RIFLES not kept Long Term

The idea of rifle collecting for its own sake has never been part of my ownership of them. In fact, I don’t buy anything just for the sake of having it – without a purpose or valid reason. Part of that is my background, and part is my temperment. That’s not to say that I didn’t make choices among potential candidates, but some of those choices were limited due to economics and/or availability at the time. Also, lifestyle changes were taking place, after a particular two decade period of missions related activity, in returning to a more stable lifestyle as a pastor again. That meant far less travel with most activity within the same city or township. In other words I was home more, wearing less hats. Also, that greatly enhanced our economic status. Not that pastors are well paid according to their community status or educational background, but there are added bonuses in addition to a decent salary. I actually began to have a savings account!

My first owned centerfire rifle was like this: A Brazilian Military 7 x 57 Mauser, still in its grease. The cost was $75.

That’s what I mean by background being a significant feature in choices. Then I was born in the Great Depression and witnessed the struggles of parents in survival mode. But it taught us to be thankful for little that became enough!

Reflection on that keeps us humble and thankful in the midst of too much focus on materialism in today’s super abundant culture. And that’s fully apparent with the media’s preoccupation, and political preoccupation, on “the economy” as though God ceased to exist or never did! And what if it crashes again?

Personally, I rest in God and His promises: “My God shall supply your ever need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus”: (Philippians 4: 19) – a promise for those who trust Him, as written to a church in Phillipi, Greece, by the apostle Paul from a prison in Rome.

True Christians – (there have been many false ones as Jesus said would happen) – throughout the centuries since, have been among the poorest and most persecuted of peoples. Even today, they are discriminated against in much of the world, and many are still being martyred, including pastors and their families. And what about America? Atheism is coming on stronger and stronger, and true believers are being increasingly maginalized.

With all that as not just a backdrop, but a current reality, what should be my attitude about gun ownership, and any other matter as part of my lifestyle? Good questions!

< This rifle hasn’t been raved about in the media, except by myself. It was purchased new in late March, 2022. My first handloads for it were put together on 22 and 23 March, 2022, but not fired until April 4, 2022. Those were from some .358-cal bullets I still had on hand from previous handloads in a .35 Whelen. The .35 Whelen has become one of my all-time favorites. This particular rifle: a Traditions G3 “Outfitter” is a single-shot with many good features, but was relatively cheap compared to a modern bolt-action repeater. The scope is a Diamondback Vortex, which is near the bottom in cost for a Vortex. In other words, the whole package was inexpensive in comparison to other brands and styles. . . but I love it! It’s light, handy, accurate and very powerful! It sees most action these days. If this were the only hunting rifle I could own, using my handloads, I’d not be deprived of any hunting on this continent or for African Plains Game!

A 225 Accubond at 2840 fps, or the 250 Partition at 2700 fps, or a 180 TTSX at 3050 fps could cover all world-wide hunting except two of Africa’s Dangerous Six!

Is God mean-spirited and against wealth? Apparently not as both Abraham and Job were among the wealthiest of their generations and neighbours. . . but each had their share of misery and unhappiness as a result, too. The point of biblical teaching is: don’t rely on it, live for it or worship it because it’s not God and is temporary at best and we can’t take it with us at death! And “it is appointed to all men (persons) to die, and after death to face judgment”. That’s facing God with no human or material supports, no bank account and empty pockets!

So, what is a rifle in comparison? It’s a “thing” at best. Nothing more! So it’s easy to send one away if we realize it’s no more than a temporary pleasure. . . or “thing”. Because that day is coming for me, you and everyone else. . . . where we will be “sent down the road” away from ALL temporary pleasures, likes and lusts! Then what?

So, what’s my life been worth? How will that be judged by God/Christ? For in the final analysis, that’s the only evaluation that will endure. What family thinks matters now; what you and others may think matters a very little now. . . but what God thinks matters more than what’s temporary and seen, because He knows me, the secrets of my heart, and whether I’ve treasured Him above all earthly good . . . God himself above His gifts – that’s the first and greatest commandment; Jesus said so!

Matthew 22: 34 – 40: Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the Law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

That’s the standard, and all nominal Christians agree. But the catch is: Nobody is able to do it! That is apart from what Jesus said to a Jewish Rabbi named Nicodemus: John’s Gospel ch 3: “Nicodemus, unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God”. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” – Paul declared! And Jesus answered the Pharisee Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. And whoever does not believe will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” – John 3: 16.

Knowing all that, and believing it, how can we enjoy any earthly pleasures – “stuff”? Recognise them for what they are – not for what they are not! God never intended that our fulfillment and happiness should depend on material possessions – they are temporary at best and though God permits them, and even gives them as gifts, they were never intended to be eternal or ultimate in their purpose. For anyone to do so amounts to the worship of idols, which is abhorrent to the One who created us for His purposes and glory. See: Isaiah chps 53 – 66.

But since I’m still alive in a temporary world, I enjoy legitimate temporary stuff. But if something happens to my brain or other physical apparatis, so that I can no longer enjoy living, then the loss of anything temporary has already taken place. For instance: One of my remaining very close friends is 86, and has had open heart surgery several years ago. His wife passed over a year ago in June/24. He has a bank account worth over a million and a 43 yr-old Down’s syndrome daughter who lives with him. Recently his legs have been badly swollen with water – a very bad symptom for a heart attack that he’s not likely to survive. I meet with him weekly over coffee and his main concern is for his daughter who is still very dependant on him. I had her mother’s funeral a year ago this past June. Soon, she may lose her father. Does millions in the bank and investments adequately compensate for that? My friend is a true believer in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, so he has no concerns over that personally, but he does for two of his three sons. To him, relationships have always meant more than money and possessions.

