thats what im sayin, gear keeps getting made cheaper, and costing more, there are still some things that i use that belonged to my grandpa.

Amen! Every pair of boots I've ever liked have been replaced with a new and improved model. The only new and improved is in the new money and improved profit margin for the company that makes the stuff...

As for the M8 3X you can drive a nail with one. Found one at a pawn shop for $40. Pawn shop guy thought he ripped me off... One heck of scope for a lever gun as well!

Dave, I spoke too soon. The lefty CZ550 safari is much pricier than the right hand version. Some $600 more.

LL Bean still makes them. Sold both as the "Bean Boot" and as the "Maine Hunting Shoe."

Good buys: I haven't heard people talk much about Nikon, but I was given a new Nikon prostaff 3-9x42 scope and also a sweet set of binoculars. If I had more rifles I'd buy more of their scopes.

Along these lines, if you should see a piece of military surplus that you like, grab it quick. I've had a half dozen military rifles I've bought, had to sell (because I had to eat), and when I was back in the chips again discovered that you couldn't get them any more, or that the prices had gone way, way up. Got any P-17 Enfields for sale? 1914 Swedish Mausers? Remember when they could hardly give SKS rifles away at $100 a pop? How about a nice, mint Egyptian Hakim? Or a Spanish Mauser in .308? You can get some of these but they'll cost as much or more than a new Marlin, Savage, or Mossberg bolt rifle costs. Sort of defeats the purpose.

You nailed that one on the head, DEP. Two things that really irk me are all the Marble's products that are now made in China, and the lack of a simple dove/quail vest with a game pocket in the back and shell loops in the front.
As a side note, not to create controversy, what is your opinion of the Burris 1.75 X 5 Signature Safari as an acceptable substitute for the hard to find Leupold 3X?

DARN you Petzal! Just when I wanted to forget the past and move forward YOU bring up all the fond memories of hunting in my youth!
OK...I feel better now, and good article by the way...

Dave, remember that great idea I had a few years ago, the one about long range bullets made from salt so the meat wouldn't spoil before you, me or Clay could get there to field dress 'em. Welll 'ol Del has been thinking about a new product. We all know about your penchant for fancy guns with high dollar wood, engraving, double barrels and on and on. Well it seems there are no fancy bows out there with those things. Dave, we could start our own company and make a killing. Think about it. We could make a double barreled bow for a fast second arrow on dangerous game. We could put some fancy wood on it maybe get some big named gunsmith dude to engrave the riser. Then claim it was made in uhhhh London yeah that's it London. Everybody knows good stuff comes from london. Big game hunters with deep pockets would beat a path to our door. We could live off the fatta of the land like lenny and George (you be Lenny of course). Think about photos of Happy Myles holding his new DavenDels double barreled bow with one foot on a big bull. Maybe we could get the legendary Clay to make some 200 yd bow kills to show how our bow puts 'em down fast and at long range too! Anyone else want to get in on the ground floor send a large check to Del in KS ASAP. The first 20 investors will get a free slightly used baseball cap autygraphed by yers truley.

Also for lefties, don't forget the discontinued lefty version of the Remington 700 "XCR". Maybe Remington didn't think lefties needed the protection (on the metal, that is).

A guy I know by the name of Bill has these black Hush Puppies brand shoes that he loves. About 15 years ago he got wind that they were going to quit making them (and they did), so he went and bought every pair in his size that he could find. He is, to this day, still cycling through them, one pair at a time.

yrs-
Evan!

To Lyle Gorch: It was Cabela's that used to have Bud Grant as a spokesman for their waterfowling stuff. By the way, how's your brother Tector these days?

To CRM .30/06: In theory, a variable in that power range should nicely take the place of a straight 3X, except you're dealing with more weight and machinery.

To Del in KS: Whatever you're been into recently hasn't been good for you.

To O Garcia: Thanks for the heads up. I note that the CZ has a 25-inch barrel, so the first thing I would have to do is have it cut back to 22 inches. What the hell are they thinking?

To All: If you're looking for something else on which to spend money you don't have, go to northernoutfitters.com. This company sells ultra-cold-weather clothing and clothing systems. I was put on to it by my friend Bob Serrano, a bowhunters of formidable attainments. He used their stuff on a musk ox hunt, and reports that it is light, not bulky, and extremely warm.

The only thing made that cannot be replaced by something better and newer is me. On second thought, my grandkids have great potential.

Wish I had a supply of pre-1980 Chevy Suburbans stashed away, best all around vehicle I ever owned.

My brother believed Danner was the best boot made for hunting and all around outdoor use during cold weather. Tried to get me to buy a pair. They are now made in CHINA, like everything else. He couldn't believe it and wished he would have bought 6 pair of the old ones.
I couldn't have afforded it, but do I ever wish I had a half dozen 70's Toyota Landcruisers (the ones that resembled a Land Rover). Recently a friend of mine bought a Ruger No. 1 in 375 H&H from an old geezer (risking extreme marital discord if he got caught) simply because it wore a Leupold M-8 3x scope. He bought the dog for its collar.

This reminds me of trying to buy a pair of pull-on L.L. Bean "Bean boots" last winter. I called and spoke to a very friendly customer service lady and told her I couldn't find them in the catalog anymore. She looked and couldn't either. Men in my family have been wearing them for generations, they worked well, held up a long time, and are gone. When I hung up, both myself and the lady at L.L. Bean were baffled about why they'd drop such a staple.

I'll bet some of the Big L glass is not made here.

Not intending to pile on Nikon but my brother-in-law couldn't keep Nikons on his TC. I think he went through 2 or 3 before switching to something else.

Rocky boots used to be a really good boot. Not so much anymore.

