Quite some time ago, I was watching Ripley's "Believe it or not" program and it featured a man who had retired from competitive shooting, and was a world Champion long range shot with an original Sharps rifle. I believe it was a 45-70. It was a black powder cartridge, and the target was I think a square 20 inch steel plate, with a ten inch white circle painted on it. There was a camera off to the side aimed at the target, so you could watch the bullet impacts. The distance was a mile and a half away. He was using iron sights, no scope. He had a Vernier tang sight. He asked for a test shot, which they granted him. He fired, laid the gun down on a blanket , then leaned over to the spotting scope, and watched the bullet impact the target. Tat first test shot, hit inside the white ten inch circle at about the 8 o-clock area.! He then said , he thought he had the data he needed. He then fired I think three more shots, and all were in the center, of the white circle!!!!! That's a MILE AND A HALF! With iron sights! I couldn't even see the target, let alone hit the white ten inch circle!!! So yes that shot at Adobe Wells is more than quite feasible. You have to remember the buffalo hunters knew their rifles, and they made incredibly long shots. on a routine basis in their daily business of buffalo hunting.

Always great to hear another perspective on this story. Myself, I was born and grew up in a small town in the Texas Panhandle, just a short drive from the location. My first visit to Adobe Walls, I do not even remember, as I was still a newborn in swaddling clothes. Although my life has taken me to other places, and I now live in Tennessee, I have visited the location several times. I have also visited the Buffalo Wallow site, where Billy Dixon earned his Medal of Honor. Another incredible story. I have a first edition copy of Billy Dixon's autobiography from 1914 as dictated to his wife Olive, that I treasure as the finest relic. My library includes a modern paperback edition of that book, as well as several others devoted to the buffalo hunters. The Adobe Walls site dig sponsored by West Texas State University is documented in detail in one of the books. Many of the relics in that book can be found on display at the WTSU museum in Canyon, Texas. I've also made a number of visits to that institution. I took a journey to the University of Kansas a few years ago (my alma mater btw), where I examined an original tintype of Billy Dixon taken at Fort Elliott around the time he got involved in the Buffalo Wallow incident. Had to use the white gloves to handle it, as it was precious real history. I had the library staff scan it to high resolution TIFF, and some day I hope to get that file digitally processed for scratches. I got the idea from one of the buffalo hunter books, that had a reproduction of that photograph. Finally, I purchased a replica firing 1874 Sharps in 50-90 about a decade ago, and learned the art of making the black powder cartridges for that beast. The recoil is brutal, and if memory serves, in the autobiography, Billy's first shot from that borrowed gun knocked him down to the ground. The fellow hunters first thought he had been shot, but it was just the recoil. I've now outlived Billy in age, by three years. I hope someday to see a movie about his life and times, as it would make for a even greater story than Wyatt Earp's I believe.

@JW...-oj5iw

Жыл бұрын

Nice that you have taken up the art and sport of custom cartridge loading. Personally, I have two falling block rifles in.45-70 and .458 Win. Mag. Both are Rugers. Factory 510gr ammo in the #1 is most definitely brutal. 300gr loads are pleasant, especially when shooting in quantity. Depending on bullet selection, I have some that are very mild, and I stoke some up to lightning bolt velocities. My repeater is a Japanese built Winchester 1886. It's a .45-70 also. Its weight helps dampen recoil that would be rough if fired in the #3.

