Barnes Pneumatic - Daily Briefing Page

Hello everyone. I hope you've been enjoying shooting airguns. If you have pics of your outings with your Barnes guns, we'd like to share them here and on the Rendezvous site. Pics of all airguns are welcome on the Rendezvous site. We try to encourage sharing of our targets, groups, techniques, etc. We get very little material sent in, but we keep extending the invitation.

I've been continuing my trek through the series of Bison rifles which remain on the ledger. I'm getting along well. I should have one ready for field shooting soon, with the others following. I have several big bore airguns in long term testing. The slugs I refine for them, and the slight engineering changes I make; serve everyone's guns as they are completed.

I've been feeling pretty good lately. The last series of injections helped again. I have another in about a week. Rainy weather, and the late evenings, are a bear for pain ... but I've been doing pretty good.

I must still, reluctantly, decline to accept new orders. I realize this has been awkward, and frustrating both. I'm asked about it a couple of times each week. Demand far outreaches my capacity to produce the guns. I hope those of you who have taken delivery over the last 13 years, will enjoy using and sharing your experiences with those waiting, and those interested in this body of unique airguns.

Drop by the Rendezvous Forum please. Sign in for free - join in the discussion. We have vastly more readers than posters. That's a situation I'm powerless to change. The net result is that it's become yet one more area in which everyone is waiting for me to perform. I keep trying, in vain, to cause some of my previously completed work to surface for discussion and enjoyment. We'd like to see examples, if you have them.

I get mail from folks, quite often. Sometimes, when I post some thoughts, I'll get some people writing in. A few friends will tell me to keep a good thought. A couple will be horrified I ever let on that anybody is ever other than delighted, here at the magic kingdom of Barnes Pneumatic. And, you know ... if you've lived more than 30 years, that's not possible. I'm an artist, and craftsman ... I'm not the "People Whisperer". I don't have any magic touch that results in everybody skipping down the lane behind me. If there's anything that people think I "have" in the "people" category ... it's just some common sense and honesty.

I'm often told, "if someone gets impatient ... just move them on ... do their pc. and get rid of the stress". Well, I don't do that. You might do that to some guy tailgating you on the highway. You don't spend three months working on a complex project ... just to get rid of someone. I've been in business since 1974. Had alot of customers in that time. I don't make the patient people (my friends) wait; while I service the people that are gonna move on down the road, and hate me for the rest of their life no matter what I do anyway. Actually, I make sure I'm able to do my work, up to my standard, before I work on any person's gun. If someone has worked hard, to make my life miserable for awhile ... I'm not gonna work on that project again, until I've calmed down some. The work is too important. It's stressful. It has to be done correctly. I'm not going to be rattled, and make a mistake, because somebody has been on my back. I set it aside for awhile.

I've been told, many times, to just finish the thing. Don't knock yourself out ... just finish it. I don't do that either. First, I don't put my name on anything I'm not happy with. Secondly, the person who's pushing me, will probably just go sell the gun on the net anyway. It will be their way of "punishing me," for my short comings. Within a week, one of my friends, will have found the gun on the net, bought it, and sent it back to me to look over. So; I "never" just get rid of a project ... just get it done and ship it. I don't do that. Sometimes, folks will get over their impatience. Maybe something in their life lets up. Maybe it'll be something I said. It happens, and I'm always pleased if it does.

It's easy to feel alone, when you're waiting. However; it might help to know that my friends ... the people I talk to, shoot with, spend time with ... they're ALL waiting for my guns. They're the people who have gotten to know me best. And ... they're the people who see me trying to overcome obstacles, and meet my obligations. You know, it's nothing I can personally brag about ... but they're all very well educated, successful people. I don't have a bunch of "bubbas" hanging out at my shop, tearing apart cars in the back yard. They're highly successful professional people. I'm honored that they enjoy my work, and I wish I could finish their orders quicker.

Anyway. Thanks for your notes. I don't think that anyone really expects this is really a shop full of whistling elves, with storybook characters as customers. It's just real life. Trying to provide an interlude for people with very stressful lives, to enjoy a couple of hours of enjoyment.

Another cup of coffee ... I'm completing a review of these materials, and then, I'll simply refer to these posts in the future, where they apply.

I've always been honest with you readers here. Folks believe that or not. Doesn't change the fact. Here's what's going on here weekly: Most people, are waiting patiently for their gun to be finished. Some write in and just stay in touch. They realize I'm doing my best, under a load of adverse conditions. They wish their orders were farther along, but they know it will be complete one day, and they'll have it for as long as they care to keep it. They don't even mention their order. They just stay in touch. They let me know they've been following along. They might tell me they have enjoyed seeing something I've posted. One guy, however; writes in, and wants a personal status report. I immediately write back (figuring they've probably not been keeping up with the volumes of materials, explanations, and updates I've posted). I go through bringing them up to date. Takes about an hour to draft a thorough e-mail, filled with detail, going back a few months of time.

Next thing, about two minutes after I hit "send", I get a response back. Now, this is someone that could have written me weekly. They could have chatted about their kids, their dog. Anything. But, they don't want to do that. They are busy. So, they simmer, and simmer, until they boil over. Now, they've fired off the first e-mail in six months to a year. And, it's clear, they're pretty sure they've been ignored. I've responded to their mail immediately, so they dissect my mail, line by line. "You wrote this ... but I think ... " They take personal offense, to being reminded of all the materials I've already posted, and that they've already read. They want additional information. However; there is no additional information. And, the fact that there is no additional information, just makes them mad. So, they escalate their verbal irritation, and I have to try to respond ... again.

And, I do respond. Knowing full well, that I'm going to get my butt chewed. I respond to their mail, and attempt to calm the situation. However; some things can't be rectified. If people tell you that they already know you're working in pain every day ... but how's their gun coming ... then it's very difficult to come up with an answer. They already know the facts. They just don't like the facts. And, I'm not too thrilled about them either, but those are the cards I have to play.

This sort of thing, is no good for anyone. It accomplishes exactly the opposite of what the person wants. After I've been well and properly scolded ... then I'm supposed to rush out into the shop and really put my heart into their project, I guess. However; the fact is ... it effects everyone's project. I'm not just standing around, tossing darts, when this mail comes in. I'm working on somebody's rifle. I'm doing my best to make somebody's wait, well worthwhile. However; now I've had a good shaking by the scruff of the neck ... made to feel I'm surely working on the wrong thing ... and wrung out thoroughly.

This is why I post materials here ... and why I don't send endless e-mails. An e-mail seems to be an invitation to take the mail apart ... correct it ... and throw it back in my face. It just makes me less effective, and frankly, I don't feel well enough anymore to endure someone's scolding, in a politically correct manner. We've all got issues today. I can barely watch the news anymore. I've got medical bills out the wazhooo. Everybody has something. However; I can end up being a nice target ... because I'm accessible ... and because people know I respond to their mails.

So; here's the bottom line, I guess. I write everything I have to offer, here on the site and the Rendezvous Forum. I don't write personal e-mail updates, because it's just like tossing a match at a gasoline fog. Seems many people today are just primed and ready to rip into somebody that makes themselves available. If you've developed a personal friendship with me, then you know it. I enjoy talking to you. And, you've been good enough not to remind me, every time we talk, exactly to the day, of how long you've been waiting. If you've decided that you don't care to be a friend, that's fine. You've had the ability to contact me thru this site, 24/7, since 1999. Please don't simmer, and simmer, and then one day write me a crappy e-mail because you've had a lousy day at work, and are looking for someone to dump on. It will only make things worse here. I have to be able to have a clear mind to do this sort of work. If just one person is chewing on me, over and over, for a week at a time ... it just pulls everything down.

Yeah .. I know ... my coffee's gone too. Now ... this will certainly make someone mad. However; over the next couple of days, maybe they'll consider how chewing on me helped anything. I don't run around with a white cane and a tin cup. I'm not milking my lousy back here. However; it's very real. It's really screwed up my life. It's not my fault. I can't fix it. And, there are days, when I'm already working thru gritted teeth, that I'm pretty darned sure that I'm doing all I can to meet my obligations. And, I don't think there's alot of people that would be working thru misery to do this kind of detailed work. It doesn't help, when someone expects more from me thru the application of a good scolding. It only takes one person, once in awhile. You're seeing work completed, on a regular basis. It can only belong to one person at a time.

Thank you, to all the readers. Thank you to all of the ledger sitters, who write in, share their lives, and don't even mention their orders. Thanks for your trust. Thank you for the genuine friendships I've made thru this site. Some of you, I didn't even meet face to face, for years. Some I've never net ... yet we converse and both enjoy it. I'm told I've become a heck of a craftsman. I'm probably about as good with people, as most other artists though. We're best in the shop. ;?)

Couple of more reminders: Models of guns. I get asked ... "hey ... what happened to this model?" Or ... "I ordered this model ... but I haven't seen any new information on them". As I've mentioned before ... I don't make big production runs of models. I can't do that, and provide the variety I've offered. Sometimes, I only make one or two of a given model gun. Doesn't mean there was a thing wrong with it. It means that I have alot more ideas to make, and people often enjoy absorbing those new ideas - in place of the model they originally ordered. I don't come on and tell all the changes people make. Don't post all the conversation I have with customers asking what I've been thinking about in the background. I do, occasionally, get my buttstock chewed because someone's seen a new model being shipped out. It's not a made up story, that almost nobody has remained with their original order. Anybody can. Most don't. Sorry ... that's just the fact.

Mostly, people have been very patient, because they can see that I'm doing all I can to meet my obligations, and they see the quality of the work going out. I appreciate it. As you'll note on the catalog page, I ceased taking ledger orders 12/22/07. That was a pretty big move for any business to take.

Thanks for reading. Drop by the Forum when you care to. There are alot of threads there, which feature individual models of guns, and they are labeled such.