I've always been a leupold guy and never, ever had one fail. I'm taking the plunge on a pair of kenetrek boots very soon. I'll see what a $300 boot gives me.

Seems Leupold could introduce a 3X in the Redfield line and have an instant success.

They used to make these little cheddar cheese crackers called Quackers...god what i would give for just one more box of those. Goldfish crackers do not come close to quackers.

DEP, Tector is doing ok in Savannah, Ga. I'm making beer in Az.

That's true for pretty much anything. If it works, they'll replace it with something that doesn't.

Yes, if we could only have foreseen them.

I wore North Face when they made real down-filled, heavy fabric coats and vests ('70s). I quit buying the company's new mass-market gear.

My favorite folding knives are Colt, from United Cutlery. They've been out of business (folded?) for some time now.

I bought a pair of uninsulated Danner Pronghorns about twenty years ago. Best fitting boot I had/have EVER owned. I've literally walked thousands of miles in them and they're still going strong. From day one I've never gotten a blister no matter how far I hiked in one day.

I recently purchased a pair of Danner Pronghorns with 1000 grams of insulation in them. They fit like a glove the minute I put them on and they keep my feet WARM in the coldest temperature.

I will NEVER another make of boots. It's Danner, or it's wrong.

there are only 2 problems with that. 1) you never really know how good something is until you feild try it for several years. and 2) there never seems to be enough money to buy stuff to sit around until the first one wears out. if money is not an object, then what in the world would you do with all the stuff that you bought two or three of that turns out to be junk?! hind sight is always perfect. if any of us could truly see the future, we really might not like what we would see.

Well, here goes Barnes Bullets down the mega-corporate shitter:
Quote from Barnes Website:

"February 2010 Barnes Bullet-N

To our respected business colleagues, customers and friends,

It is with excitement and great anticipation for what the future holds that Coni and I are pleased to announce the addition of Barnes Bullets to The Freedom Group (FGI) family of distinguished companies.

As you know, since the 1930’s Barnes Bullets has led the industry in bullet technology. We stand firm on our central focus to provide customers with top quality, performance based products that give shooters a decided advantage. We join hands now with a group comprised of companies steeped in tradition, quality and innovation. Therefore, the acquisition of Barnes really makes sense for this group as it accentuates a great number of diverse product offerings from other respected FGI companies such as Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, NEF, LC Smith, Parker, EOTAC, AAC, Dakota and INTC.

We are proud to have built a company based on hard work, dedication and sacrifice. It has been our passion for many years now, and will remain so into the future. Naturally, we feel strongly that the culture and team which defines Barnes Bullets should remain intact. Fortunately, FGI recognizes the integral part this company’s culture plays in the lives of our employees, customers and business partners. In light of this, the entire staff remains whole. Direction has been given to continue forward in growth and prosperity by seeking additional resources from FGI to facilitate future goals and objectives necessary for the company’s continued success.

Coni and I are truly grateful for the warm welcome extended by all FGI employees. They are proud of our company’s legacy and the excellent reputation that follows. It is our hope that all of you understand the great benefits and rewards that will come to pass from this alliance. We have the utmost faith and confidence going forward that this mutually beneficial relationship will bolster the superb standards in quality, service and product value that is the heart of Barnes Bullets.

To our customers who use the website regularly, we thank you for your patience during the month of January while the site was down. It was a difficult and trying time for all (our daughter, Jessica, lost much sleep and hair over it!) Fortunately, we were able to get back online fairly quickly with an updated design. Of course, there are still a few items being sorted out as the new launch was not anticipated quite this early. Hopefully, the new look is pleasing to you and you can expect more great things to come.

Yours in shooting and friendship,

Randy & Coni Brooks
President & Vice President of Sales, Barnes Bullets"

end quote

To Dickgun: I think the military version was called a Fishtail parka. What I remember is that Bauer used to sell guns in some of their stores. Guns! And also that they sold down-lined wolf, wolverine, and beaver parkas for, I think, $500. They would be $5,000 today if you could get them at all.

what ever happened to "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"?
these things sound great, i want stuff like that.

Roscoe, I bought a pair of Sorel's in Alaska in 95, wore them 5 winters there, then 5 winters in Europe and still wear them in hunting trips here, they are still in good shape.

Right on, Dave, I still have quite a bit of equipment from Eddie Bauer back in the 60's when E.B was arguably the premier outfitter of winter and hunting sports. This includes the Mt Everest parka and the down 'fat pants' - equipment we supplied to our polar bear hunters for their hunts. I also have quite a few Bauer sleeping bags from those days that remain in fine condition after years of outfitting. I think maybe the Bean shell your refer to may be taken from the military who had a pullover parka of poplin that was white on one side and olive on the other. Used one polar bear hunting white side out and had a good ruff installed by an Inupiat lady I knew in Point Hope. Were those the good old days??

amen wildcaller and on the whole stuff being made in china. i hate stuff made in china. i feel that hunting and fishing are two of the things that make america kick ass, therefore i try to use all american made porducts when hunting or fishing which is damn near impossible. its a shame that you have to spend 4x on a pair of boots just to get american made quality

Danner still makes some boots in the US, most are for the military market. I have a pair of Ft. Lewis boots that have been re-soled several times over the 10 years that I have been flying with them almost every day. They don't deploy with me, and that's beginning to become a significant amount of time out of the past 10 years but they have been outstanding, and as far as I know they still make them the way they used to, somewhere in Oregon. Danner will re-build any old boot you have for less than a new pair of oversized Chinese made boots. Check the website.

I have a Nikon Buckmaster's scope that's as clear as a Leupold and tough as nails. Maybe I just got lucky.

AKX