I’ve been thinking lately what I’d say at his funeral: As a biblical character, I’d relate him to Abraham, who was very wealthy, but primarily, apart from his trust in God, he was a family man.

So, priorities for any man should be first a meaningful relationship with God, and secondly, his relationship with family (his closest neighbours). In fact, the latter is very dependant on the former!

< How could my family love a face like that? A couple of years ago I had surgery on my nose. The surgeon took a piece of my forehead to patch the nose. It was about cancer concerns. My family was supportive and affectionate through it all. . . even my adult grandkids!

>Some of our supporters: 1/4 of our family: son Phil in blue, checking his GPS and about to fly that plane in background; his wife behind right elbow; their three daughters with two husbands (the oldest daughter was married sometime later than this pic – she’s the shortest – so now three sons-in-law, plus a grandson not in pic) – anyone of them worth far more than all the gold in the universe – to God and to my wife and me!

Till the next. . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

WHO is RIGHT?

In regard to what? Well, it should be somewhat obvious since this blog site is related to shooting rifles and hunting with them, as well as the equipment and components essential to the theme. Yet in my own case, practice has always preceeded theory. But ultimately, who is right, man or God, in regard to life and everything else in the universe?

< There are lots of theories about bullets, but until you try them you cannot be sure of how they will perform under certain conditions on particular animals. These were all .458s, except the last 2 on the far right, and results from the same tests.

I started hunting with minimal tools prior to the more sophisticated intellectual approach involved in the science of ballistics. But once that happened, practice either supported theory, altered it, and in some cases denied it. In fact, it seems that most of my life that is how things have worked. First practice then theory. Theory answers the question of “Why?”. For a majority of thinkers and doers it’s likely the other way around: First theory then practice: Get educated, then get a job.

My first real job for which I got paid was in a fishing boat on the East Coast of Canada, owned by my father and his younger brother. It was obvious my dad was in charge. Sometimes, depending on where and what was being fished, and the equipment in use, there were other crew members. That is where they were fishing, what they were fishing and how. I learned from being told as well as by observation and practice.

At age 15, I became a prominent paid crew member – one of a total of 3 during summer recess from school. My oldest brother was second in command to our father. My father was well educated for his times, and today I’d describe him as a very intelligent practical man. I still can’t fully comprehend how he could take a 48 ft seiner from Campobello Island at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, N.B. to another larger island 10 miles away in the mouth of the Bay of Fundy (which has the highest tides in the world), in pitch darkness and thick fog, to the back side (away from our port) of that Island to a tiny port from which we were to help make other fishermen successful in their enterprise. That would involve nightime travel, in fog, through shouls, ledges and rocks, with only charts, a compass and a depth finder. And what has not yet been said, is that not one fisherman in ten could do it! And did I not mention the tides moving in and out around those Islands and the whole B of F were like fast flowing rivers in a spring breakup! We never scraped bottom once! I was amazed, and still am. He passed on to his reward in 1972. Of course, before that they had a much larger boat with all the bells and whistles.

<Here she is after being sold and somewhat modified for a different catch – scallops instead of “fish” fish.

Intelligence and the practical in concert. . . .

I became a follower of Christ at a very young age, and was baptized at age 9 to confirm it. I didn’t know much theology and only a few verses from the Bible. But I watched my parents and was impressed. At age 12, I read the Bible through from the first verse in Genesis to the last in Revelation. Why? Because I wanted to know what I believed and why. At age 18 I entered Bible College and began to formally study the Bible and Theology, as well as some practical studies. After graduation, I was married to a classmate from both highschool and Bible College. Before marriage, however, I went back in the same fishing boat for about a month with my brother and dad to make some money before marriage. When we returned from our honeymoon in Bar Harbour, Maine, a letter of invitation to become pastor of three country churches in upper New Brunswick was waiting for me. God was in it all, and had ordained every step of the way till this very day.

What has been learned and confirmed? God had a plan for my life, and often behind the scenes has been working it out.

I share the genetics of both parents, but my father’s are dominant. First practice then theory or theology that explains answers to questions.

At heart, I’m a scientist (so say the books) or theologian if you will, but I must always prove the theory right or wrong (or adjust it as needed), same with formal theology. If I had a hard question for my theology or biblical teachers, I’d ask it, and dispute if not satisfied. My dad was no pushover when it came to life’s work or mysteries: Once he sent my older cousin home in tears. She had a Master’s in Theology and Christian Counselling, who highly respected my dad, but was a bit too forceful in debating a particular controversial theological point with him!

All that as a glimpse into my background as a learner, teacher, preacher, “theologian” and missions leader, as well as a hobbiest in astronomy and rifle handloader and hunter.

So, Who is Right? We discern it not by theory but by practice. In regard to what? Well, for one thing, “science”, so called, is quite often revising or even contradicting theories through practice!

I get some science updates quite frequently in my “In Box”. Recently, it was “discovered” in a remote part of Asia that “Modern Man” didn’t emerge from “the darkness” of ignorance of most things 50,000 years ago, BUT 350,000 years ago! Who whould of thought it? After all “science” knows stuff we all don’t know or wouldn’t know apart from “science” (which has become The Bible for most who are still emerging from “The Dark Ages”). But almost monthly now, the Hubble Telescope is discovering “stuff” both inside and far beyond our galaxy -The Milky Way – that turns a lot of former science (theory) on its head! And I both expected that and expect it will continue to adjust, reshape, change and annihilate a lot of science as fiction or myths when taught in our schools and universities a decade from now – if the earth remains till then!

