The shooting and hunting world has lost a true pioneer. John Linebaugh passed away, surrounded by his family in his home on March 19, 2023.
It is impossible to overstate Mr. Linebaugh’s effect on pistol hunting around the world. This man almost single-handedly invented “big bore” handgun hunting and certainly is responsible for the re-birth of revolver hunting in America, and throughout the world.
Without doubt, Mr. Linebaugh was a scientist, in the truest sense of the word. He looked at problems, discarded old “wisdom” that didn’t make sense, and experimented carefully. This is the man who didn’t trust a century of “facts” about the .45 Colt, and proved that the right gun, and the right sized cylinder bore could turn that old warhorse cartridge into a powerful hunting handgun cartridge capable of far more than anyone with an old Model P had ever dreamed.
Almost four decades ago he created the first really successful .50 caliber modern revolver hunting round, the .500 Linebaugh. A couple of years later he produced the .475 Linebaugh. In his custom Ruger Blackhawk frames, these midweight guns have been used to take every animal on earth, including African dangerous game like the Cape Buffalo and elephant.
Mr. Linebaugh didn’t just produce cartridges. His attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality turned out some of the most beautiful and practical sixguns around today.
Beyond his technical and artistic ability, he was also just a nice guy. It’s hard to remember when I first called him, but it had to be the better part of 20 years ago. He picked up the phone himself and was kind enough to answer any question I had of him.
I still remember him saying “the .44 Magnum just didn’t have enough horsepower” for him. I sent him a Ruger in .44 Magnum and he sent back a .45 Colt with a Bisley Grip. I have no idea how many deer and pigs have been taken with that .45 Colt revolver.
I’m sure I annoyed him plenty of times with my calls and emails over the years, but if I did, I couldn’t tell. He always answered the phone himself, and back when I really didn’t know anything about how guns really work, or what it really took to work on guns, he was patient and friendly.
Mr. Linebaugh passed away the same day I took a one-ton Eland bull with a revolver chambered in .460 S&W Magnum in South Africa. That cartridge almost certainly wouldn’t exist without Mr. Linebaugh’s inspiration. Sadly, I never took one of Mr. Linebaugh’s revolvers hunting in Africa. I should have…he would have loved the pictures and stories. I guess I always thought I’d have more time. Ain’t that the way it is?
With John Linebaugh’s passing, the world is diminished. He will be missed.
A public visitation will be held at Ballard Funeral Home in Cody, Wyoming on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 4-6 p.m., with a private family visitation from 6-7 p.m.