Great video! It brought back memories of a young sailor attending US Army Signal School at Ft Gordon, GA. The Army invited the local Navy Detachment to participate in M16 Qualifications on a Saturday (all day). Only 3 of us swabbies thought it worth doing. The morning was all classroom, learning about the weapon and what was expected at the firing range. That afternoon we were bussed to the range and went to the area to set the windage and adjust the sights. I was firing high right until the adjustment and wow the magic happened. Out on the range I was able to hit 39 out of 40 targets earning the Marksman EXPERT Ribbon. The Range control NCO over my position said "I'm glad you're on our side, you qualified Expert, 39 out of 40 target hits at various distances. Having never owned a gun or rifle and only a little bit of practice shooting with friends growing up in Colorado, I mainly attribute my shooting success to having sat as a child, with my Army SFC NCO Instructor Father, through many an episode of COMBAT, the tv show, where he would give expert commentary on the various scenes. The value of the B.A.R. (Browing Automatic Rifle- "One of the finest weapons ever made") keeping your head down, being alert and how to properly fire a weapon by "squeezing the trigger" ala Sgt York style! Later a former marine coworker taught me the USMC acronym B*R*A*S*S...BREATH RELAX SQUEEZE SHOOT. He was impressed at the range with my grouping of target hits. He encouraged me to purchase my own firearm. Interestingly both my daughters displayed prowess in pistol shooting as teenagers with friends in the Alaska bush. Could it be in the DNA? Again thanks for the history lesson on Billy Dixon and the 2nd Battle of Adobe Walls, TX. - ET1, USN 12 years...part of Reagan's Cold War Warriors

Hi Bob Bell, This was fantastic, I love hearing you retell this story! I still remember watching it on Gunslingers. It is amazing. The other thing I learned is that Billy Dixon went on to be a preacher. I thought that was rather cool & interestering.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Did not know that. Thanks Barbara!

@barbarazimet7313

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobbell7213 My pleasure! Bob

Thank you Bob for another very informative page out of the American west. I grew up hearing about Adobe Walls and Billy Dixon's amazing long shot. My grandfather who was born in that part of Texas in 1880 knew the story and many others from his father who was a US Deputy Marshall in Western Texas.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome James.

@scottbatey3130

2 жыл бұрын

There you have it! VALIDATION!!!

Thank you Mr. Bell for a fascinating story of an extraordinary young sharp shooter. To take down a Comanche, Kiowa or Southern Cheyanne Indian at nearly a miles distance is really one, literally, for the history books.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

Thank you this was great . I love and respect both the Comanches and The Rangers .Been reading True West since a youngster .

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

You have such a high I.Q. Barry.

Thanks for another great video, Bob! My Dad told me a story that he once read about a parade that took place many years later, after the Comanches had surrendered (what was left of them) and Billy Dixon was placed next to Quanah Parker. Billy supposedly asked him if he remembered the shot that day at Adobe Walls and he said yes. He said something like “I made that shot” to which the old stoic Indian just replied “Good shot, Billy.”

Bob, this channel should have at least 100 thousand+ subscribers! I've loved your magazine for decades and regularly watch your videos here. Cheers!

Excellent presentation BBB! Thank you!

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Appreciate that E.H.

BBB.....Thank you for another great story....you have to have a CAMPFIRE DAY and we all gather-round and listen to all these great stories like in the campfire seen in Blazing Saddles....but without the Beans.... "keep-up the giddy-up" my friend.....The Fabulous Fotos's......

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Ha. I am voting for the beans and the blazing saddles. Thanks Andy.

Thanks, Bob, love these stories. I have been collecting True West since the '50s (lost most in a flood) and I still collect all I can find. Keep up the good work.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry about the flood Jan, but thanks.

Man I love these. Wish they were longer.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

So does our publisher.

Just so you'll know, the US Army tested the 45-70 at the Sandy Hook range for volley fire, and shot the 405 grain bullet out to 2500 yards, and the 500 grain bullet to 3200 yards, so the 50-90 Sharps, which had both a heavier for caliber and higher velocity could easily make the Billy Dixon shot. Billy made some similar but shorter shots at Buffalo Wallow against Parker's Commanchees later on, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. By the way, I've been to Adobe Walls three times, now. It was a really incredible shot.

Boze,I swear that there is as much pleasure for me in this manifestation of TRUE WEST as there was back in the old days of Joe 'Hosstail Small's TRUE WEST magazine and I salute you for that.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Well, THAT is a high compliment Dusty. Thank you!

@dustypendleton6694

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobbell7213 You are welcome.

thank you

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome Jody.

What a fascinating history! I have read about that incident in several old time western writers including Louis L’Amour. What a fascinating experience to hear the truth. Keep up with the stories because you are such a talented storyteller!