How do I know God exists? And if He does, does He answer prayer? In answer to the first question: I believed in His existence as far back as I remember my parents witness, some basic teaching, reading the Bible on my own, and other basic evidences such as creation and the meaning of life. It just made sense to me. But most importantly was my personal experience of Him. I can’t go into all that here, but He showed up real and personal in too many ways and experiences to have any doubts, and NO doubts about the Bible’s truth and basic foundation for my faith. Does He answer prayer? Conditionally, yes! Faith (trust) in Him is the basic condition, and His will is the second condition: See Book of HEBREWS ch 11 and especially vs 6 ! As well, the prayer life of Jesus, and his teaching on prayer: ” Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name; Your kingdom come, and your WILL be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. . .”

Has He answered any of my prayers? Yes, many, but I’ve not always trusted Him, but have confessed that and learned vital lessons from it ! And He has forgiven! Do I sin or fail? Yep! But we talk about it, He helps, forgives, strengthens and is faithful to His promises!

40 years ago, “science said” you shouldn’t load your 1895 Marlin beyond 28,000 cup/psi (whatever that was). In more recent times you can now go to at least 40,000 psi. Did theory do that or practice? My first 1895 Marlin, I kept pretty much to “the rules”. And I shot a nice bear (my first) at 100 yds. But as I began to research and test more on that matter, my 2nd 1895 Marlin was easily pushing 400s down the tube 200 fps faster! While most, who considered themselves connoisseurs of that venerable cartridge, were mildly or loudly objecting with proclamations of doom and disaster, Marlin kept right on building them and users were discovering their promise of defence against the “Great Bears”, as well as stretching trajectory another 50 to 100 useful yards.

Did science and theory do that or practice? Well. . . maybe science had a wee-bit of a hand in it with better metals and powders, but ignorant hunters (due to theories) where finding out by practice that there was no harm in pushing a 400gr to 2000+ fps, and not only “no harm” but a lot of GOOD! “Then” happened: Objections where heard that the Ole .45-70 was “good enough” in the BP days, so why try and improve on “good enough”? Thankfully, not too many were listening! The next bear I shot with an 1895 Marlin took a 400gr in the left flank in a going away 100 yd shot that passed through the body diagonally, emerging intact just behind the right shoulder. The bear was flattened right there! MV was 2110 fps/3954 ft-lbs.

Impact velocity was equal to the muzzle velocity of that first bear taken. So how much improvement was that? At least100 yards! If the fist 1895 Marlin’s load was good enough for a large bear at 100 yds, then obviously (logically) the next bear taken at the same range with another 1895 Marlin at an impact velocity from a 405gr that equaled the muzzle velocity of the 400gr Speer , then that new load was as capable on the same size bear at +200 yds! In fact, that first load on my first bear from the Marlin was a 400gr Speer at 1865 fps. The next bear with a new Marlin (I’d killed others with other rifles in between – some single-shot .45-70s) used a better 405gr and hit that second “Marlin bear” at 1863 fps – at 100 yds calculated. Yet that first load at 1865 fps was, I firmly believe, capable on that same bear to at least an additional 25 to 50 yards. So, I’ve no doubts that the latter load by the second Marlin killing was capable to past 200 yds on a large bear.

< My first “Marlin bear”.

That is far and away different than what is thought or published in today’s media and even handloading sources and manuals! Again, our theme from the top. . . .

WHO is RIGHT?

And I could go on and on with similar evidences. . . . . My planned load for bear on this year’s hunt is a better 400gr yet at an MV of 2236 fps/4440 ft-lbs. That load would be good on a big bear to 300 yds, though not needed for where I’ll be hunting. But not from an 1895 Marlin, but the rifle on the header – my Ruger No.1H in .458 Win Mag; a reduced load from a 400gr.

Today “everyone” believes the “science” of evolution. It’s assumed! It’s taught to little kids and in universities, so it must be right? Wrong! The truth is, it’s a theory to try and answer questions of: Where does everything come from, and how did it get started? Well, apart from God there is no answer! Basic physics teaches “cause and effect”. Every effect has a cause. Either matter and energy are eternal or God is. And that debate goes all the way back to the Areopagus in Athens in the Apostle Paul’s time: Acts 17.

That matter or energy is eternal, having a mind of it’s own and decided to blow up one day ultimately producing all that we see or can’t see is NOT rational or logical to my “scientific” mind! But GOD is! And athestic science hates Genesis 1:1- “IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH.”

Who is right and who is wrong in that debate? God is “The ALPHA (beginning) and The OMEGA (end)” “Without beginning of days or end of life” – He will have the final say in any argument over his eternal existence. The Uncaused Cause of all that is! That takes faith, true, but faith that produces results as a personal experience. I know God is my ultimate Father. I’ve experienced Him, and continue to do so on a daily basis. The results are there in practical living every day.

By faith, I believed in His existence. In practice I have experienced it.

In a sense, for me it’s the same thing that RL-17 could do for the .375 H&H what it proved it could and did perform in the Tikka 9.3 x 62. I was not satisfied with the results from RL-15 and expressed that to a reloading friend (former hunting partner) who had moved farther away to the north. Over the phone he suggested I give RL-17 a try: said it was working wonders in the rifles of some new friends. I didn’t even know of it’s existence (like a lot of people about God). I bought a single 1 lb can and it was like a miracle. From RL-15 I was getting about 2400 fps from the 286gr Hornady. From RL-17 I was nudging 2600 fps. I then purchased some 286gr Partitions and seating bullets to 3.37″ (constrained by the clip magazine), I was ultimately able to use 70 grs at 2630 to 2640 fps without any stresses. I’d settled on a MAP of 64,000 psi, same as the .338 Win Mag, since Tikka had produced and was marketing that exact same rifle as mine in .338 Win Mag with a 24″ barrel as the only difference (mine was 22.4″). I used that load for 10 years under both the 250 AB at 2700+ fps and the 285 NP at 2630 fps+. That became reality based on evidence and the belief that it would be a significant improvement over Rl-15. Yet the majority of 9.3 x 62 users are stuck with outdated powders – like scientists who refuse to believe that some theories that purports to explain “the universe” have proven to be unsound if not altogether false! For example: new revelations due to the work of the Hubble telescope have ” proven” that gravitation, in and of itself, cannot explain the movement of galaxies in relation to others, or their formation. “Dark Matter”, which they can’t see or measure, is much more decisive in that regard than gravity. They see the effects of “Dark Matter” – so called because they “scientifically” don’t know what it is, but “something” is “out there” moving stuff around that can’t be explained by any known scientific formula! How about the novel idea of calling it “GOD!? Oh no, we can’t do that, “science” wouldn’t approve! We might offend those who “know stuff”, er . . . “science”.

