Handgunhunt

HHI Restart?

Posted By: RH Custom Guns

HHI Restart? - 04/05/2021 6:29 PM

Hello all,

I've been chatting with J.D. Jones and floated the idea of me restarting Handgun Hunters International. He said he would have no problem with me getting the organization going again, so I am currently in fact finding mode. I'm not saying this is definitely going to happen, just that I am exploring it and would like to at least get some handgun hunting community in the works.

I'm looking for input from former as well as perspective members on a few topics. From the past members:

What was the best thing about HHI or what do you miss the most?
What value did HHI provide to you?
How much of your membership was just to get The Sixgunner?

For prospective members:

What have you heard about HHI?
If you knew about HHI before J.D. shut it down, why didn't you join?

I may have more specific questions based on how y'all answer, but that's good for starters. If you want to give me a bunch of details and feel like a longer communication about HHI, email me at ryan@hangunhuntersupply.com

Also, as a reminder, I am already digitizing and giving away the back issues of The Sixgunner. You can sign up for free at handgunhuntersupply.com/thesixgunner


Thank you all!
Posted By: Franchise

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/05/2021 11:27 PM

Yes Yes Yes...please revamp HHI...whatever the membership dues are I'm INTERESTED! I loved The Sixgunner!!! I WAS HHI #7018
Posted By: wyote

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/06/2021 2:18 PM

I'd like to see it back up and running.

I was a member and really enjoyed all the different members stories
Posted By: Teep

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/06/2021 2:58 PM

I had never heard of HHI until you started making them available for download. I've enjoyed reading each one and learned a lot from them. I would be very interested and will join. Are you considering this as an internet publication or printed? I would think it would be easier to get advertisers for an internet publication in this day and age also.
Posted By: Pa. Mike

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/06/2021 11:24 PM

I was a member for maybe 15 or so years. Looked forward to each issue and learned a lot from the articles posted. I think a lack of submitted articles helped to kill it off. I submitted maybe three but I suppose I could have done better. It was harder to send things in back then compared to nowadays.
Posted By: wvhitman

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/07/2021 12:14 AM

I think it's a good thing. I spent 30 years of my life writing stories and keeping records for it. It was an excellent learning tool and source of information for all the members. I was honored when JD put one of my stories in the last issue.
We owe him so much. Continuing HHI & the Sixgunner would be a great tribute to him.
HHI #48
Posted By: Reloder28

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/07/2021 1:58 AM

I was just reading “the latest issue” today.

I always really appreciated the first hand knowledge of good loads from various members. Read today about 45 Colt loads running a blistering 1400+ fps.

Always enjoyed WVHitman’s XP exploits. I revisit those stories semi-regularly as a fellow XP fan.

Loved J.D.’s Editor’s Notes & disclaimers. Thoroughly appreciated everyones total engagement in the sport & the Sixgunner.

Count me in on a reload of HHI.
Posted By: jcp161

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/07/2021 11:47 AM

I was a member at the tail end of things. I'd join again if it came back and would like to see it in a digital format.

I enjoy reading the posts here of successful hunts and various experiments. I think it would provide the members here, and elsewhere, a forum to expand on their stories without taking away from the site.

John
Posted By: gunslingerdad

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/07/2021 4:40 PM

I heard of it but was living paycheck to paycheck with more month than money. i am interested on a restart.
Posted By: PythonHunter

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/08/2021 1:23 AM

 Originally Posted By: jcp161
I was a member at the tail end of things. I'd join again if it came back and would like to see it in a digital format.

I enjoy reading the posts here of successful hunts and various experiments. I think it would provide the members here, and elsewhere, a forum to expand on their stories without taking away from the site.

John



This is me too. I’m in!
Posted By: 45MAN

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/08/2021 11:45 AM

IT WAS A SAD DAY FOR ME WHEN J.D. ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD BE THE LAST ISSUE. THE SIXGUNNER WAS A GREAT PLACE TO SUBMIT HUNTING STORIES/READ ABOUT OTHER'S HUNTS. IT WAS ALSO A GOOD SOURCE FOR HUNTING HANDGUN INFO. WITHOUT J.D.'s FRONT PAGE COLUMN IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME, BUT I AM IN.
Posted By: RH Custom Guns

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/08/2021 3:10 PM

Thanks for the input - keep it coming!

Yes, if it gets started again, The Sixgunner will be in digital format.

Since I missed being a member myself, can anyone tell me what the benefits of belonging to HHI were besides The Sixgunner and the HHI hunts?
Posted By: Seminole Wind

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/08/2021 6:52 PM

The HHI big buck contests were a lot of fun. Members could enter their best bucks in the contest with other handgun hunters. It separated us from rifle hunters and made our trophies more "special".
Posted By: Sawfish

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/08/2021 6:55 PM

I was a member and will be again.
Posted By: wvhitman

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/09/2021 12:02 AM

JD had the Kellys at Mag-Na-Port make custom guns with HHI sns. I had all the #3s( unfired) and all but one (.375 JDJ Contender octagon) burned in my house fire in 2002. I don't collects guns any more and I shoot the .375 a bunch.
Posted By: jamesfromjersey

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/09/2021 2:54 PM

 Originally Posted By: wyote
I'd like to see it back up and running.

I was a member and really enjoyed all the different members stories
Posted By: Vance in AK.

