What a great site. Without a doubt the most collegial firearms forum I have seen.

I have been reading the posts on this forum for a few weeks now, and just registered last week.

Since I now feel secure in the audience, I must come out of the double closet. I a retired US Army officer, and have alwsys been a high power junkie. While I have been shooting since I was 5 and hunting since I was 8, the Army validated my deep down high power tendencies.

I shoot .50 BMG, one semi and one very fine AI bolt. I hunt with either of two 416 Rigbys (Mauser 98 or Dakota African takedown with extra barrel in 338 lapua), hunt hogs with either a Marlin Guide 45-70 or a Benelli rifled slugger, Eastern deer with the Guide gun, Texas deer with a 300 Win Mag, Elk with a Sako 375 H&H or 338 Lapua bown bear with the Rigby or 416 Weatherby Mag Pro Hunter, blackies with, well you get the drift.

Despite my attempts to stand at rest, I have have had a constant and ever growing yearning for an express double.

To me, at almost 50 years of age, it is very similiar to the experience I went through between the ages of 13 and 14, when thoughts about the opposite sex were reversed.

I imagined holding things in my hand that I did not have, and surely would not know what to do with. I imagined the differences, not fully comprehending how indoor and outdoor plumbing actually did fit together - all I knew is that new outdoor plumbing had a tendency to run without the use of a valve. I wanted that which I knew little, for reasons not conjured up by a rational mind but produced by an extreme change in the universe that mthe rational mind take a back seat to the ever alert below the belt compass.

I have longed for doubles in magazine pictures for a long, long time. I did read the articles, but the pages on doubles were well worn. Then it happened.

Even having studied every curve, every opening point, every crevice of a double in magazines, I was unprepared for what happened next.

It was at the Dallas Safari Club annual expo a few years back, and lighting struck me when I saw one in the flesh. There she was, in 3D. As gawked and slightly drooled, the double pimp put her in my hands. It was an experience that was better than imagined.

I rushed to other booths selling doubles, and I was given the opportunity to fondle to my hearts content. Mind you, I was not permitted to spread her breach to reveal her open and waiting bore, but I felt the immediate need to have a smoke.

I have the double bug. Bad. To hold and cares such a fine pair in your hands, to pull her tight against your body, and to, finally, breach the breach and insert at least 6 inches worth of pure power (two three plus inch cartridges), to release at my command, is...whew!

If she kicks hard, she is in love with me. If she does not, she is seeing other shooters.

Yes, I am taking the dive. I am 6'1", and 250 pounds (I have no idea how many stones it takes to fill that large void). In good, not great shape. 15" length of pull, and someone not bothered by reciol on a hunt. I was a middle linebacker in college (American football for God's sake!) and wrestled in the heavyweight class (anything above 190 per NCAA).

I am looking at two beautiful options. One in 500 NE and one in 577 NE. I did fear the larger cup size until I learned that little Elmer Keith called that fine pair a pussycat. Elmer is one of my heroes. If he can bed down with a D cup, than I can too.

I am taking the dive. I know that most of you have some serious steel mistresses, andwould appreciate your input. Do I go for the major 577 cleavage, or will I live longer with a 500 C cup that won't smother me in my sleep.

Thanks for allowing a self made conservative who is also a writer into your abode.

Jim, AKA Grizzly.

Cigarette time.