So, I figured from that response in my 9.3 x 62 that it should work as well in my .375 H&H with 300s. I was not disappointed as 2700 fps became a reality from the 22″ barrel of my .375 H&H using the 300gr TSX.

“Don’t you know, Bob, that’s impossible without blowing up your .375 H&H rifle and losing a few fingers in the process? That’s NEVER been done since the creation of that venerable rifle way back in London in 1912!!”

I treat faith in God in the same manner, which by the way confirms the Bible. I trust Him and He responds in the matter for which I trusted Him. But even my trust factor came from Him. (Ephesians 2: 8 – 10). As the former agnostic C.S. Lewis wrote: “Once we admit God exists, then anything is possible, and nothing is impossible.”

God is recorded as asking: “Is anything too hard for me? And the prophets response: “For with God nothing is impossible”. Jesus said: “According to your faith, be it unto you.” If you don’t believe Him, or IN Him, then don’t expect anything from Him! On the other hand, He might surprise you in some way, causing you to believe – sometimes that’s His mercy to the rebellious.

Before refilling the tote:

After refreshing the tote, and scattering some of it around on the ground, I pushed the sticks through the holes in the ends and placed the logs on top – the largest with a distinct “thump” so the bear would hear it if in the area. Then I walked over to my .375 H&H, picked it up in my left hand and walked to the edge of the ridge (see top pic where two trees are close together in upper left) looking off in the direction I believed he was coming from (near upper right corner of pic). Then took a step to return to the bait site to retrieve the bait bucket (not in pic) and spontaneously, just above a whisper, said “Lord, it would be nice to see him”. Then, out of the corner of my left eye saw black movement. From about 75 yds he was coming in my direction.

As witnessed on last year’s bear hunt (2024): I knew from all evidence (scat and how he treated the site, plus no other bears or wildlife in the area (well known by moose and deer hunters) that he was a dominant boar bear but had never seen him in two years. On the last day of the hunt, after refilling the tote with “bear grub” and scattering some around on the ground, I walked along the ridge, looking off into the distance from which I was certain he was coming to the bait site. I took a step to leave and totally unrehearsed said just above a whisper: “Lord, it would be nice to see him.” I took a second step to leave and out of the corner of my left eye I saw black movement. I turned in that direction, and sure enough he was coming in my direction from about 75 yds. I watched his unrushed giant strides, he never looked up, no nervousness, just a steady unbroken stride. . . at about 35 yds I put the riflescope on him and watched for another 10 yds till he was about 20 -25 yds below me, and lowered the rifle, turned and walked away. I could have killed him but didn’t: He was too big and beautiful, plus I’d asked to see him, not to shoot him. How big was he? 500 + lbs! I was alone in a remote area and didn’t want a bear over 200 lbs maximum. I was not “trophy” hunting, but I already knew he was much larger than that, but did want to see him and possibly get a photo. I couldn’t do that because it all happened within seconds and the camera was in a case with a strap around my neck, and both hands were occupied holding the .375 H&H with the rifle scope on him.

So, Who is Right? God or man?

I couldn’t believe it that just today (Saturday) there’s an ongoing discussion/debate over the .35 Whelen’s capability to safely fire 200-gr bullets at 3000 fps. Three years ago that same question/issue was being debated on the same forum when SIERRA and SPEER had already published new handloading manuals showing 200s at 3000 fps from Sierra and 2700 fps for 250s from Speer. It’s like some people debating some critically relevant point of theology without having seriously studied the Bible, or even read more than a few chapters, or worse never at all! They get their “theology” from hearsay, opinions or their own ideas of what God is like, or should be!

< A 250gr Nosler Partition from my Traditions G3 rifle in .35 Whelen with a 22″ barrel.

Till the next. . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

INDEPENDENT Thinking. . . .

. . . . . or thinking “outside the box”.

That involves many areas of living, including politics, religion and even the rifles we use!

Not long ago, as I was travelling in my Ford, I turned on the radio to a sports’ news station and heard a former NHL hockey player of some fame, turned coach, being interviewed over how a particular star player of the Toronto Maple Leafs was handling current criticism by both the media and fans over his typical “no show” during playoffs of the past few years. In reply, his comments were about himself.

Basically, he said he doubted that the player in question should pay much attention to the media critics as it would only impact him negatively, not in any positive manner. He then went on to state his own experience in which he affirmed that he knew much more about the game and his own abilities than the media, made up mostly of those with no hockey experience, and certainly, if they did it was not at the NHL level.

That’s an attitude I endorse, and have throughout sixty-seven years as a pastor- missions leader. That’s not to say I was perfect or without fault in all I did or said, but I didn’t get chosen to the positions I filled due to being an abject failure!

When applied to choices and decisions in life, I respect the person who has acted within their conscience based on knowledge of facts and truth without undue bias based on what others say and do because they have a reputation to protect.

In younger years I respected the teachings and wisdom of mentors within reasonable limits, but they were not “holding my hand” when I became a youthful pastor at age 21 of three country churches – which none of them had ever experienced. I yet had much to learn, and was learning at a fast pace while standing on my own two feet!

So it is with those who become true leaders – or so it should be!