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Diane

I like your presentation. No hyperbole or histrionics. You just tell a good story.

I enjoyed your video. I was associated with a professional shooting incident reconstruction firm that is world famous in the forensic science field in Scottsdale Arizona, called forensic science services Inc. Many years ago using a 50-90 sharps rifle, they actually went to the Adobe walls site and did a test with a 5090 sharps replica with various scientific instruments, and hand loaded black powder loads and recreated the incident. This was done very scientifically by Lucian Haag owner of forensic science services Inc. If you contact him, he can give you the details and the results. I'm sure he would be glad to meet you and discuss it. He and I attended numerous workshops at the Yuma proving ground and used their Doppler radar to do long range tests with various types of firearms. So there have been serious scientific recreations of Dixon's mile shot and this was one of the best.

@valknutmechanicaltechnical8166

Жыл бұрын

Hello Idan this is John Cochran.

@dogstarstudios718

Жыл бұрын

I have a copy of an article of Billy Dixon's long shot & it went into detail about those forensic tests.

I have heard of the Billy Dixion shot before, but never knew the actual yardage. Very impressive! I have shot long distance before with the 45-70, but that was at one thousand yards at Connaught range just outside of Ottawa, Canada. The bulls were four feet in diameter, and the bullet drop was about forty-eight feet. So the bullet dropped at fifteen hundred and thirty-seven yards would be impressive. Those were long shots with only a tang sight, not much by today's standard considering they are making hits out to a mile and a half, but with optics and faster bullets. Still very impressive. You can only imagine the thoughts of the aboriginals when a fellow warrior could be taken off his horse with a magical bullet, from nowhere.

Good job, great presentation about an actual event involving a Sharps rifle. When I was a kid in Montana in the 1960s, I saw my Dad kill a cow elk a quarter of a mile away with a 30-06, 180grain round-nose bullet, and I thought that was just one hell of a shot, which really helps put into perspective -- for me -- just how awesome Billie Dixon's shot was.

Thanks Bob that was awesome I never knew that. And I never knew the Sharps rifle can shoot 2 miles. I knew that it could go a long ways but not that far. And for that guy to do that that was still an amazing shot.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I agree.

This is the most detailed version of this incident that I’ve heard! You are a very good story teller!

Thanks again Mr. Bell for a great story and for keeping history alive. I had not heard this legend before and will put this in my bag of stories for around the campfire with the grandkids. Once again, you bring the legends to life with your amazing story telling humor that blends fact with fiction. Great job and keep 'em coming!

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Rick.

@denisdegamon8224

2 жыл бұрын

It was a fact not just a myth or legend. Billy Dixon was in several famous fighs (buffalo Wallow fight) also a Congressional Medal of Honor recepient.

One of the greatest shots on record took place on 17 April 1874 during the Battle of Lodge Grass Creek, Montana when John (Jack) Bean (1844-1923) using a Sharps rifle, calibre .44/90 shot and killed a Sioux warrior at the estimated range not less than1,700 yards. "A shot heard round the world." Eat that Billy Dixon.

Awesome depiction of 'the long shot'. I had read about Billy Dixon's fate. Thank you Bob. Always enjoy your stories! Keep them coming!

Loved it.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Lewis. Thanks amigo.

Thanks Bob I always enjoy your presentations and skills of telling history.

Thank you Bob. I love western history. Keep it up Sir.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome Terry.

I am in love with your zest for truth of OUR OLD W E S T !!!!!

Good stuff

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom!

You know it's going to be an interesting story when Bob Boze Bell is the storyteller. I heard many variations of this story. The most common variation was the shot was a mile.Modern measurements clock it about 660 feet short of a mile......a hell of a shot! Thanks, Bob.

Thanks Bob! Always interesting.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom.

We all love a good story, well told, especially a true one. Thank you, sir. BTW, my uncle was at the first battle there. Uncle Kit.

I'm an Aussie and I love your work Bob. God bless you mate.

really enjoyed this video.. a legend proved .. " the gun that shoots today and kills tomorrow " thanks

Another great video, excellent work Bob.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks David.

@davidroberts5577

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobbell7213 You are most welcome!