I've placed all the information that exists, on the Rendezvous Forum format. You are right, my bad, I haven't posted enough here lately.

Actually, that's a completely no win situation for me. I'm 54 years old. I've done A LOT of business in that time. I own a home. Have several cars and trucks. Deal with a vast number of suppliers. Have owned businesses with 30 employees at once. And, in all that time ... I have NEVER dealt with a single person, or company, who has provided so much thorough information, in such a complete and accessible format, as I do. Information that is at your keyboard, 24/7 ... just waiting for your convenience. Information, and entertainment ... free of charge. Yet; I am constantly reminded that I haven't "been in touch" with a particular person in "some quoted length of time". It's a simple no win, but it's a terrible shame. Because, the people who tell me this, genuinely feel ignored. Some are convinced that they've heard "nothing".

Mostly, it's because they simply won't read the materials I post. I've ALWAYS and ONLY been a one man business. That's never been hidden or disguised. EVERYONE, to a man, found me right here on this very website. They got to know me here. They developed an opinion about my personality here, and agreed with my business practices, right here. They studied my work right here. Made their decision right here. And yet, somehow ... after that fact ... information posted here becomes a bother to absorb. Somehow, it's less valid than if I sit for an hour and type the exact same information into an e-mail. And, it becomes an unspoken obligation, on me, to become something completely different.

The position it puts me in is an impossible one. When someone writes, and seems to feel "out of the loop", My first reaction is to simply find it amazing. I'm not sure what to write. Do they think that what I post here is somehow not a complete picture? Perhaps they feel this is for public consumption, and the "real story" is available privately? I'm never certain. And, there's then the danger of offending them, when repeating things I've posted time and again. There's the danger of my mail seeing to be clinical and cold .. because I'm repeating things I've written ten times over. And, I'm trying to cover a six month period of time, and everything I've done in that time ... in one e-mail. Things that I've posted, in "up to the minute detail", all the while it was taking place.

Puts me in the position of having to come up with one "Pulitzer Prize" of an e-mail. Brief. Concise. Saying exactly what the person wants to hear, without repeating information they already know. Justify the passage of time. Not let myself open to a dozen suggestions of how I "should have" proceeded. In short, it's impossible.

So, I sit for an hour. I try to be thorough. I try to be respectful. I try not to seem cold. I try to convey my current situation. All of which, I've already done, at the molecular level, over and over again.

Currently, I'm working on a group of Bison guns. These are older orders. I've really appreciated the patience of all of my customers. As I've written before: I didn't accept all of these orders, in my current health condition. I am meeting those orders in my current health condition. And that condition is: I live on pain medication ... to treat the chronic pain from the degenerative disc disease which is destroying the lower four discs in my spine. It's extremely painful. I wake up in pain. I work in pain. I go to bed in pain. "Chronic Pain" ... doesn't mean that ... gee, every few months, this hurts ... right here. Chronic pain means that the pain NEVER ends. The medications turn it down. They have to be taken just right. They don't make me "loopy" or "high". They make me come into view, of the low side of normal. That's the best it gets. Along with the degenerative disc disease, I suffer from Fibromyalgia. You ever have this feeling? It's Spring. You get out the mower ... and it won't start. So, you pull on the cord for half an hour. Pull your back. Then, you mow the entire yard. Makes your thighs achy. Since the grass was high, you then hand rake the entire yard. Makes your shoulders achy. Then, you bag all the piles of grass that you raked up. You carry them to the curb. Makes your neck ache. Well, you put them all together ... that's the general feeling of Fibromyalgia. That's the "default feeling" of your life.

It took years and years, of me feeling that way, and Drs. poking around for a cause with me. Maybe I was arthritic. And I was put on a medication that darned near killed me. BEXTRA - look it up. I got off of that, and they started sending me to therapy. Which made everything hurt worse. The X-Rayed. They took MRIs. They tried this and that. And THEN ... they came out with LYRICA. Yeah ... you've seen the TV commercials. The people that said they just felt like curling up in a chair and sucking their thumb ... but LYRICA helped them get going again.

So; sucks to be me. haha. But ... I'm working. That work speaks for itself. Alot of it is shown over on the forum, and in all these pages linked on the grid at the top of this page.

Please read the materials posted here. Please join in and read the Rendezvous Forum. Heck ... it's mostly a running Daily Briefing. People simply will NOT share the use of my work. They either won't use it, or won't share it. So; myself and a few of my friends, have to continually post my work in the field. I post what I'm working on. I post what I've done in the past. I show the work being used. And, I endlessly ask for people to take my work out of their closets, and shoot it. Otherwise, nobody knows I've ever done anything.

I just went over all of this material again, in this post, in order to fill in those who might come read, and not go back to previous posts. This is all I can do. I can't personally contact each person, and go thru a thorough weekly report. I never said I'd do that. THIS is my personal contact. I sit here, and take up very valuable time, in order that this material is available for your convenience. Again, I'd challenge you to think of any other business you deal with, who does more. Then, consider that I'm just ONE guy, doing everything you see here ... and behind the scenes. With my wife's help in the office, we do all of this. And, we hope you enjoy coming here to be entertained, and informed ... at your convenience, at the touch of your keyboard.

Lastly: I continue to work in the most efficient manner I can devise. I don't set up, make one isolated part, then tear down that set up - move one - make another different isolated part - tear down that set-up, etc., etc. That would be the most hopelessly inefficient method to meet my obligations. I also have offered incredible variety to my customers. I can't stand to make the same thing over and over. So; the best I can do is to have made "groups" of barrels. One of them is for a given customer. I make groups of pressure reservoirs. I thread groups of reservoirs. One of each is for a given customer. Etc., etc. The parts are marked with a number, and cataloged. When I have a group of parts, I do a bluing session. Along the way, I do some maintenance for older guns. When it's your turn, you won't want to be told you have to wait three years to have the seals replaced in your gun. So, things come in and go out. I try to work on similar guns. Right now, it's Bisons.

I can't look at hundreds of cataloged parts, and divine a date of completion. I can't project tool breakage, bad shop days, or health issues. When it's done, it's done. Time robbed from me is lost. I can't "make it up". Loose a day, and everything (everywhere) gets pushed back a day. Time is only "made up" on TV (in the last five minutes of the show .. all the pressure and sweating is justified with a miracle pull off ... every time). That's fantasy. A part that takes five hours (if all goes well) ... takes five hours - period. I can't "hurry up" and make it in two hours. A gun that takes 300 un-interrupted hours to complete, can't be made in 100 interrupted hours.

There's only the intention to explain, and to bring to date here. Thank you for reading all of this. I sincerely appreciate it. As I've mentioned before; I don't sit here, and try ... to ... put ... Pp-hAaaine ... into my writing. "... must ... tyyppe ...phaaster!!!" ... ;?) Hey ... my writing doesn't "sound" like my hip hurts! haha. That's it though. That's all there is. And, I've now spent 2 1/2 hours answering e-mail ... and posting this, in yet another attempt to NOT ignore anyone.

Please join us over on the Rendezvous forum. I'll also try to post more here too. However; I'm me, no matter if I'm saying it here, over on the forum, or in an e-mail. Thanks very much for checking in. I sincerely hope you find enjoyment in my work. I value your interest, very much. I've just been sandbagged by more than I ever anticipated.

I've been working mostly on Bison and Tundra parts lately. These are the oldest type of pcs. which I needed parts to complete sets. I'm welding and carving a couple of Bison steel receivers once again. There's some Scout based pcs. as well which I'm doing for Bodio and Niccum. Thank you for your patience. The months just evaporate.

Thank you, once again, to our troops and their families. Your support, allows us to live lives enjoying basic liberties. We also have luxuries beyond the experience of 99% of humanity which has ever lived. We are blessed.

I'll take this opportunity to thank my God for his saving grace, and the resurrection of Christ. Happy Easter everyone.

I posted these materials on the Rendezvous Forum last evening, but I wanted to put them here too ... in the event you missed the other post.

I'm finishing up a fine 25 Stainless Appaloosa for a ledger customer. I've been trying to find time to complete the stock carving. The rifle is 7-10 days from complete. Nice and light. Quickly and easily comes to your shoulder. Smooth and crisp trigger. Dead quiet as well.

Have no fear ... the rat is clay. ;?) This is a really fine example of the Appaloosa model of carbine. It features mirror polished Stainless Steel reservoir, as well as a mirror polished stainless steel shroud system over the Barnes 25 caliber barrel. All billet work is polished bright as well. Trigger is two stage match grade. A very sweet gun.

Last week, I purchased some "duct seal" from Home Depot (electrical department), to use for silent bullet trap use and to mold some clay varmint targets. While sitting out many hours this week with severe back pain, I decided to model a quick "shop rat", and use the Appaloosa for some target shooting. I needed a diversion. ;?)

The stock is a nice light weight mahogany, and I began relief carving of the pistol grip area some time back. I'd just cleared the way for this custom rifle to be the next Barnes out the door (Being so nearly complete).

I tossed one of my small 4X shotgun scopes on the gun, and took a few quick sight in shots. I was ready for the rat! And, dispatched his with a nice clean shot. The gun loves Hornady #3 buckshot ball. I dug out the ball, repaired the rat with duct seal, and shot a Kodiak pellet to the same point of impact.

Here are the ball and pellet - retrieved from the duct seal rat. Both penetrated about the same distance in this material that absorbs energy so well. Both ball and pellet showed very nice rifling cuts. They showed compression of the lead and a frosted appearance on the domes. A fun exercise.

I'll have this one ready to go out next. Polish the hammer tube cap, front barrel ring, and finish the stock.

I've been involved in a comprehensive inventory of the PCP parts in the shop. Not the little springs and machine screws, but the big stuff. The barrels, receivers, towers, valve bodies, reservoir tubes, hammer tubes, frames, intake valves, stocks, etc. Things that have taken from a few hours to a few days to several weeks to make; and then lay back on the shelves until the gun sets were complete. There's a vast amount of these parts. More than I even realized. And, the cataloging of them had fallen behind.