I’m sure you’ve noticed how auto manufacturers, foreign or domestic, follow each other in design and options, especially if the introduction of a novel design sells well initially! The same with rifles and cartridges!

A politician can become popular by his/her appearance and talking on TV! We have one of those as PM of Canada! He was elected with a strong majority back in 2015 but now is disliked by the majority of Canadians from coast to coast to coast!

Remember the Edsel? By Ford? No? I don’t blame you as Ford would like to forget it as well!

The points I’m making are really a single one. . . . THINK for yourself! Seek truth and never let it go! Is the .33 Nosler truly an improvement on the .338 Winchester Magnum? Is Neo- Darwinism truth or theory? If theory then why is it taught in schools as science, when many recent scientific discoveries contradict it? And so on . . . . Google “Reasons To Believe” created by the PhD Astrophysicist, Hugh Ross, and run by Christian scientists.

People are gullible, and will follow what appears most popular for a limited time. Then there are the “antis” of the media, politicians, teachers and universities.

“Follow the money”. . . . Where?

“Politics”? Where?

Everything that’s happening and troubling the world today was predicted in The BIBLE centuries ago: Israel, the Middle East, Europe and the whole world is headed for a conflagration, and like Jesus said: “People will go on in their lives like they did in NOAH’s day, until the FLOOD came and took them all away”. The people had lived as they had for generations with growing moral decadence and corruption all around and within them and they never noticed because it all seemed so “normal”.

Yet, Jesus will be the final Messiah, but he prophesied wars, troubles, disasters and rebellions before his return to Earth when he puts an end to it. And all the world (that remains) will look on the One they crucified, and bow before him, bending their knees confessing He is Lord of all!

Thinking outside the box we live in will take courage, fortitude and a clear mind and conscience. Of course, we also live in our present world, hopefully with both feet on the ground. And that involves our attitude about all that we possess and do, and all relationships.

Our governments would have us all buying EVs today and on into the future! But polls show that fewer potential buyers want them, so our “master” will legislate it! But will he still be around as government leader? Right now it’s not looking that way as the Federal election is coming up this year! Don’t put your confidence in that which is crumbling, but rather in the only true God who never changes and has been around since eternal ages!

My rifles (that remain and are temporary) are not exciting for those who crave recognition for having chosen the latest in neuveau cartridges. But they have endured through good times and bad having both better propellants and projectiles readily available to boost their already stellar performances that the latest “best sellers” can only dream of.

The .35 Whelen is experiencing a revival among those who have hidden them in the dark corners of their “gun rooms” – thinking a “Magnum” prefix added something of value. But now the dawning of a new era has awakened sleepers to a fresh realization of exactly what they stowed away in a dark corner!

<This, my .35 Whelen, was actively involved in last year’s bear hunt!

But all “magnums” have NOT been poor choices either! There are two that are “ancient” but better than ever! I have one of each that are capable of performances above and beyond any and all potential “need”! Yet they’ve been around “forever” – the circa1912 Holland & Holland .375 magnum. And if more is wanted than that, there is the undaunted, formidible, famed and unbeatable .458 Winchester Magnum of circa 1956!

Yet our relationship to the “now world” is tenuous and rapidly changing. How then should we live?

Well, I for one will go on living mostly as I’ve done in the past, and of course that means with the constraints imposed by the aging process. But not only due to my age but that of my wife also. She is fast becoming a cripple, so I must give more attention to her needs than anything else that I might enjoy doing. And that’s not a “joyless” activity either! After all, she’s been a faithful companion for the past 67 years and is more than worthy of all the help and attention I can lovingly give her! Nothing is more important as we finish our time here.

Other than that, I’ll continue with handloading, shooting and hunting as time and personal health permit, with a joyful and thankful heart for all blessings from “God above”, according to James, our LORD’s earthly brother – who didn’t believe in him until Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. (James ch. 1, vs 17: “Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven’s lights (stars, Sun and Moon). Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows.” -NLT)

As per a recent post, the Tikka T3 Lite in 9.3 x 62 has gone to our oldest son, Brent, with reloading equipment, brass and bullets. I have three remaining for handloads: .35 Whelen, .375 H&H and the Ruger No.1H in .458 Winchester Magnum, anyone of which could easily handle all hunting needs. . . . But not all handloading and shooting or hunting questions that remain. So, I’m more than happy to continue with aspects of that “scientific” research . . . . Loads that remain untried (perhaps by the many), or hunts only dreamt of. . . . And I hope to see that bear again next year so I can get a pic of him. . . . . .

Incidentally: It was indeed “thinking outside the box” that gave me that excellent bullet load for my .375 H&H, which I toted both spring and fall for the bear hunt. A 300g at 2674 fps (avg) from the 22″ barrel into MOA! That’s right there with an AI version, or even from a .375 Wby Mag with a 22″ tube! And mine’s just a simple .375 H&H. . . . nothing extra! I’d considered having it “AI’d”, but gave up that idea for several reasons, but chiefly because I’m already “there”! How’d that come about?

First: because the barrel is obviously a “fast” one. And secondly: Because I ventured where nobody has gone before -that is on record. Due to my experience with RL-17 in my 9.3 x 62 under heavy bullets (250g, 286g and 320g), and getting MVs previously unheard of (unpublished), I knew it would be the very best for 300-grainers in the .375 H&H. And indeed, I reached 2700 fps from the 300g TSX with no signs of excess pressure. But due to the fact of only having 1/2 lb remaining, I sought for a replacement. Then that long search began, finally terminating with Winchester StaBALL 6.5 as a suitable substitute with normal looking cases and primers after firing a well-suited amount under both the 300g TSX and 300g SBT – that gave the approximate same MVs. Of course, the SBTs (Sierras) have a much better B.C. rating, so it was chosen for the bear hunt, and that’s what I’d wanted to try from the outset.

