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.

I was on the site yesterday! 150 year Anniversary of the Battle of Adobe Walls.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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

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.

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.

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......

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

Excellent presentation BBB! Thank you!

Man I love these. Wish they were longer.

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.

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

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!

thank you

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Thanks Bob! Always interesting.

Another great video, excellent work Bob.

really like stories of the old 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

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

Loved it.

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

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.

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

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.

Good stuff

Sharps Rifles made the West safe for Winchester!

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.

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

Love old west history, thank you very much.

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

Thank you Bob.

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

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.

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

Very interesting.

Love the history and your presentation. Keep em coming!

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

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

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

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

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

Good story Bob Let’s hear more

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!

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

Love your videos Bob keep them coming

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

Thank you for a very interesting piece of Texas history.

Very well done, and yes bring on more of them

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

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

Great video. Thanks Bob. Love these stories.

Thanks for a great story!

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

Wow! That was pretty gripping. I haven't been able to find much on the 'Adobe Walls' incident, ( on KZfaq, anyway), so I was pleasantly surprised to come across this fine video. BTW, I'm not sure whether you were aware that a staged replica of the ruins of the Adobe Walls dwelling was depicted in the television series, 'Lonesome Dove'. Thanks so much for this, Mr. Bell...Mr. Terry. Still among one of my favorite channels :)

Awesome 👍👍

Great to see you. Love the live streams!

Another fantastic video!

I love these stories..thank you.

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.

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

Awesome video !!! Love you BoB

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

I love these stories

That was great. Thank you.

Love these videos

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!

great video, I love hearing you talking about the west

Excellent video! I enjoy the story telling.

What a great storyteller!

My father (God bless him) was 15 end of WW2 receny liberated Belgium. When he immigrated to Canada the cowboy spirit was strong. To him owning a Winchester repeating rifle was the ultimate thing. Hence he purchased a M94 carbine 30-30 circa 1956. Flash to 22 November 2005. I am deer hunting with my fathers carbine in a field of winter wheat northern Alberta. I had it sighted in high, mounted a Williams FP receiver sight & a smaller front blade sight also from Williams Co. I seen a whitetail buck at 260 yards. Too much wheat for prone or seated shot. No wind I could feel on my face so I took the shot offhand. I knew if I held his white throat patch my 150 grain Silvertip would land in his boiler room. And it did the job forthwith.

I love this stuff ! Keep it up !

Very entertaining. Keep them coming please.

Excellent video!!

Thank you! You filled in some blanks.

love this kind of history.

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

Excellent story and story teller, thank you.

That almost qualifies as mini-artillery!

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

I went to the museum on base of Yuma proving grounds several years ago. I stopped at the office on the way out to thank the folks, explaing I was in the area for AZ state cowboy match The director took me to a back room vault and showed the rifle used in the 1992 recreation of the shot and heblet me hold it! They hoped to include it in an exhibit some day explaining the science and instruments used in the test.

I worked with people who were there at Yuma and also said it was possible. A Paper was presented a a Ballistics Conference.

Just came across your channel love your videos brother keep up the good work 👏

Great story Bob…Thanks!

Hi Bob, I stumbled onto your page tonight, listening to the story of Wyatt Earp killing Curley Bill. After it was over, I found this video. Im so excited to find your channel. I have subscribed and clicked the bell. Im looking forward to more of your content! Thanks for the stories!