I called Parker O. Ackley a few times back when I was building a .257 Roberts' IMP - 1976/7. I already had the .458 2" at that time and wanted a gun for coyotes and deer. Of course, I'd had & absorbed his books since 1973 or 74.

He was a nice man and seemed more than willing to take the time to talk to a young man who was interested in the marvelous world of wildcats.

He considered the .257AckIMP and the 7x57AckIMP to be the very best of the improved rounds. He also liked the '06case blown out and necked to +30 rounds, up to .375, giving ballistics way out of proportion to it's case capacity when a shorter neck was used, ie; Brown Whelen style, (or 9.3x62 length).

We only spoke a few times, however I do have some of our written correspondence, filed away with my Elmer Keith letters. I treasure both.

Elmer was the reason I bought my first M29 4" and packed it whilst wearing "the uniform". Funny how these sort of things can have a trickle-down effect. Elmer was instrumental in my buying that handgun, and I talked a friend, also a "member" into buying that same handgun for his Northern duty. When he jammed it into a bank robber's face (still in the getaway car), the guy exclaimed "THAT'S the BIGGEST .38 I've EVER SEEN" - the would-be robber had a bowel 'accident'.