I'm bringing that all to date. Allowing me to better organize the completion of all the projects. I made the choice, years ago, to produce groups of parts as efficiently as I might ... in spite of the fact that there were two dozen different models involved. Instead of "bison parts" and "ranger parts", I tried to see "welded assemblies" and "lathe parts". There were weeks where I sanded, weeks where I made barrels, etc. Still, all slowed tremendously, due to the complexity of so many different models. It's been a stressful work model, where I'd have preferred the leisurely pace of making one gun at a time. But, in a small and simple shop, the model of "one at a time" was turning into way too much set-up and tear down time for even the lowest efficiency expectations.

I've kept to the plan, literally for years now. And, the inventory is showing that it's paid off. It's extremely encouraging, yet I still have to finish the plan. So; I ask, please don't everybody call and request a projected completion date now. I know what I have completed, yet I still can't guess how long it will take to make the final missing parts for each project set. I am, however; now mostly able to work with the sets for each single gun, as it nears completion.

You'd be amazed at how many parts there are in one of these guns! It also seems that every time I think I have a day's work ahead, it turns into 4-10 days. So - OK, ya got me. I make a great gun, but I'm lousy at projecting time. I just work until it's correct, and then it's done. That's why I don't work at a large engineering firm bidding jobs for them. ;?) haha. Although, I might be able to get a job at NASA doing that. I read an article this morning in the Jan. Scientific American magazine, that noted that their $650 millon dollar Mars Science Lab Rover (car sized) had become the $2 Billion Rover. And the $1 billion dollar James Webb Space Telescope (replacing Hubble) became the $4.5 Billion dollar project. So; evidently there are people far above my pay grade that experience "exactly" what I do in completing projects. However; BIG DIFFERENCE ... nobody has ever paid me one additional nickle. I eat the overages.

Hope this has been encouraging. It has been for me. Another day (or four) to complete the inventory, and then back to it. ;?)

Testing the completed Delta 32 SS and the reassembled rebuild of the 45 Squire for a ledger customer. That's right ... you'd want me to do it for you too. He bought it represented "as new". It had alot of cosmetic issues instead. He sent it to me two years ago. So, I didn't exactly "drop everything" ... but it's now complete. And it is "as new" now.

Also: a bit of clarification. I've gotten reports that, when folks mention myself or my work, around the hobby, they're getting reports that I'm on my last leg. That's a bit of a stretch. My issues are associated with chronic pain. It's a bummer to mention as often as it seems to apply, but it's a fact and it does effect everything with my business here.

Quickly - for clarity: You know that horrible achiness associated with the flu? When everything aches all over, and you just feel like you were run over by a truck? Well, that's what fibromyalgia feels like. And, it just stays - doesn't go away. It's worse with cold or rain (because the barometric pressure changes). And it seems worst with activity. But ... pain meds knock the edge off of it. Then; I have a bunch of bad discs in my back and neck. They physically pinch nerve bundles, and that causes alot of pain wherever those nerve bundles feed. Pain meds knock the edge off of that too. And, epidural injections reduce the swelling caused to the nerve bundles. It all helps, so long as you schedule it correctly, and can take the side effects of the meds. So; I'm not "sick". Guess I'm alot more lucky that many. I just live with endless pain that's sometime's more, sometimes less - never gone. I manage it with injections and pain pills. Could be worse.

Just wanted you to have to facts. Not fun talk. But ... mis-information is a killer. Don't let it suck the fun out of enjoying my work. I put even more into it than I used to. I want you to enjoy it.

Now ... grab that link above - and you'll see the gun that will ship out next week. I hope to be able to final test it Saturday. I just talked to the owner a few minutes ago. He's got work lined up for it immediately, in the nuisance varmint control business down south.

Hope you have realized (from checking in on the Rendezvous Forum), that I've been back for about 10 days. I've been swamped with work and some unwelcome obligations regarding that legal mess left by my deceased parent's estate. But - I'm dealing with it all. No point in beating that around again. It just sucks up days like a black hole though.

There's pics of my trip, and a Grey Fox I took in Missississippi. The Forum link is up above in the header.

I'm finishing up a nice 32 Delta for Van Brown. He'll be using it in his business of problem destructive varmint removal. He's been waiting for some time, and we're nearly there. I'm just finishing up the stock.

Got a lousy chest cold on the plane coming home. That's gone now. Thank God. Working on keeping the meds balanced. Getting along pretty well. Always need more energy, less pain, and more hours. But - there's still a good bit of work getting done.

I'll be away for the next week. I'm making a delivery, and have been invited to enjoy a hunt as well. It's great field testing for the guns, in all conditions. It's also a great break that I've been looking forward to for some time.

I'll be out of touch. Since I always answer mail quickly, I didn't want anyone to feel slighted or confused if they wrote. Things are primed to resume shortly.

I got in a quick range session yesterday afternoon. Final testing on this Rendezvous 25 Mag. I also wanted to get some BC numbers on it's Barnes slugs.

I first shot slugs across the chronograph at 3 yards. Then moved the assembly, and shoot them across the chronograph at 42 yards. I recorded the temp., and the elevation. Jerry (Surefire Casting) ran the numbers thru the Chairgun program and got the BC of .o49 for this particular series of Barnes/Surefire 87.2 grain 9 ring 25 caliber slugs. Pretty Slippery!

I've made up a quick big bore slug trap. The internal scroll and baffles decelerate the slugs until they are dumped in a line under the trap for recycling. Works great.

I also fired a few rounds from the 45/08. You almost can't shoot a bad group with the gun.

Meanwhile ... keep up to date with the Airgun Rendezvous Forum - operated by the friends of Barnes Pneumatic.

Please look at the Airgun Rendezvous Forum to see a couple of new Barnes guns about to ship out soon.

Look at the Delta 32 post, and the Rendezvous 25 Magnum post. These rifles are in testing, and nearly complete. The Delta is shown in just it's blocked out and inletted stock. Enough to go to the range for ballistic testing.

Delta 32 Stealth. Rough blocked out unfinished stock. Designed for 7 accurate shots @ 125 fpe.

There are a couple of more nearly ready as well. I've been doing everything I can to get them out.

Another few words about my schedule please. As expected, 2009 has not gone without notice. Holidays, and the new year, always refresh everyone's awareness that they are waiting. This pattern has gone unchanged since 1974, when I opened the business (building custom furniture at that time). I understand, very well. And, I'm here 18/7 for your communications. Ask anyone ... anyone ... and you'll find that I answer my mail very quickly, and at any hour of the day or night. When I come in from work, at 11:59 Saturday night ... for example ... you'll get an answer at around 1 am. I do not hide from anyone.

Please allow me, once again, to clarify what's going on. This page is my tool to talk to everyone. Yet, here's the difficult part ... it's nearly impossible for me to portray to you - the reader ... the current state of my life and work. I try to keep these pages interesting, and happy. You all have lives, and you come here for a break from them. However; if I write in a positive and happy tone ... and someone comes in to read, bummed out after a hard day at work; it's evidently easy to react as if I'm 25 - healthy as an OX, getting rich, having a blast, and ... living the high life, all the while laughing at the "little people". `;?)

I'm told I write in a very clear fashion. People tell me, quite often, that they enjoy reading my stories and like my method of writing. Thanks very much. That's a blessing and a curse. I'd be better off to write in a manner which better portrayed chronic pain. Let's see: "...must ..... work ..... harder .... ! Ggasph ..... musst ..... grit teeeethh .... aaahh, my leg!!! .... " But then, I don't do that. If I'm sitting here, typing, with my left hip feeling like it's just taken a tracer round, the keyboard doesn't display that. If I write in a cheery, positive tone, who knows?

Now. I know it simply drives everyone crazy, that I can't foresee which days I'm going to be in agony at 2:30 pm, and which days I'll be able to work until mightnight. I just won't predict which days I'll be at the Drs., or when I'll require another series of injections. Don't know, in advance, how they will effect me the next time. Which sort of pain will next week be: like I've been stomped by a bull, or like I have a spear in my hip all week? Will it be just the hip, or involve the entire left leg and ham too?Will I have muscle cramps, or such a stiff neck that I can't bare to look to the left? Honestly, I just don't know. I can't predict. Haven't been able to for 6 years. I just deal with them as they arrive, and am very glad to see them leave. When I'm functional, I'm able to work. That's the fail-safe for customers. I don't work on your project, when I can't work up to my own professional standards. I've said before, nobody's told me to work on their gun when I'm gritting my teeth and catching my breath in pain. So, I don't try. That's maturity. Knowing I'll be functional faster; if I take a pain pill, get the weight off my feet, and return to work in 90 minutes. Far better than dragging on and ruining three day's work because I wasn't thinking clearly thru the pain.

Too often I take those times to answer e-mail. I have to stop that. Because, when I come dragging up here to the office, having been forced out of the shop by pain, and I have to go thru all of this material again privately, it's depressing. I can't just work on project #12 ... set a date to mail it ... and then ignore the pain, ignore the Drs., ignore the on-going legal mess I'm still processing for my parent's estate (If you are not in the middle of one; legal messes drag out for years ... it's the tactics used, and the Politically Correct Bull.... that keep anything rational from ever happening). So; I can't ignore the little items like family members in the hospital, furnaces that have frozen fuel lines, tools that demand maintenance ... you get the idea. Can't just live in a glass bubble until some artificial calander date arrives and I'm in line at the post office with a crate under my arm. I can't just deal with all the little crap of my life, on my own time, because I never go home from work. I never have my "own time". I don't work for a big corporation where there are four hundred Garys. All of my customers came to a small one man shop - making 100% "in house" artwork. Gary's life is the life of Barnes Pneumatic.