@davidroberts5577

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobbell7213 Thank you Bob, I very much appreciate your passion and all you share.

Love old west history, thank you very much.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

And I love boxing, so there!

Just for reference a kilometer is 1108 yards. This shot was edging close to a kilometer and a half. Now there are lots of people who can and do hit man sized targets at 1,000 yards both with telescopic sights and even iron sights (for those with exceptional eyesight like Henry Chan of 9 Hole). The old pre-World War I infantry rifles were often test fired at 1,000 meters or yards. A round like the .45-90, a black powder cartridge that was Army issue from the late 1870's through the 1890's could kill at two miles, though at that range it was intended to be aimed at masses of troops in the open (it can penetrate a significant amount of solid oak at that range), not individual targets (remember 19th Century tactics) with volley fire. It does kick like a mule in recoil. My earliest relative in America, my great granduncle, served in the US infantry during this period and was familiar with and proficient in this rifle. The Boers did this extended volley shooting in their wars with the English invaders. Some trained snipers with modern weapons, bullets, cartridges and powders can hit killing size targets at the distance Dixon did on ranges, as many You Tube videos will attest to. There are a handful who can do the same using replica hand loaded black powder cartridge types on modern replica weapons. But to do so on a battlefield in uncontrolled conditions, with your enemy actually present, not to mention at a moving target on a horse, is absolutely astounding. Also it was summer with heat currents on open ground with cross winds. He had only iron sites without modern optics. That puts Dixon up there on the throne with White Death and White Feather in the sniper realm. If memory serves, and I may easily be wrong, I believe an American sniper killed an enemy combatant at that or a greater distance in either Afghanistan or Iraq in the last fifteen or so years. I'm sure if any real knowledgeable folks, unlike me, about long range shooting or American snipers read this they can correct me. Please do.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Brian, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt because you sound like you know what the. hell you are talking about. Thanks.

Back in the day I wrote a term paper on this topic for my military history class. Your account matches pretty well what my research indicated. Thanks for the memory.

Love the history and your presentation. Keep em coming!

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

You got that wish! ha.

Great video Bob. I look forward to more of your fine historical videos in the future.

He oído esta historia muchas veces y nunca me canso de oírla. Me encanta. Muchas gracias Mr. Bell.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Gracias amigo!

-I love reading primary sources of the old west, it was clearly a very violent place, on all sides.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed.

Thank you for a very interesting piece of Texas history.

Thank you Bob

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome Tammy!

I have heard about this shot. From a cowboy that was in his late 90's in 1961. My dad drove me to Adobe Walls as we lived in Amarillo. When I realized how far it was I didn't believe it. But would see accounts of in tv and movies. So just maybe . It really did happen. Some time ago I was at Palo Duro Canyon were they had an exhibit it was great . To see cases and bullets from the fight

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, David. Not just "maybe," it's the real deal, Lucille.

Thank you Bob. I enjoy your stories! Helps the day go faster at work.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome.

Very interesting.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rhart hart!

Good story Bob Let’s hear more

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Okay, Bob. Whatever you say.

Very well done, and yes bring on more of them

Bob, great as usual. The only thing that I was missing was the camp fire! Keep up the good work

Thank you Bob.

Great video. Thanks Bob. Love these stories.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mr. Lion.

Very well done! Keep the good old West stories coming!😎

Thanks Bob for your telling and insight on these stories I always enjoy them.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris.

thank you for helping me learn something new and exciting! Have a great day!

I am a fan of, True West and your excellent story telling...thank you!

Thank you sir for posting this fabulous piece of history, great narration and background....

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Marc, you made my day. thanks,

Sharps Rifles made the West safe for Winchester!

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Ha. Funny.

@Williamgarity

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobbell7213 I have a Shilo Sharps 45-120.

@richardmoorer2668

2 жыл бұрын

@@Williamgarity Shiloh Sharps

@Williamgarity

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardmoorer2668 from Big Timber, Montana.

I love these stories..thank you.

I love your stories. Thank you for your hard work and please keep them coming!!