With a Christmas gift card from son Phil, I purchased another bottle of StaBALL 6.5 ($90 including tax), and a new style bench rifle rest that should cancel-out any wobbles!

<From the Garmin Xero: The 300g Sierra BT fired over StaBALL 6.5 in my Zastava M70, .375 H&H. The mean from 3 shots = 2674 fps/4764 ft-lbs

<Case head and primer appearance from those 3 shots that were also checked for accuracy before the hunt. They were sighted for dead-on at 100 yds.

And you know what? I’ve done the same thing with .45-70s, the .458 Win and a .340 Wby! What? I haven’t stayed in “the box” with any of ’em, and I’ve had a blast in doing it! Think I’m crazy? That’s OK, I’ll be 89 tomorrow and I saw the biggest bad black bear of my life this past October 15, up close and personal and didn’t even fire a shot! I don’t wear crutches or have others pushing me around in a wheelchair, or dribble in my coffee or broken a rifle yet! AND! I’m making plans for a spring bear hunt! If I stayed “in the box” I’d become so bored that life here wouldn’t be worth it! But I give all credit to my heavenly Father who showed me to seek truth above all else and I had to be an Independant Thinker to get the best of anything!

It’s a conumdrum to me that many will fight and vote for the Constitutional right “to bear arms”, taking the Second Amendment litterally to mean, as intended by the original authors , the right to own firearms, and any infringment on that right is contrary to The Constitution and amounts to breaking the law of the United States of America. . . . . Yet, when it comes to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, many are content to ignore it at the least, and downright claim that it’s not God’s Word and unreliable at the worst even though it predates The Constitution of the USA by 4 millennia for the oldest part and about 2 millennia for the youngest parts. Moreover, there is NO ancient manuscript that is accepted as original that comes close to the numbers of manuscripts that bear witness to the originals that our Bible translations are based on by the best conservative scholars.

And the best conservative lawyers of the US Constitution have historically argued that ONLY a literal interpretation and application of The Constitution, as intended by its framers, is legitimate and lawful, yet when “liers” (so-called Seminary “Scholars”) claim that the Bible should not be taken literally, or should be interpreted and applied in a “modern light”, who is the hypocrite?

I have 9 Bible Translations in english – some old KJV and some modern like the NIV and others. I also have an old French version, and at one time a French Catholic version. As well, I own a library of scholary works on every book, chapter and verse of the Bible from the first book of the Bible (total of 66 books) Genesis chapter one, verse one to the last book, Revelation, and its last verse, ch 22: vs 21. I’ve taught whole books of the Bible – both Old and New Testaments, such as the Book of Hebrews from the N.T. and Isaiah from the O.T., chapter by chapter and verse by verse. I’m also a Bible College graduate and have taken special studies from other colleges. I read the KJV version through from Genesis the first verse to Revelation tha last verse at age 12. I’ve yet to find anything in the Bible that I disagree with or that baffles me! Honestly! Understood, like The American Constitution, there are parts that need careful and scholarly interpretation, and therefore application, but for me and those I’ve taught – and still teach – it’s nothing less than The Word of God as a whole, taking into consideration its variable contexts. That is, not everything in the Bible was written for my benefit in my context, but for (example) the Nation of Israel or particular individuals, but there is a secondary application that may fit my life. As for example: The Psalms of King David. They were mostly written during significant stresses in his life recorded in the books of Kings and Chronicles. But his songs/poems of the Book of Psalms have been a great personal blessing in strengthening my faith during times of stressful challenges. As the apostle Paul wrote: “All scripture (re: the O.T. of Israel) is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. . . ” (2 Timothy 3:16). Plus there are important prophecies of the Old Testament that have been fulfilled in details (re: nations and Jesus (Messiah), and some yet to be fulfilled: re the end times.

There’s a simple but reliable rule of biblical interpretation that says: “When the common sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you end in nonsense”!

Do you know this fellow? His name is Ben and was my youthful partner in a few bear hunts on private property in 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2014 he was 19 at the time and hunted with me at my favorite Crown Land site, where and when this pic was taken of him. He was 6′-5″ and 300 lbs. I shot a bear with the CZ .458 Win and he with my other partner, Ken (a retired CO), helped me deal with it.

Do you believe me? I think you do as I was the main participant (it was my hunt and they were partners). I was also an eye witness and knew those guys very well. Why would I lie?

The facts about Jesus life, death and resurrection were recorded by those who were his partners. They had difficulty accepting his crucifixion, but not only that, also his resurrection and appearance to them afterwards. They also were with him for forty days after his rising from the dead and witnessed his ascension. Their dread was changed to unbelievable JOY! Why would they fabricate such a lie if he was still dead? And then risk their lives in preaching this “good news”?

I’ve never found any sort of logic that would compell me to change that good news since I first read it in the Bible seventy-seven years ago. For me, it remains The Constitution of Truth for God’s Kingdom! “So help me God, I can do none other!” , declared Martin Luther on October 31, 1517 when he nailed his “Ninety-Five Thesis” to the door of the Wittenberg church in Germany.

< At age 57 in this pic. Have I been a “straight shooter” in all matters? Why would I deny, now at eighty-nine years, what I’ve known to be true for my whole life?

Till the next. . . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

4 days till Christmas!

Our first Christmas as a married couple was 1957. We’d been married for six months, less 3 days. I’d be 22 four days later and my wife was already 21. I preached my first Christmas message in three churches under my care in 1957. Since then, I’ve preached another sixty-three, at least. I’m still a pastor to some, though of official retirement as of January 1st, 2021.

All that to say: How could I let this Christmas pass without honoring my Lord Jesus Christ, once again in a public statement of personal faith/trust in him?