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/09/2021 7:12 PM

Biggest draw for me was "The Sixgunner". Wasn't much media re handgun hunting available then.
I would be up for it.
Posted By: Ernie

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/10/2021 7:54 PM

I think most here would like it.
I am not sure it would be feasible for your time and money though.
There is so much instant information available now...Just stating a known truth here.
If this is going to be an endeavor that is out of passion for the sport with no concern of cost or time-By all means go for it!
Posted By: billa

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/11/2021 1:01 PM

I would love to see a restart. I was charter member #992 - since 1979. The Sixgunner magazine writers defined handgun hunting for my generation. I wrote several articles over the years as did many others on this site. I know I am “old school” but being a member of a recognized organization, paying dues, etc. shows commitment and defines a group to others. I have several HHI patches on my hunting gear that have “triggered” conversation with other hunters and shooters over the years. The HHI big buck contests were great. I won the Whitetail division in 1984 and have a HHI sn Contender as a prized possession. I never attended one but group outings - hunts and shooting matches would likely draw decent numbers. Put me down for a membership.
Posted By: KRal

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/12/2021 1:59 AM

I was a late member, but I’d love to see it up and running again!
Posted By: SacredCrows

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/12/2021 3:34 PM

With forums, social media, and so on with dedicated handgun hunting areas...I can’t see the time and cost working out.
Posted By: rugernut

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/17/2021 9:58 PM

I’ll definitely join up again if you can put it together. When I started handgun hunting with a centerfire in the early 1980’s HHI was THE place for the handgun hunter. I joined back then and still have every issue to this day.

As the other fellows have stated, the only thing to be gained over a great sight like this one would be the dedicated stories written each month. By that I mean it may motivate more members to send in new and past hunting stories and information.
Posted By: Jeffrey G.

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/18/2021 8:18 PM

I was a late member. I posted in the HHI Mailbag under my name Jeffrey Locke and it was about the 44 magnum and the JDJ 310 grain cast bullet. I bought an aluminum cast bullet mold for that bullet. JDJ wrote that the 454 Casull could only match the penetration depth of the 44 magnum loaded correctly for deep penetration of big game. I would join and contribute articles too.
Posted By: HHI6818

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/26/2021 7:26 PM

Absolutely!!!! I stopped by JD’s probably 30 years and came home with a stainless 14 inch Contender barrel chambered in 309 JDJ. JD gave me a SIXGUNNER and low and behold WV Hitman’s yearly deer hunting report was in it. After reading his article I joined the next day!
Posted By: BBwheelgunner

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/26/2021 10:32 PM

I was never a member of HHI because it was a bit before my time, and then I started hearing about it when on here and other places online, then it was no more.

I would get a membership, probably largely to read handgun hunting specific articles and info, unless there is something else the club did I am not totally aware of
Posted By: bearskinner

Re: HHI Restart? - 04/27/2021 2:20 PM

I think that it would be a fairly popular read, as back in the day there was no internet, just the yellow newspaper. There is a much better chance of growth now, with people spreading the word. You would probably get a lot of newbies and folks that have handgun hunted out of circumstance. It would be nice to be able to keep our old HHI numbers, as I have many items with that on it.
It was a great way to meet fellow Handgunners. I have 30 year friends from HHI.
Posted By: heathetyler

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/05/2021 10:44 AM

I'm sort of new to this but I would join
Posted By: Franchise

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/05/2021 6:26 PM

HHI was such a great way for guys and gals who went handgun hunting to share their hunts. We all were able to see of different guns, calibers, bullet designs and configurations, and how those bullets and bullet weights worked on various sized animals. There were group hunts and people actually attended ;). It was a wonderful time to be a handgun hunter.
Posted By: bearskinner

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/05/2021 9:21 PM

It’s still a wonderful time to be a handgun hunter, I still hunt with some of those guys I met thru HHI. Gun folks in general just tend to be a better bunch.
Posted By: KRal

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/06/2021 12:12 AM

 Originally Posted By: bearskinner
It’s still a wonderful time to be a handgun hunter, I still hunt with some of those guys I met thru HHI. Gun folks in general just tend to be a better bunch.


That’s right.
Posted By: jamesfromjersey

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/06/2021 9:50 PM

It may now be a wonderful time for handgun hunters but this was absolute heaven...
Posted By: NRA_Dave

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/07/2021 1:02 AM

I concur James. The SCI Handgun Hunt at the YO was a highlight of my year. That's why every now we head to the YO for our family Christmas hunt. I want the grand kids to experience the fun. Oldest grandson will be 16 this year. It may be time for him to try his hand with a revolver vs a rifle.
Posted By: jamesfromjersey

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/07/2021 6:11 PM

 Originally Posted By: NRA_Dave
I concur James. The SCI Handgun Hunt at the YO was a highlight of my year. That's why every now we head to the YO for our family Christmas hunt. I want the grand kids to experience the fun. Oldest grandson will be 16 this year. It may be time for him to try his hand with a revolver vs a rifle.
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Posted By: Walkingthemup

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/08/2021 7:38 AM

Is there still a SCI Handgun Chapter?
Posted By: jamesfromjersey

Re: HHI Restart? - 05/09/2021 8:14 PM

 Originally Posted By: Walkingthemup
Is there still a SCI Handgun Chapter?

sorry to say but the chapter was discontinued.....
Posted By: Ramjet-SS

Re: HHI Restart? - 06/02/2021 12:35 PM

Yes I really enjoyed HHI and was loyal subscriber I would love to see it back. Reading adventures and the handguns used to take game the loads of what worked and what didn’t was fun interesting reading.

On Line version published 6-12 times per year would be awesome.
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