Another great video. I would love to see some videos on Wild Bill/Cody/Bat’s time served in the scouts in their younger days. I know you’ve touched on them but I find it really fascinating but my own research hasn’t even come close to finding some of the amazing tales I’ve heard from you!

Thank you for your hard work and research, enjoyed very much !

Another fantastic video!

Great to see you. Love the live streams!

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Me too!

really like stories of the old west.

Love your videos Bob keep them coming

great video, I love hearing you talking about the west

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Good because I sure enjoy talking about the West!

I think this shot made it into 20+ Louis L’amour books lol. But i don’t blame him, it’s a great story. Keep up these videos Mr Bell- I love hearing them

Wow! What a story!!! I often listen to ballads by "Marty Robins" quite the stories.

Excellent video! I enjoy the story telling.

Awesome video !!! Love you BoB

Awesome 👍👍

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris.

Really enjoyed thanks for the info. Take care and God bless.

What a great storyteller!

Several years ago I visited the Adobe Walls site and among our group was a descendent of one of the Indians present when the shot was made. We had a long and informative conversation about the shot. I had also spoken earlier with Billy Dixon's daughter. If you are familiar with the Single Action Shooting Society, my alias is Billy Dixon, SASS Life, Regulator 196

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Thomas.

Excellent video!!

Very entertaining. Keep them coming please.

Nicely done! In the movie Lonesome Dove there was a scene at alleged Adobe Walls after escaping Comanche & Kiowa raiders; another replicating a similar type shot. I have and like your “Billy the Kid, the Last Word” book - so well done, innovative and interesting. Sort of a coffee table book for me. Thanks for all you do!

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for buying my book!

@davekuper3996

2 жыл бұрын

You’re a great Author and Artist! I enjoy your work immensely. Thank You for all your hard work, and keep it up!

@jakeroberts7435

2 жыл бұрын

That's when Gus rescued Lori Darlin' from Blue Ducks gang, he and Lori took refuge at the old fort. Where l lived on the Canadian River looked like where he did the Rescue. I lived on the Dixon Creek Branch of the 6666 Ranch out of Borger back in the 70s and early 80s. You can see a long way on the plains

@davekuper3996

2 жыл бұрын

@@jakeroberts7435 you’re a lucky guy to have lived soaking in the History of Texas and the American West.

@jakeroberts7435

2 жыл бұрын

@@davekuper3996 I love western history, and Lonesome Dove to me was one of the best.

Love these videos

Thank you! You filled in some blanks.

That was great. Thank you.

Yeahhhh. My cousins are the Ishatai. glad to see this video. Thank you Ura! i also have other relatives that were there.

Thanks for a great story!

Excellent story and story teller, thank you.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave!

You're a really good story teller Bob and you certainly do your homework thankyou.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I do my homework. Glad you enjoyed it.

I love this stuff ! Keep it up !

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jack.

I knew this story, but never knew Bat Masterson was there. Thanks, and Happy Trails!

love this kind of history.

Great story Bob…Thanks!

That almost qualifies as mini-artillery!

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, agreed!

As a young apprentist I bought and read gun magazines '65 - '68 I read that story in one of those years. Those magazines then were Guns, Guns and Ammo, Gun World, Shooting Times. Those were the main ones that showed up in New Zealand about a month late. No, I have never lost my fascination for shooting targets to this day.

Thank you Sir I always like your True West very interesting 👍

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Robert.

Empire of the Summer Moon, S C Gynne, and that brilliant shot is well told also. Riveting read. It was a remarkable shot for sure, and legend also has it, the Indian was a Chief.

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

yes, great book. Thanks for being a reader Simon.

Thank you.

I love these stories

Great story and I subscribed. Just found you recently. I was in the army at Ft Carson and went to basic at Ft Still Ok and fell in love with the west. I'm in Indiana now but will probably retire to New Mexico or Arizona near the 4 corners area. ♥️

Outstanding Information. Thanks

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

Wendy, I appreciate that.

Long time subscriber and always appreciate your videos, keep them coming, thanks BBB 🐾🐾

@bobbell7213

2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate you being out there Jeff!