Understood: For the Commercial World at large it may be nothing more than “Black Fridays” all over again! But there are still “a few” of us who remain believers of The Truth! Then it was “The Few”- just some angels, a few shepherds, a mother and her husband, and the Lord God Almighty! And, lest I forget, some kings from the East who recognized Him as a king born, a long-term widow at the Temple, and a man named Simeon both into their eighties who recognized that baby as the promised Messiah (Luke 2).

That, of course, was recorded as history in the first century of the Christian Church, not as a made-up “story” as liberal “theologians” have taught it in their seminaries in recent times. Compare that to The Four Gospels of The New Testament part of The Bible. Then it was believed and proclaimed as “gospel” (Good News) during the first few centuries of the Christain era. But the further believers were removed from the early facts, some distortions and doubts were proposed by unbelievers who became “members” through deception and lies – just as Jesus and the apostles said would happen!

And it’s no different in our time! Many call themselves “Christian” while denying the basic tenants of Christian faith – like disbelieving the possibility of the supernatural or miracles: the Virgin Birth of Jesus, His miracles, a good part of His teachings, His death, burial and resurrection, His ascension, and His promised return. . . etc, as that “upsets” their entire philosophical exclusive trust in the “natural” and “physics”, so called, failing to accept that “physics” of the recent past has been turned on its head more often than not in their lifetimes.

New discoveries from the Hubble and Webb telescopes have astrophysicists baffeled as “dark matter”, so-called” defies their religiously held “physics”! Instead of the fast-held “physics” of the “big bang” theory of the universe that (logic) says the Universe should be slowing down in its expansion after “14 billion years”, Hubble and Webb shows it to be speeding up in expansion! Then this so-called “dark matter” that seems to be everywhere and controlling everything! How about calling this “dark matter” GOD, that they clearly don’t understand or can’t figure-out based on their “physics (math). But since generations of “scientists” have bet their entire destinations on the hope of “no GOD” (Compare Psalms 19 and 14), and a few years of a “glorious” future till non-existence after death . . . what do they really have to offer to a perishing world around them? The Gospel (Good News) is that God is reality and no lie, and so is Jesus! And whoever, in true faith, calls on Him for forgiveness and salvation from death and judgment WILL have eternal life in a new and better place where pain, diseases, sickness and death can never enter – nor hate, wars, lies, lust, anxiety or any thought of wrongdoing!

Obviously not Heaven, but perhaps the closest thing to it on Earth. Scenery I pass by on my way to Crown Land hunting areas.

That’s the original meaning of the Greek New Testament word (euaggelizo) – from which we get “evangelize”- to proclaim good news! That’s the true meaning of CHRISTMAS! A Saviour is born, Jesus, the Son of God who came into this world to show us GOD and provide salvation by His life, death, resurrection and ascension where he represents us before the righteous Throne of God the Father, and presents us (those who believe and put their trust in Him for forgivness and salvation) before The Father as His own (John 14: 1 – 6)! That’s GOOD NEWS! Because He lives, we (who believe) do now have eternal life through Him, assuring our resurrection from the dead and receiving a body that will never die! (I Corinthians ch 15). Or meeting Him at His return when we shall be transformed into His likeness. (1Thessalonians ch 4: 13 – 18)

Of course, since the true message of CHRISTMAS has long been lost, we’ve had to make it a commercial celebration that largely ignores Christ in pandering to self-pleasuring!

Still, may I wish you a joy-filled Christmas in the right sense of Christ’s birthday, and God’s best for you in 2025!

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

The FEAR of RECOIL

The fear of recoil is natural, I suppose, for certain individuals who are just starting to shoot rifles suitable for big game hunting vs small game and varmints. Then there are others who may still be developing in size and strength such as a 12 to 14 year old. Plus, seniors and others with injuries and/or debilitating muscular and joint issues such as particular types of arthritis, which I myself have. And the aging process takes its own toll on all of us from about age 50 onward – some more quickly than others, but it happens to all. Just look at other sports: baseball, hockey, basketball and football – the four major team sports of North America, with soccer becoming more popular as time goes on. Then there are the individual sports like boxing and tennis – all or any of these can induce not only pain to joints and muscles but life altering trauma, particularly in body-contact sports like football and hockey. Some are left with disabilities for the rest of their lives.

When I was in Africa for a visit with our oldest son, Brent, and family, he took me for a day of local hunting. He also hired a local guy, Madi, as guide – who was also a friend. Brent handed me his 12ga Stevens pump loaded with Brenneke slugs, saying: “If we run into a lion or buffalo, shoot it!” , with limited instructions on using the shotgun. He never mentioned recoil of the light 12ga as it never occured to him that it was that important, knowing I was well experienced in that regard. A quick calculation put it at about 30 ft-lbs. Real situations in his world at the time didn’t consider the kick of a 485gr Brenneke slug leaving the muzzle at ~1600 fps as a matter of reflection or concern whenever chancing a sudden meet-up with said beasties. That would be a normal view of such a matter when living among such beasts that commonly killed citizens of his village and surroundings. <Madi, my African guide pointing out a track that I’d have missed, and could barely see after he touched it with his stick. That’s the Stevens 12ga in my hands.

In contrast to that, in North America, outside of Alaska, it’s rarely heard of that a hunter got involved with a beast that killed him – it happens, but not frequently ! “Recoil” needs perspective!

I’ve mentioned “certain individuals”, as it’s very much a personal matter in dealing with the “shock” of shouldering and firing a firearm capable of taking down a moose size creature at 400 yds or more. Of course, we’re not all “GI Joes” at heart either! We all have mental and emotional dispositions that are unique to the individual. Some, and maybe more than “some”, are quite sensitive in mind and spirit, or even in a physical sense, who will not naturally expose themselves to that kind of trauma. In spite of particular “experts” attempts in the denial of biological realities to the discredit of science, recent results from top neurologists and psychololgists have confirmed that women are literally “wired” differently than men and feel pain more accutely both mentally and physically than their male counterparts. Sure, some women are tougher than some men, especially in mental strength. But the exception confirms the rule, and we men need to be more sensitive to the needs and whims of our wives witout becoming intimidated ourselves.

