I've been invited from the start of it years ago but it never fit my schedule well until this year. Living in Alaska might have had something to do with that.

I thought it was organized well (thanks Jason)...hosted well (thanks Keith, Tom and Jason)...and the meals were good. The shooting weather was about perfect although we had some wind but not bad.

The people attending were top notch and it was great to re-establish some connections from long ago. It's always interesting to meet in person many of you that I've corresponded with over the years.

Everyone was beyond generous with their ammo, guns, food, tools, etc. It's just a great group of people gathering over common interests. I got to shoot a number of guns I had been curious about. Here's just a few of the highlights for me.

Let's see...Tom Richardson's sweet flat latch S&W snub with stags (fantastic DA)...loved that gun and you sir, are a gentleman. Thanks so much for the great conversations. I really enjoyed pounding the steel with your Ruger AR as well. Couldn't miss with that one. By the way, I agree that Jason probably rubbed the edges off that ammo box before returning it. He's a wily one.

I enjoyed the amazing generosity of Cannon and Jeremy and their dad. Jeremy has the coolest 5 shot 357 on a single-six frame. Your work is impressive Jeremy. Shooting your dad's 45 ACP derringer cracked me up. Ooo...the silenced .22 Contender was nuts. Literally silent with the only noise being the bullet strike on steel. Too cool and every time I shot it I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I loved shooting the 475 and 500 Maxs. Thanks so much for that opportunity...no, seriously. I've been wanting to shoot a Max since the first Linebaugh seminar. That's the one big bore that has eluded me thus far. The accuracy of them was impressive and there's no doubt that the shooter is the limitation there. I loved that Ruger #1 in 475 and Jeremy...I agree that you need to run a Max reamer through it. The Rossi 480 was cool. Wish I could find a #1 and Rossi in 480. It's on the short list.

Jared, it was great to connect again. You are a generous man and I loved our conversations. My ammo is yours bro...wait, maybe that WAS your ammo. Good times and many more to come! I've got the 327 Federal itch now and that jungle carbine was too cool.

Mark Cassill...good to see you again sir. Thanks for letting me try your 500 Redhawk. It's much more civilized than Ashley's rude one!

Mark Stevenson, I loved our visits and I hope you didn't miss the 100 lbs of ballast, I mean ammo that went home with me. Thanks for selling the 480 to me. I will get it on paper and figure out the sights soon enough. Guys...Mark has the sweetest mannlicher Winchester 88 in .358. That was probably my fav rifle there. It's beautiful.

Ellis it was great to connect with you! Hey, the golf ball cannon was a good way to start the show.

Ken Elliott...loved our visits. Thanks for putting that 500WE in my hands and letting it talk to me. It's going to be happy in TX.

I'm going to miss some names but there were so many great guys there...Hoot, John Purcell, BJ, Billy...and many more.

I loved it guys. Now I just need to clean those guns, reload the ammo, and look for the next time to meet.