I got a great mail from a reader in the Netherlands this morning. I'm going to take out the name, and copy it here. It means a great deal to me. He titled it "Your story is my story"

Dear Gary,

You don't know me, but i read always your story's on internet, I also was always at work,
day and night, but sins (since) several years i live with pain because an exedant (accident) with a machine
that I used for my work in my free time, sins than I use morphine for my pain and I
travel all over the world to visit doctors to help me. I make documentaries about people
that live in war zones, and about people that live in countries where is no freedom of
believing in God.
I was always a active shooter with air guns, but because my problems with my hand I'm not
able to shoot with not precharhed rifles. I love your work it's amazing what a talent and
gift you have to make this kind of air rifles. I hope you can continuing your work and
that the pain is not bringing your completely down.
Greetings, XXXXX XXXXXX, from The Netherlands

This means a great deal to me because ... here's a fella that really knows the reality of having their life turned upside down with pain, like mine was six years ago. Knows the treachery of having your own body turn against you and not allow you to finish something that you are excited about. Or, forcing you to work in misery to finish something being driven by an arbitrary time line.

The reason I occasionally review this stuff, is in a hope that it will help people understand that ... first ... nobody is being ignored here. And, in the hope that people can understand that nobody is more frustrated with the passage of time than myself. I'm doing all I can. I don't post a bunch of videos of myself limping around like a Civil War soldier. No pics of me gritting my teeth and taking a handful of pills. Just reviewing this stuff is a drag to me. So; I portray myself and my work as others may enjoy using it. Yet, it's just amazing to me, the number of people that must feel ... if I can post pictures of exquisite items I've made by hand, then I shouldn't have any problem that can't be put on hold. Can't just simply set a date ... and meet it.

Well, I'm doing my best. And, the work is turning out very nice. I'm not "milking" my condition. Not asking for anybody's sympathy. Just, once again, explaining that I live in a real world that was not of my design. I "adapt" to each day. "Multi-task" with the best of them. I told someone recently ... I'm doing a magnificant job with a nearly impossible task. Yet; the calendar just hangs there on the wall as the Judge, Jury, and Executioner.

I'll quit with another recent pic. Thanks for reading. I appreciate you taking the time to interface with my world. Hope you always fine something of interest when you do.

Hope you had a fine Holiday season. Yes ... I know ... it's 2009. I hope it's very good to us all.

I'm sure the changing year calls for an update (brief as possible). Get some coffee.

Every once in awhile, I need to give an accounting as to the state of things here. My life style has changed dramatically, over the last 6-8 years. I used to be able to simply work without end, no matter the nature of the work. People still tell me they wonder if I ever sleep (from the work displayed and posts), but things are quite different than they used to be. Now, I work as long as I'm able, rather than until the job is complete. Big difference that came about because of a condition known as fibromyalgia and a series of badly worn discs in my back.

Briefly; it all started about the time of Standing Stone One. I worked very hard to process that festival. I was having alot of neck pain, arm pain, and numbness in the arms and hands. And, unknown to us, we were in for a long bumpy ride. That was due to terribly pinched nerves in my neck, from two bad discs there. They pinched the nerve bundles that go to the arms and hands. After nearly a year of Drs., pills, therapy, x-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, and multiple opinions; we decided to go ahead with surgery. A double cervical fussion corrected that part of the problem, and I ended up with titanium plates and screws holding my neck together. Anybody that has to trouble shoot complex systems will tell you that; when you have multiple issues (each playing a role), you have to find and correct them one at a time. So; the surgery fixed some things, but did nothing for the horrible body aches I'd fought, long before the neck and numb hand issues arrived. And, it would be three more years before someone would figure out that I had fibromyalgia, and longer yet before there was an approved drug to treat the illness. In the mean time, I had carpal tunnel surgery for one wrist. A year or two later, I had surgery for the other. Back pain, leg pain, hip pain ... took a long time to go through all the possiblities before nailing down the four additional bad back discs that were fighting me every day. Once that brought me to crutches, it became clear enough to treat. Then began the study, opinions, and recommendations. There were alot of nasty months in there before we got around to epidural injections and pain pills.

Well, that's enough of the details. There's that much more left unsaid. It's only time to review it because it has turned 2009. People are waiting for ledger orders to be completed. And, I'm working on that. I'm also maintaining everything required to process the business at the same time. Add to the mix, my court appointed duties of processing my parent's estate (with related legal matters). Each of my parents passed on, over the last five years. My father, having had years of illness; and my mother, having gone through the effects of Alhtzheimers for about five years. The decisions my mom made during her illness, lead to a multi-year legal mess (that still isn't complete). We've had a full plate of things we never ordered.

The majority of Barnes ledger orders are very far along. I choose, years ago, to process them together for effeciency. I cut off the orders on the most time consuming designs several years ago. One year ago, I ceased accepting orders for new product, while I've worked to complete the ledger. Far from the business winding down, demand has only increased. There will come a time for new orders, but now yet.

That brings us up to the current environment. I continue the pause in accepting orders. I continue to process the existing ledger. I continue with the course of epidural steriod injections for the damaged back discs, avoiding back surgery until I can't stand it any longer. This is at the recomendations of five Doctors ... so I comply. I have a war chest of drugs that do a good job. I live with the side effects and adjust daily/weekly to my condition. Drugs that are effective for extreme pain, make you horribly fatigued once the pain dies down. Discontinue maintenance dosages of pain pills when you feel better, and you "fall off" the curve so that, when the pain returns later in the day ... you are really in for it.

I'm not a broken down old horse. Not in any danger to my life. I just have to monitor, adjust, medicate, inject, grit my teeth, and then rest when I can't function. I can't predict, from day to day, what tomorrow's ride will be. And, I apologize for the frustration, but all of the above makes it impossible to project productivity. Yet; the products being completed, continue to bring a light to the eye of those seeing, holding, and using them. So; the plan is to continue on the same path.

I hope you enjoy seeing the work shown. Hope you enjoy the reports when I get afield to test the products. Hope those of you who own Barnes products, enjoy using them in the field. We always enjoy having you share your own trips to the range and afield, so send them in and I'll post them here.

I put all this up today, in order that you might know that I'm aware of the new year. Well aware of the date. I'm pressing on. I thank you for checking here, for the materials I present ... rather than making me go through the same materials individually.

There are breaks in each day, when I enjoy looking in on our new interactive airgun forum. http://www.airgunrendezvous.com Join us if you wish. It's free. It's owned and monitored by Barnes Pneumatic, and my friends and clients .. but it's not only for Barnes products.

I'd like to thank all of you for checking in during the past year. I sincerely hope you've found some relaxation and entertainment looking thru the pages. I wish I had something for everybody who'd like to have a part of my work. I still have new orders on a holding pattern, while I catch up on earlier orders. However; I want you to know that I very much appreciate your interest, and I put in all the energy I have to give. Thank you for your patience.

Our twin grandsons were born several days ago. We were blessed with two healthy boys. They were pre-mature, so will be in the hospital care for awhile, but they're healthy. A real blessing for this Christmas.

We hope you'll drop by our new forum and see what's there. Register (for free) and join in the discussions. It's been enjoyable to sit down with a cup of coffee and check in from time to time. Since it's 24/7, it's a nice alternative during work, and evening breaks. http://www.airgunrendezvous.com And, it's a nice way to extend the information on the website here, and talk about developments, without having to take the time to draft formal new pages to the home site.

This year, we've also tried to share some of the Barnes development work, in a way that doesn't involve me taking away from the past orders. I've tooled for hundreds of slug designs thru the years. Proofed them in the field. I've provided molds for all of them. However; most people just don't care to cast. So, we've hooked up with a good friend and client, who uses my my molds and sizing dies, to provide a casting service for my customers. In addition, I released a proven 45 caliber slug design for commercial availability (works well in the 200-400 fpe range), and a series of heavy 25 caliber slugs (60-120fpe range) for commercial sale. These slugs enhance the performance of commercial 25 and 45 PCPs. Surefire Casting can meet your needs. We'll add new products as the need arises.

Just an update. Health wise, I've had a couple of additional series of injections. They went better this time. Still quite unpleasant, but not brutal. They've turned down the pain. It still flares and wanes. Balancing the meds is always a pain. What's barely enough when I'm in pain, it way too much between bouts of pain. So, there's either pain or fatigue. Back off too much, and I get way behind, so the next round of meds has to catch up before it helps. Endless game.

We've had alot of folks stop by. Few leave any comment. If you've taken the time to check us out, we invite you again to join in the conversations. Start a new topic if you'd like to discuss some phase of our airgun sport.

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season. We're about to welcome twin Grandsons into our family. Any day now. Quite a family Christmas gift. Keep the family in your Christmas prayers please.

Thank you for your support, friendship, and patience thru the last year. I can assure you that it's appreciated. Nobody has been overlooked. I'm being as productive as I am able.

Behind the scenes, we've been working on producing our own interactive forum. Join us to discuss your airgun interests, of any make or model.

This is a site owned by Barnes Pneumatic. It is not, however; only about Barnes products. We ask only that everyone be respectful of all others. That's it.

If you've tried forums before, and not been comfortable, try ours. This will be monitored by some of my friends (who are all customers as well). We're all mature guys. We've been around a few times. We're also not into nonsense. We just wanted a place where we can enjoy each other's company, and share our stories.

It's my birthday. My wife, Kelly, arranged for a surprise day out for me. She took me to a huge Bass Pro Shops in Harrisburg, Pa. After a fine breakfast out, we drove up there and spent around 4 hours looking thru the two floors. I'd never been in a Bass Pro ..., and enjoyed it very much.

Dinner at my favorite little diner ... and it was a great birthday. Thanks Kelly - wonderful idea, and a perfect day.

Kelly and I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. We hope you can find enjoyment, and a grateful attitude during the holiday.

While we spend huge efforts "correcting" and "maintaining" ... we've been dropped into a good place and time, relative to history. We haven't had to personally fight the issues so many face, and have faced. For this, we're grateful even for the things that "didn't happen".

Seems to work. It "Autoplays" though. I don't like that - sorry. I'l have to learn how to fix that, so you choose to play it instead. (You can use the little Square Button to the right of the Play button, to stop the play).

In the clip, I took out the dead spaces between shots. The gun is a single shot.

Hope you enjoyed it. I'm relearning the movie stuff for this new computer and format.

Sorry, that range session quickly showed me that I needed to make some adjustments. And then, I never got back here. However; here's some pics for you. This is the 45 Nitro Express which is just about ready to ship.

I'm sorry I forgot yesterday, to thank all of our veterans for their service. Kelly and I very much appreciate your service to our country. God Bless you.

I did get to go shooting Saturday afternoon as well. Jerry came by. We had to do some service work to the molds he casts for all of us. By the time we got to the range, we were loosing light. After setting up, we just turned his truck lights on the targets and shot from the War Wagon for a couple of hours. We had a good shoot and printed some good targets too! I'll grab a couple to show you later with today's pics.

Getting as much done as possible. Some rough spots with pain, but overall, feeling pretty well. Thanks.

Keith (from Miami) was able to drop by and pick up his rifle. We were able to take the War Wagon out for a quick range verification before he headed to the airport.

Hey ... you like the crazy background stories of what makes these come together ...

Well, I dashed out to verify my final work with a quick range session. As things would have it, the mounted scope bell, struck the breech cover as it retracted. Nutz. Well, I'll shim it just a bit. I open the wooden tool box cover, and the container of super-glue had decided, at some point, to leak into the tool tray. Gluing all the tools together, and to the tray. Lovely. ;?) So, I chip free the allen wrench set.

Here's a pic, out the back of the War Wagon, from over it's shooting bench. Fortunately, the 50 yard backer was somewhat more visible than this, but let's say, it was "late dusk".

But, the rifle performed well. I got it sighted in, and all was well. And, that's how ya make a PCP rifle. ;?)

Even got to attend a shoot I was invited to, and deliver the rifle in person. Here's Karl making friends with the beast he ordered from the ledger, way back when. And, how about that ... we're still friends. It can be done. ;?)

I had a nice weekend shoot down south where it was warm! And, back to cold and dreary up here in Md. today.

Changed out my fuel oil tank for the shop (it rusted out if you can believe it) ... and I'm waiting for fuel oil while working with no heat! Burrr. Cold nose and aching hip!

Just a note. My e-mail is fouled up. Reason unknown. Near as I can tell, it's with the ISP. We'll get it sorted out. If you've tried to contact me yesterday or today ... I didn't get it. Just hold the mail and resend in as soon as they sort it out. I've done all the checking on my end, and notified the ISP. No reponse (which tells me they are having trouble).

I've been feeling somwhat better, and burning alot of hours. Let's see ... one of the things was ... a 45/08 light hunting rifle format ... (Louis)

I rolled out the War Wagon right before dark the other evening. Just enough light to get a couple of chrono readings and proof the bullet/power/accuracy.

It shot the 290 grain Bishop @ 814 fps for 427fpe. That's over spec. Let's see ... that was @ 3,000-3,100 psi I think.

These are the first out of the box numbers. I've not tuned a thing. Hey - I must have done this before!!

Shot just fine too. That's with a 4X shop shotgun scope slapped on the rail. The holes look "smeared" because the backer was shot up, and provided lousy support for the tag board overlay. It had to compress the paper before punching it - thus the double smear look.

Never to be trusted with a sharpie in my pocket ... this dragon appeared. I just guesstimated the aim spot as the "ball" at the left.

Fired off three @ 50 yards with the 4X scope. (Hey ... ya can't see very well with 4X!!) I better spring for a couple of new shop scopes.

I also have a couple that are so close they hurt. The 100 fpe Delta Ranger (Brown), and the Stainless Appaloosa (Groot). If your name isn't here, it's not lost. I'm keeping the lights on, working every hour I can, and making sure I never enjoy anything. I've made a committment to stay miserible until every ledger order is shipped. ;?)

I ran across these pics while working the site. I've had a couple of e-mail conversations with a friend regarding carving. Thought I'd post these pistol grip pics again.

Well, that was two years ago. I should've known not to post anything that resembled me enjoying anything.

I try to keep the site here, as something you might enjoy reading when you sit down from your day. I don't think you want to hear an endless string of whining. Don't think you want pics of me leaning on my cane. Maybe sorting thru eight prescription bottles. Maybe a shot of me in one of the little hospital robes with the back ou..... No? O.K. Just checking. ;?)

So ... we move on. I get the epidural injections as often as the medical establishment will allow them to pump my spinal canal full of steroids, without killing the surrounding bone. I eat the pain pills and go back to work.

A reminder. I've never gotten a "tip" from any account. I get the cost, to the penny, and when that's come in a few dollars at a time ... I'm done. It's paid for. I hold the price. Now, if it's not done then (and yes ... it's not) ... then I'm on my own. The living expenses are mine. The medical expenses are mine. No tips. Therefore; if anybody worried I was getting rich ... add on another year or two of living expenses and medical bills to the equation - starting with the same money ;?)

So, now ... would anybody like to see what the hands will still do, once the pain has been beaten back for a time ...

I thought it wouldn't hurt for me to revisit a nice memory form a couple of my visits there. Hope you enjoy seeing the pics again.

Well, I could use some of this again. An evening around the fire after having decided to give all the deer a break in the woods for the day. ;?)

My host, and one of the 4WD electric buggies in which we rode the logging trails. Note ... we were heavily armed!

One of the ponds my host dug on his property. How's 30' deep sound to get you thru dry weather.

Tomorrow, I go get Epidural Injections again. The second set in this series. Oh Joy.

So - I decided to treat myself to some more range time this evening. I rolled the war wagon out about 6:30 pm.

Thought I'd try some longer ranges with this 58 Hornet Slug. I shot one out there to get an idea of the placement. Tossed up a target and shot a group. I misjudged my exact placement on the target ... but how's that for 3 slugs at 80 yards ... with a 4 power scope yet!

Sure ... I knew you'd demand 100 yards ... Here's the prepared target face when I moved the backer from 80 to 100 yards ....

And I went back to the trailer/bench and printed these 5 on it. Lots of enjoyable walking to a range session.

The 4X is getting hard to see at 100 yards. That top hole is just an eye-lash difference in hold on 4X. Yeah - if I'm gonna take this hunting rifle and shoot target, I need more glass.

Yes ... I'm pretty pleased with that. For laying the gun across a bag with a 4X scope ... hehe. Not too shabby.

When I leave the range as dusk approaches ... I expect to see deer. (Middle of the pic). Hummmm ... 'bout 100 yards I'd say ..... ;?)

Well, the trailer set-up is letting me go to the range more often. That's great fun.

I decided to go shooting this late afternoon. I towed the "War Wagon" over to the range field. I've made a few changable additions in order to use this box trailer as a mobile range platform. Helps alot with all the dragging around of materials.

I was going back to the shop for another cycle last night. I walked out of the house .... and into another world!

Look at that sky!! Full moon behind quilted clouds .... stunning. Who can doubt there's a God when confronted by the evidence.

Jim wasn't gonna keep his group. He thought he'd missed #4 badly, so didn't concentrate on shot 5 (bottom left). Well ...

Jim located a fine Delta 45. He brought it by the shop to check it out before putting it in the field. Jim bought a "new old stock" Tasco side wheeler for it. That's just the way I had it set up for SS3, when this rifle was used in the competition shooting.

The 235 grain Shrike was developed for this gun. I found that I had some on hand, and the rifle it right up to (and actually over) spec. from my shop manuals. It's set up to give 5 level shots off of it's internal reservoir.

It only takes a very few images from that day, to drive straight into my soul, and revive a host of emotion. Mostly, I realize the unhealing gap left by the sudden removal of loved ones, so cowardly removed from us.

My utmost thanks go out to the tens of thousands of focused individuals who have worked together, to prevent any additional attack on our soil in the seven years since 9/11/01. We would never have believed that it could be possible to prevent additional loss on our soil - to such a 100% success. God Bless all involved in our daily safety.

I survived. ;?) Yet another experience straight out of the Inquisition. Tied to a rack, head in a hole. Driving spikes into my spine while asking to tell them where exactly it hurt. As I muttered my muted responses thru clinched and grinding teeth, an accomplice would translate to the one twisting the spikes. He'd then twist and shove them alittle deeper. Just as I was expiring from the endless ordeal, he'd inject some concoction of fire and I'd flop like a fish on a beach.

Then, it was over once again. The gristly implements were withdrawn, and my near lifeless body was rolled onto a cart. I swear I heard a voice calling ... "bring out 'yer dead" in the distance.

"Other than that" ... it was successful. I was pain free this am. I've been working all day, and it began hurting again, so I'm taking a break and recharging with some meds. I'm trying to cut the meds way back, in an effort to lessen their effects. A little game we play - the pains, the drugs, and me. ;?)

That stainless Appaloosa 25 for Groot, and the moderated 32 Ranger Delta 100 fpe for Brown, each are within 40-50 hours of finish. However; I have to go back and bring up the Drewke 45 Nitro, and the Overmyer Hoss 45. If you're not here, you are in good company. And, I'm fully aware that I'm a worthless slug.

The day has arrived for me to get the epidural injections I've been waiting for. The plan is for the injections to calm the pinched nerves in my spinal column, and allow me to get off of some of these pain killer meds. The meds tend to cause dizziness and fatigue ... neither one is a big help in a machine shop! haha. ;?)

I've been working every day, but these injections will definitely make the days less painful.