Having said all that, and a lot more could be “said”, there seems to be, according to some pundits (who quote one another) the notion that most hunter-shooters can learn to handle the recoil level of a .375 H&H without undue trauma. Of course, that’s the talk of “men”, not necessarily “women”. Yes, some women can “learn to” when the rifle fits and with particular loads, but I’d certainly NOT recommend 40 plus ft-lbs of recoil for the average female hunter as a regular diet.

Then, we’ve raised a couple generations (a generation = ~30 years) in North America who’ve experienced very little pain in their normal lives. In general, they’ve been pampered, and the more WE are pampered the less inclined we are to wecome offences of ANY kind, including anything stressful to mind or body. Lawyers have never had it so good – especially those who’s work involves litigations.

And, agreed, there are exceptions to those norms. In Canada, the situation is far worse, as we don’t have much of a military (at least like we had during the WW2) with its imposed training and discipline. The Liberal Gov’t has even mandated tampons for guys washrooms in the military. Of course, there’s been a revolt and a “Government” investigation!

I was born in the “dirty thirties” and never knew any kind of “Government ownership” of my “security” until I (we) came under the Canadian health-care program – whenever that happened, and for which we paid our fair share. If the Government goes bankrupt tomorrow, so do we!

But this is my hope and trust: “Those who wait for me will never be put to shame . . . If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me. You will soon lie down in great torment.” (Isaiah chps 49-50).

You might complain: What does the above have to do with “handling recoil?” Everything for me: I’m not a fearful person mainly because of the truth of those words – and hundreds more from God in The Bible.

While I have considerable experience in shooting heavy-recoiling rifles, even today with severe arthritis and other issues, I’m not a “big man” with extra-ordinary strength, except possibly in mental and emotional strength for which I give credit to my Creator! I have HOPE in God my Saviour for everlasting life, and so I don’t live today like I must live as if these are the last few days of my existence, so must protect myself from all dangers and offences. But that’s not to say that I’m free to live recklessly! I’m free to live as He wants, that being happily until my journey here is done! And this has been a meaningful part of God’s ordained journey for my life , especially for the past four years after official retirement.

I”ve never lived a reckless life, nor a self-absolved, self-protective one since my youth. Why? Because of knowing the truth about Jesus who said (and was vindicated by God in raising him from the dead – Mohammed’s dead, so is Budda, or any other “religious” figure! Only Jesus is alive!): “I am the Way, the Truth and the LIFE! No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Now either he was a liar, deceived, or the TRUTH! And he alone was endorsed by GOD as “My beloved son in whom I’m well pleased”. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes (trusts in) him will not perish but have everlasting (eternal) life”. (John 3:16).

That was and is my source of hope, health and strength before I ever picked up my first hunting rifle. That’s where my courage and strength ultimately came from in never fearing to venture beyond my knowledge and experience at the time of venturing.

Yet I’ve always been quite physically strong for my size. However, today I’m weaker than I was at sixteen – yet still handling and shooting my .458 Winchester Magnum – but not with max loads as I did two years ago. More recently I’ve shot 12 of those 20 Federal 400gr TBBCs, reserving 6 for the bear hunt. They left the muzzle at ~2282 fps avg. Calculated recoil is ~40 ft-lbs including the Mag-Na-Porting. With 4 in the stock cartridge holder, it’s 38 ft-lbs. I manage that – no fears or problems (yet).

In early October, 2021, I was taking my Ruger No.1H in .458 Win Mag for a walk – where I walked again this past Thursday, October 3, 2024. In 2021 I was scouting for bear sign. This past Thursday I actually visited this spot again checking bear sign. It is about 75 yards to the north of this year’s bait setup – that was hit once again. I did more scouting for the ideal spot for my blind which will be put in place on my next visit. Then the following two weeks – if needed – waiting and watching for a bear will be from that location. This is what I found this past Thursday . . . It was empty with the lid 8 meters away. And this is bear grub for his next big meal or three: 10 lbs of bird seed, marshmallows and licorice, plus molasses on top. And lots of licorice and marshmallows scattered around the tote, on the ground within a 10 ft circle (more of less) with more on the logs and lid: At the end of that activity, I spent the next 1 and1/2 hrs watching and scouting from where my blind will go for next week’s hunt. And he will find every piece, even those hidden under leaves and debris. . . even those that I’ve hidden on purpose because of his nose that’s stronger than a blood hound’s. And I will have time to watch and study him – will he be too big for my purposes? And, hopefully, I’ll have time for some pics unless he catches my scent! I say “he” because I’m certain that it’s a male bruin.

AM I HAVING FUN OR WHAT?

BUT! My main goal is to look after my wife and care for her. She has an undaunted spirit, but unfortunately her physical status is unable to keep up with her spirit. She just turned 88 last month, and she has been a faithful companion for 67 years.

I share all this so you may understand my status today, and where I’ve been and came from. I have a positive spirit and am a happy man despite challenges and uncertainties that are temporary at best. To once again quote the Holy Bible: “My help comes from the LORD who made the heavens and the earth” (Psalm 121, vs 2). He has ordained my temporary days on earth and my hope for an eternal future!

And you may experience that same fearless hope, by putting your present, past and future in the hands of His only Son, Jesus, the Saviour of all who call upon him for salvation from sins debts, and an eternal home with God and his redeemed and forgiven ones. His terms – that are not “religious” or human . . . .

Till the next . . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL