OK, Pards & Pardettes,
1. My copy arrived Thursday afternoon in the regular USPS run and I'm on pins and needles for the Jan-Feb issue now!
2. WOW! I don't know what difference the cover paper makes, but it was in pristine condition, i.e., no curls on the edges, no tape untaped, no dirt on the outer cover. Imagine my awe! I even saved the outer cover for use in artwork and etc. as it was in 'almost new' condition.
3. John Hoker, aka 'Beartooth Billy', the feller that shot the pic on the cover and harvested the Buff with his own BPCR Rifle as well as wrote about it in a recent THE SHOOTIST issue, is from eastern Iowa, and is truly an NCOWS Pard to ride the river with! I had the extreme pleasure of painting him a sign a couple of years ago, he walks the walk and talks the talk in a lingo we can appreciate and he pulls no punches giving it to you straight as a fellow Shooter, he won't steer you wrong!
Last year at one of the CVR Buffalo Shoot events, he handed me 4 reloads and said "...here, try these in your Pedersoli, they work really great in mine and I think you'll see a BIG difference!" Welll, Boy Howdy! I did, and I did! He was right and we had some great times talking about reloads and 45-70 hunting, etc. If you ever get a chance to meet and jaw a bit with this quiet giant, don't hesitate, he has hunted the Continent and knows whereof he speaks! No doubt he'll be at the Convention, if you need, stop by my table and I'll happily point him out unless he's setting next to me.
Best regards and good shooting!
'Ol Gabe