I recvd. some new pics from customers who were shooting recently. I love to share these with you.

I hope that you and Kelly had a great weekend. I got a chance to go to the range, on Saturday, with the Hoss .45. What a nice afternoon!

Enclosed you will find some pictures from the range session; The first and second photo shows the Hoss pistol for those that haven’t see it or those who don’t remember how it looks.

Usually I shoot the Hoss from a tripod on the rifle range. This time the rifle range was closed and I had to move to the pistol range. Here the most distant that you can place a target is at 25 yds. So it was time to try some standing shots. Since I was on the pistol range, nobody was resting their pistols to shoot. To warm up, I started shooting at 15 yards, although you can only see 7 holes on that target, actually there are 10 shots. Then I moved to 25 yards, again standing off, there are 12 shots on that target. On the next few targets I shot five shots per target at 25 yds. On the last target I did something different, I rested the Hoss on the tripod and disconnected the Hoss from the regulator. Here I shot 4 shots from the reservoir.

I had a great time! I’m the proud owner of a magnificent piece of art, which also shoots round balls at 740 fps and is deadly accurate.

Julio told me that Saturday, he also did some deep sea fishing with some friends. They were about 2 miles off-shore, and he took this sunset pic. That sounds like a fine Saturday indeed! ;?)

Julio is in Puerto Rico. One of his Barnes PCPs is the "Hoss". A 45 caliber pistol of + 200 fpe which I made 6 or 7 years ago. I'm pleased to see it out at the range.

Here, Julio has the Hoss tethered to a carbon fiber tank. Makes for some nice easy shooting.

This is a style of holding a large pistol that I developed some years back. Julio finds that it works well for him too.

The targets certainly show that it's a good technique and provides for a steady aim. I know that I didn't get all the narrative and targets matched. You can see that Julio (and the pistol) are doing very well. ;?)

Jerry has been been improving his bench shooting set up. You see a great long range mil-dot scope with internal level. You note that he'd also set it up with a bi-pod. It's looking very serious.

And, a bit later, he shot this one! Excellent 5 shots @ 43 yards with the Prairie 3 (on low power).

And, he says it shoots like a laser off the bench at home. He can't wait to get it out in the open range for distance. At home, his solid backer is 43 yards from the house.

Thanks very much for sending in your pictures. I love to share them. Love to see the guns in the field.

This was a quick post (about 90 minutes) ... hope I picked the best of the pics.

This Scout 45 was in the shop for a tune-up. I decided to take it to the range to unwind a bit.

It was doing nicely with these light weight 45 slugs from about 10 years ago when ...

I quickly retrieved a target frame I had out in the field, and the machine baled the wind row which when by my truck. As he rounded the corner, the beast disgorged this mammoth bale of hay. Hummmm ...

And, I want to share a pic of our brand new grandson ... Nathan. He's about 2-3 months, and he's gonna be a big boy. Folks says he looks like me! (Except he has more hair! .. ;?)

After my commitments for the day, I decided to go spend an hour or two shooting. I'd cast some slugs from one of my shop molds, and it was a beautiful late afternoon.

The field to the left there, is planted in quality hay. I couldn't go driving or stomping around in there, so I set up here on the shoulder of this dirt road. There was a convenient "tractor tire" scar in the field, where I could walk in a big arc, and end up about 50ish yards out. That's perfect. I went out and posted a sheet of poster board, and drew a circle.

I came back and got ready to shoot. Just bagged the rifle on the truck tailgate, and sat on that little step ladder. The evening was really nice, and I felt relaxed for the first time in awhile. The pain was turned down, and the afternoon had been good. I line up with a shop gun shooting a 469 grain 58 caliber Barnes slug. Steady ..... squeeze ... BANG!

And .... I don't see a hole. Last I'd shot, I'd shot some round ball. The 4X Simmons shotgun scope was about on. I figured the slug should be close. I studied the image in the scope. Wow ... I can't understand how I missed the whol..... wait .... when I drew that circle .... I didn't draw a dot in the middle .... ;?)

I walked back and got two more slugs ready. As you may know, consistency is what brings about accuracy. So, interrupting a group by strolling out 53 yards, taking a pic, and walking back between shots isn't to be recommended. But ... I settled back in and it felt about right. I shot #2, and ... hummm, I think that spot just got bigger. I shot #3, and I still didn't see anything in the 4X scope, except the one hole.

Here's a backer I made to take to the field for posting paper. Here's the 3 shot group.

I walked back, and settled in for two more shots. No other hole appeared in the scope! So, I figured the bullets were not coming out of the barrel, or I was missing the whole backer. haha. ;?)

And I found two more slugs overlaid. I'd shot out the numeral 3, and took out the paper at 1o'clock in the bull.

Here's an altered exposure so you can see the trace lead smear rings where they hit.

Well, that was fun. With the walking and pics, that was a slow group! haha. But, worth recording.

The link from down below was broken. I'm sorry. A couple of you told me and I was too swamped to fix it. Here it is again, and it's fixed below too.

I may never get it right ... good Heavens! "Shoot Off - Shoot Out" ... I just can't get it right .... let's try again.

Let me mention an FYI while I'm here please: Maybe you'll want to get a cup of coffee ;?)

I really try to balance what I show you here. When I've been really busy, or dealing with things, I haven't posted as much. I found that depressed readers, because they wondered if things were getting done. I find that when I post pics, and don't label the project (customer name), I get mail asking who it's for, is it mine? That sort of thing. If I do post pics, and label them, I get alot of mail wondering if perhaps they've been pushed back or accidentally overlooked. It's a very tricky balance to achieve. I wish each post would portray what each reader would like to see, but it can't. I can assure you that nobody's project is lost.

I speak of "the pipeline", and that's literally 50 guns that are in various stages of progress. I know that the classic image might be more of one long gun on a beautiful solid wood work bench, beautifully polished tools, soft leather apron, warm light thru a multi-pane window. Classic white haired craftsman with rimless glasses, carving microscopic steel chips from the receiver of a nearly complete, engraved rifle. ;) Well, I have the thin grey hair, wire rim glasses, and white beard right! And the old leather apron too. Alot of my tools are handmade - but I don't take the time away from "your project", to make turned rosewood and brass handles for them. haha. And, the one "perpetually 99.8% complete" gun in the wood screw vise, doesn't happen. ;?)

The gun projects are in hundreds of parts, all over the shop. They are in paper tubes to protect finishes. They are in upright closets to keep the shop dirt off of them. They are in bins - labeled with project names. They are in bins and racks without names; because they are inventory bins. The bins are not walnut, nor dovetailed I fear; but the parts within them are each extremely well made.

I have to do as much as I can, in the way of "multiplying my efforts". I have to make several of an item which will be used in many different formats. I have to make barrels together, in groups. I have to sand and polish great numbers of parts together, in order that a huge number of parts can go into the bluing tanks together. I have to set up the shop differently to do woodworking. So I do multiple units, whenever possible. I don't have the luxury of infinite floor space, so I do the best with what I have. These things, and a hundred more, make it impossible to just work on one project only. I know that's the standard classic impression. The linear flow. One guy is in front of another guy. The line, where each guy at the front is being handed his rifle.

Think of this. Over a period of ... say 30 months, I get five guys who all ordered Yukon rifles. They've paid along on their contracts for awhile. Now, would it make sense to take out, use, and then put away; the tooling to make each part of each of these five similar guns? That would probably double the build time for each. And push everybody else on the ledger backwards. Or would it be logical, realizing that I now have five orders for similar guns, to make ... say 6 of each part, while the tooling was out and set up for those parts? The shop even gains some parts as well, if I do this. I'll either replace a lost problem part with the extra unit, or it will go into inventory. Now, once I get these groups of parts to say ... 80% of the required build, then I can branch off and go pick up the first guy - and spend the additional weeks of work to bring that 80% of loose parts, into 100% of a completed rifle ... and then test it to 110%, and ship it out.

And, this is the way it goes. Somewhat against the typical vision I guess. Hardly a factory effort. And the products show a vast choice of designs. Yet; it's not the true linear progression of one gun from start to finish. So; when you see a group of yet another batch of five guns, you might wonder where the last batch went. Well, most likely (for example the last batch of 5 you saw ... were at maybe 10-15% build) ... the last batch might now be in those bins and closets, at 35%. Another group will be somewhere at 50%+. It goes like that. And now, I am breaking off singles and finishing things. That's the fun part.

That little 25 you saw, was at ... maybe 70%, but just assembled and taken to the range anyway. Usually, parts of that completion stage won't be assembled at all. They'll just keep moving down the pipeline, until each individual part is at it's 100%.

Of course, the pipeline doesn't move the parts from station to station, each with it's own individual white haired craftsman. I'm the only guy here, and "I move" from station to station. Actually, I clear a spot - and create the next station wherever I can. haha. ;?)

The final thing is, the state of my chronic pain isn't linear. So - I really don't know how often it is gonna sandbag me in a week. How often I'll need to do some pain maintenance. Talking about it is a hard balance to strike too. Too light, and it's easy for a reader to think I just need an aspirin or something. Too heavy, and I might give the impression that I'm on my last leg. haha. (I'm not). I do find that it's difficult for readers to get an idea of the "reality" of this sort of pain, so long as I can sit here and type rational thought. That's somewhat masks then reality. When this sort of pain breaks thru, it stops you where you are. So, it's a balance of meds and injections to keep the beast in it's cage. We do pretty well. But, if I mention that I've fought alot of pain this week, it means that I did alot of work to meet my obligations, when I really needed to be sitting down and resting somewhere instead. We're all moving along together. The work is getting done.

Hope this coffee break helps everybody understand a little bit more about what you see here, and how I work. And how one guy produces everything you see on the site here. It's alot of work. Most of the glitter doesn't show until very late in the game.

Thanks for the e-mail and comments regarding the back pain issue. I finally heard back from my pain Doc’s office up here. I’d been waiting for him to get back from vacation. They re-opened Monday, and I’m sure they were swamped with people like me … in serious pain … at a pain clinic … imagine!!

I was able to get an appointment for epidural injections in two and a half weeks. I guess that’s relatively immediate in the scheme of things. Can’t say sooner wouldn’t have been nice, but I understand "busy".

I’ve been slogging through this extreme afternoon/evening pain for a couple of weeks now already. Eating all the pills I can, within the limitations of my instructions. I’m also scheduled for another series of epidural injections two weeks after the first. So, September is going to be a real joy. ;) Be kind. haha.

Just FYI

Gary

I had a chance to go shooting Saturday. It worked out that 3 friends/customers were able to join me. One from Connecticut, one from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and one from Towson, Md. We had a great day. Used the whole thing too! We were all beat by the time we packed it up.

We went to my buddy Tom's farm. Beautiful day, but we soon needed shade. That's Bill F. at the lower bench - shooting Jerry's Prairie III @ the 100 yard backer.

Here he's contemplating which wooden "critter" target he's going to lay to waste with his 45 Scout!

Jerry had both his Woodsman with the 32 caliber insert and his 32 Prairie III (this pic).

Another group of Jerry's. Not sure if this was the Woodsman 32 or the Prairie 32.

I had Kelly's unfinished High Plains Carbine in 25 caliber. It's stayed unfinished so nobody sweet talks us out of it! haha. That's a used walnut forestock off the original Chaparral 25 pistol (was later changed and this one hit the shelf. Hummm ... that fits. The back stock is figured mahogany (yeah - they'll match eventually) and the back stock is raw/rough wood. The steel is raw too. But this little 25 will shoot! It has a few prototype features on an old school frame.

It cracks out a Diana Magnum pellet (20 grn. I think) @ 1314 fps. How's that for you
"Velocity Hounds!" haha. ;?)

Boy, you talk about a Supersonic Crack! It resounded off the surrounding hills. Sounded like a high power rifle!

But ... the real reason for this rifle is Barnes Slugs, of course. It's a great test bed for the 25 Pellets that we went public with via

They cast slugs from Barnes Molds. The current offering of 25's are from approx 57 grains thru 84.6 grains. You have to have a stout 25 to handle them. If you do, they will dramatically raise the energy potential of your PCP rifle. They also have Barnes 45 molds and can fix you up with .308s (from a commercial mold) as well. They're good guys. Give them a try.

Kelly's High Plains Carbine 25 shoots the 84.6 grain Barnes 9 ring slug @ 886.6 fps for 147.7 Foot Pounds of muzzle energy!

Here's a trophy group I shot yesterday with the 25 Carbine and it's 84.6 grain 25 caliber Barnes Slugs.

Those 25's were tearing up lumber yesterday. That's 2 by 6 framing lumber. Look at the destruction ... and knots didn't stop it either!

Bill F. arranged during the week to stop in, and found us over at the range. He slid in under the 25 and shot this group. He warmed up with some 6 rings, and we switched him to the 9 rings. I mentioned that they'd hit about the same place - but he started by aiming high @ 50 yards .... and hitting high @ 50 yards. hehehe. ;?) He corrected his aim and finished the group. We all wished he'd have started again on a new target ... but this way you get a story with the pic! The slugs/barrel/gun just plain SHOOTS.

Jim was on the mark with his Scout 45 too. He's got that laser guided Leupold glass on there too ;?) so ... it's pretty deadly!

Even though it's a "front stuffer", and groups involve some real work being done. ;?)

We had a great day. It was wonderful to get out of the shop and spend time with some buds.

Here ya go my friend. (I was asked to find this pic for someone) .177 Ranger FTS circa 1997.

Hello - thanks for reading. I have another report from a Barnes owner. You recall Julio (from Puerto Rico). He sent in this fine account:

Last Sunday I went to the range to do some shooting with the Yukon II. My plan was to do some target shooting, to test a new scope that I mounted on the Yukon, and to compare the results with the other results obtained using the 4X scope. This new scope is a Bushnell 6-24x40mm Elite 4200 series, so it’s supposed to be good. I know that is not a fair comparison, but what I was trying to find out is if the new groups using this expensive scope justify the expense.

After zeroing the scope at 50 yds., I noticed that at 110 yds someone had hung four bean cans, at different heights, along the 110 yard line. It was very tempting and I decided to give it a try. Aiming a few inches higher, bam! There goes the first shot and it was a direct hit on the lower edge. You should have seen the can swinging like crazy from one side to the other. After a few hits to the different cans while they were still, I decided to shoot a second shot to a can that was swinging. This was the real fun, the timing needs to be perfect and after a few missed shots I got the trick, and started to hit the same can on two consecutive shots (the second while the can still moving).

Now, having hit two shots in a row on the same can, the next thing, obviously would be trying to hit it three times (easier said than done). I did it at least two times. Here the issue is to reload, cock the rifle and acquire the target as fast as possible and this gives some additional difficulty to this drill.

The most important thing is that I had a lot of fun, and also the feeling of accomplishment. At the end, my conclusion on the new scope is that shooting further than 50 yds., this new scope has the edge. If that is reason enough to buy it? Don’t know yet, I need to test it further and I will report the results later.

I wrote back and told Julio that I was glad I wasn't competing against him! haha. ;?) That's some mighty fine shooting!

This got me thinking ... do you remember the great shooting contest that took place at Standing Stone 3? Here's the link. I just re-read it the other day. The rifle, the Delta 45, was recently re-sold, unfortunately as a result of the previous owner's passing. I recalled the fact that I'd made the rifle for myself to use during a Fall Boar Hunt. Afterwards, our friend Roy had purchased it, and enjoyed owning it for some years. We're very sorry for his passing. His estate placed his guns on the market, and here's another part of the Delta 45's Legacy.

BTW ... I understand the estate also has a ledger entry unfinished Appaloosa slot for sale. Check American Airgun's classified pages.

One more issue I need to address. I might as well do it while I sit here waiting for some pain pills to kick in. I'm waiting for my pain Doc up here in Maryland, to return from vacation. Then I can get the epidural injections I very much need. My hip/leg have been killing me for the last week/10 days. It's time again. The pills are not handling the chronic pain. And, of course ... I'd pick his vacation break ... ;?)

The topic is this: Previously owned Barnes guns. Here's a short run thru of the subject....

Some folks see my work and my person, as nearly inseparable. They enjoy the work, and have enjoyed becoming friends as well. Those people stay in touch. When they stay in touch, their guns stay in touch. I know what the guns are doing ... what condition they are in. They also send in some data and pics from time to time, to share on the website.

Other folks see me as a vending machine. The "Carbon Unit" they have to go thru in order to purchase the gun they want. When I ship the gun, I never hear from them again. I don't know any more about them, I have no idea of the condition of the gun I labored to make and proof.

Those are the extremes, of course. And, some combinations exist ... closer to one extreme or the other. To the degree that people stay in touch, and share their guns here on the site; I know a lot, or a little about their guns. Some only resurface when they want to re-sell their guns. This poses a problem. If I have known nothing of them or their guns for ... say ... the last 8-12 years, then I know nothing of the condition of the guns. If I become involved in re-selling them (by pointing potential buyers their way) .. then I am (by inserting myself) "vouching for" the gun of unknown condition. I can't do that.

If someone wants to actually involve me to "broker" their gun (meaning I go over it for a fee, and I am offered a commission for making a sale), then I have an opportunity to learn of the gun's condition, and I am paid for my time and efforts. I'm sure you can see that I don't "owe" a nice painless resale profit, and ready buyer for every gun I've made in my career. Wouldn't that be nice. I have a few things I've bought thru the years that I'd like to immediately resell for a tidy profit too ... humm. ;?)

Another issue comes up occasionally. I get the e-mail telling me that "so and so" has a gun or two of mine for sale. Says they are "AS NEW". Wonderful. Only, I've seen the guns in years prior ... and they were NOT in "as new condition" then. I doubt they've improved much in the year's since. AND ... I just happen to have another gun I built, back in my shop ... being refinished for the new buyer ... who purchased it advertised in "AS NEW CONDITION" from the same seller. So .... Houston, we have a problem. The newly interested party in the e-mail, wants me to be excited about his "exceptional find". I don't really care to become involved between a "he said, she said" story. AND ... I surely don't want to have the newly interested party calling ME a week later, when his "AS NEW" gun shows up all scratched and rusty. ;?(

So; as I've said since 1974 in business .... "If you care to be a friend, and stay in touch, I will know about your Barnes products, my readers will know about them, and you'll have an easy re-sale market at some point when you may want it." My readers will have seen the gun, in use, and know it's condition. They will have been introduced to you, and they'll know the specs. on the rifle. Will have seen the targets printed by it. Matching up someone who's always wanted it, would not be too hard.

However: If you see me as a vending machine that drops a gun, and you then disappear with it for ten years; there's nothing I can do for you, except start at the beginning again when you re-surface (with something fair for my time and efforts).

Now ... this doesn't mean that all guns being resold are suspect. I'm explaining the reasons why "I" may not be involved in finding them all a new home. If buyers match up with previously owned Barnes guns, in good condition; then I'm always very pleased to meet the new owners (and help them with their needs).

I got a nice mail from Mike R. this morning. Mike purchased the Southwest Scout, you recall, when we did the auction to help our buddy John, with his medical issues. His generous offer was much appreciated by John and his family.

This target caught two groups. Boy - those bullets were flying straight. Notice the holes look like they were drilled! ;?)

I was shooting the custom cast bullets (Raptor 221 grain), I
> received, and they shoot very well. Here are a couple groups. My
> first group shows that I was struggling to get comfortable. I had
> a much better rhythm on the second group.
>

Mike tried these Barnes Raptors from Surefire Casting. Remember, Mike's Scout is muzzle loaded. That changes the whole nature of shooting groups. Each group is interrupted by standing, loading, and getting reseated and settled to take the next shot.

A variety of old school orders. Lots of steel, lots of single point lathe threading.

During all the computer troubles of the past couple of months, I'm afraid I got used to not posting as much. I apologize. I'll try to do better on that count.

I have some pics for you here, of some of the things I've been doing. I know everyone always likes the work done on stocks, so here's some pics pulled from the last month ...

I profiled this Appaloosa stock (going to Holland) from a nice plank of figured mahogany.

Afterwards, I sliced off the side, so there would not be as much to plane to thickness. (And, it will give me a nifty pattern for next time - better than the old brown paper one!) ;?)

The blank is clamped up in the milling maching to begin matching the action for inletting. I'm removing bulk waste here.

And, quite a few operations later, we have a great fit of this action to the stock blank. You can see that there's some fine figure to the wood. The finish process, and then a couple of years of age, and this stock will simply "glow" with rich color. Every one of these mahogany stock I've seen later on, amazes me with it's richness. Everyone who sees them also tells me that the pics just can't do them justice.

On the other side of the coin, there's been alot of activity/need on the ongoing estate mess I was court ordered to manage for my late parents. In addition, Kelly faces alot of responsibility regarding the care of her elderly parents.

We're healthy though. The regiment of medications I take do a very good job for me. They're expensive. Our small business insurance doesn't cover everything. But, they work. If you've wandered in and are not familiar with this topic; I have 4 bad discs in my lower back. They pinch the nerves and cause chronic pain. However; I'm finding patterns to deal with it. Took time to find, but it's helping alot.

Just wanted you to know that I'm on the new laptop. It's great so far. I can get up and walk around in here! haha.

My e-mail is normal again. I've been taking care of business from a couple of different accounts during the switch over. Just telling you that all's up and running. Everything functional. Work is progressing.

That polished Stainless Appaloosa action is really sweet! Shoots great. Great trigger! I'll get pics asap. With everything that's been going on, I'm trying to burn some shop hours.

I got the BEST e-mail from Julio this morning. He shoots his Yukon 2 in Puerto Rico.

Yesterday I went to the range to do some shooting with the Yukon II. It was funny because when I arrived there was this guy shooting with a Colt 45 some targets that he had made. The targets consisted of 5 and 10 pounds iron disks weights. Like the ones used for free weight lifting. So this guy welded an iron cap in the center to tap the hole and also welded a base so the disk will stand still and painted them in white color. Also he built some stands in order for him to place the iron disks at different distances and different heights.

The way he set his range was 8 iron weights placed between 10 and 20 meters at 3 ½ or 4 feet of height. The funny thing is that when I arrived and started unloading my stuff, the guy saw the carbon fiber air tank and started making jokes on me, asking if I was going to scuba dive. I saw him shooting for a while and after 2 clips, aprox. 16 bullets he only tripped two iron disks. He was shooting at the larger ones, the 10 pounders. When he hit them the disk just dropped to the front of the base, I was expecting more from a 45.

I took the Yukon out of the rifle case and the guy stopped shooting and started asking the usual questions, you get the idea. I showed the 450 grains slug to the guy and he was impressed with the size and weight of the bullet. I asked him for permission to shoot at one of his targets; he told me that it was ok to shoot. I selected the further 5 pounds disk at about 20 meters. Also I aimed at the base of the disk trying to create a better target reaction. And BAM!, the 5 pound disk flew 1 to 2 feet into the air and flipping like a quarter then it dropped 2 feet behind the stand. I asked for another shot and he told me to shoot the 10 pound disk. It was standing at maybe 18 meters, BAM! The 10 pound disk jumped from the stand and flipped twice before dropping behind the stand.

I told the guy to place one disk at 50 meters and the other at 100 meters. Yes, two for two, the rifle was zeroed at 50 yds. The first shot was an easy shot, on the second at 100 meters I did some guessing with the compensation and the disk dropped with authority. Lucky I guess.

The guy was impressed with the power and accuracy of the Yukon. The curious thing is that the center iron cap welded on the disks broke and flew away on every disk that was shot with the Yukon II. That is a testament of the energy transferred to them on every shot.

I won't respond to this e-mail program for a couple of days. I'm having a new hard drive installed, and the data restored on this, the laptop I mostly use for business. Timing depends upon the tech.

I'll check e-mail, remotely, from another PC. But I hate to answer from there and have my response record chopped up in various places. Yeah, I can forward a cc to this account, but then it's not in the sent mail, etc., etc. Thanks, I'll figure it out. It will just be a couple of days ...

A sincere thanks goes out to our military. This is a great country. I'm aware of the multitude of blessings we have. Life in 21st century USA is simply magic stacked upon heaps of magic. Most of what I count upon, I don't begin to understand. But, I believe it's there, and it works.

Remembered that I'd neglected to show you the Stainless Appaloosa action that I'm finishing up.

I'll probably get the action shooting today. It's been here pressurized for some time.

I got to go shooting yesterday, with a couple of buds. I have a bunch of pics pulled here, that I hope you will enjoy.

I'll be back later to post the pics and narrative. Got some errands to run, and I've been hours already, preparing the pics.

This post features a couple of different weekend shoots. Jerry was able to join me once, when Jim could not. Jerry, Jim, and I ... are the core group comprising the "Barnes Rich Snob Society" (New Windsor chapter) ... haha ;?) Footnote: My customers (the ones that were disciplined enough to take advantage of buying my guns for a few dollars a day via my ledger) used to be pegged as "Rich Snobs". So; we just "embraced the misconception - and smiled while we shot our guns". ;?)

Here Jerry and I enjoy a steak and egg breakfast on the patio prior to shooting. Ahhh ... we wondered what the "little people" were doing that morning .... hahah ... ;?)

Last weekend, Jim and Jerry set up at the range. Great day with ALOT of shooting!

Some of the equipment we take along and set up. A nice spotting scope, couple of nice shooting benches, couple of fine digital cameras, and endless sand bags.

Jim got the Scout 45 muzzle loader after this fella. This is Jim's Scout that he bought on the internet classified. Shooting here with Round ball. 5 at 50 yards. Come to mention it ... Jim ALSO bought his Alpine 45 off the net classified.

Jim and I had both had our fill of computers last week! I quickly drew a couple of "laptop" computers for targets! Jim put the hurt'in on this one with five muzzle loaded Bishops.

Remember: Anyone shooting a muzzle loader has a "routine" of fill, load, reacquire their shooting position ... to go through. So - any "group" is an interrupted group - for sure.

Jim did some spotting for Jerry. Jerry was shooting 100 yard groups with his Prairie 3. Exploring settings of the power adjust, and various slugs.

Great Shooting Jerry. That's a trophy group - you bet. I'm gonna bet that's .35-.37" c/c or darned close to it.

Couple of BTW notes: Jim's shooting his Alpine ... it's making something around 530 foot pounds of energy, and shooting this accurately with one of my little Simmons 4X shotgun scopes stuck on there. Jim's Leupold is in a box in my shop (waiting for a custom - long range "drop adjust" scope rail. I mention this to show you that accuracy and power can be found combined.

Jerry is shooting his Prairie 3 at about 250 fpe with his 177 grain Totem Pole Barnes slugs. There's a 215 Barnes torpedo slug, which gives him over 280 fpe at 3,200 psi ... but the gun likes the Totem Poles better. Some of his groups were shot with various Barnes slugs in the 115 grain range.

BTW ... Jerry manages Surefire Casting. They make slugs for my customers and also offer some of my slugs for commercial use. I made 45 Raptor molds and sizing dies for them (Raptors have a 10+ year record of superb accuracy). Jerry and his sons also offer a version of heavy 25 caliber slugs for some of the hotter 25 caliber commercial guns. They've been noted to do well in the Condor modifications, and some Korean guns with the choke removed from their commercial barrels. We're talking serious 25 slugs. If you have a commercial 25 or 45, give them a shout @ jboyenga@md.metrocast.net

Oh .... in addition to the BTWs ... you don't see me shooting a rifle. There's a reason for that. I'm making yours and I don't have one.

Saturday, we placed targets @ 50 and 100 yards. Fortunately, this hay field had just be cut - so we had access again briefly.

The sun tracks across our FOV. A bit longer sunshade was in order. You see here, a Barnes Custom sunshade!

The previous session, we didn't have access to the field, so we based ourselves off in the brush/weeds of the farm road shoulder. We'll shoot where we can. ;)

My wife Kelly dropped by with coffee and an ice-cream bar, in the afternoon. She casually sat her coffee on the hood of her van. I smiled and laughed. She said ... "What?" .... haha. I've always said ... she lives in a "different world" than I do. hehe. God love her - she should have good luck for putting up with me. ;?)

Speaking of rats .... hehe ... I drew up some "rat" targets for the guys. Here, Jerry landed a nice three shot 100 yd. group on one of the vermin (Pic is a section of his back behind the head).

Examining the back of the 100 yard backer ... 3/4" treated plywood. Note the way the 32 slugs blast thru @ 100 yards.

That got us thinking of a grand finale. I drew up some targets and we stuck them on the backer that we'd already carried in from 100 yds, and dropped at about 30 yds.

We turned Jerry's Prairie 3 Magnum down to low power. At such, it was nearly silent. Just perking along at between 90 and 100 fpe. It was like shooting a nice FT gun.

We had a fine day. And then, a storm blew up in a jiffy. We got to tear down everything as the storm gathered and blew. Jim literally caught the leg of the canopy as it lifted off. He was nearly in Kansas, had I not also grabbed on.

And, during the last three minutes of the load into the trucks, we all got soaked.

We had our guns and targets in the trucks though. We were ready for coffee back at the house.