In the photo above, GOLD RUSH cast member Jack Hoffman stops by the Leatherwood/Hi-Lux Optics booth to take a look at a Model 1903 A3 that has been set up for Vintage Sniper Rifle competition - and to talk about the need for stringent wolf control. He loved the Hi-Lux Optics addition of the Malcolm 8x USMC Sniper model to the Wm. Malcolm line of vintage riflescopes. When he picked up the rifle, his comment was... "Now here's a real rifle!"

Jack is from Oregon, and an ardent elk hunter. Like many hunters in that state, he now fears that wolves moving in from Idaho will deal elk and other big game populations a devastating blow. He truly likes the idea of owning a rig like he's holding here, with honest 500 to 600 yard effectiveness. When he commented that he'd truly love to own a rifle and scope combination such as this, GOLD RUSH cast members Jim Thurber and Dave Turin jokingly told him that he couldn't afford it. I asked, "Have you found enough gold to buy one?" Then quickly blurted out, "Don't tell me...don't tell me...I've got several more episodes to watch this season!" It's great to see regular folks like these three making it with a great reality television series. My guess is, in the not so distant future, Jack Hoffman will be shooting a Springfield 03A3...topped with an 8x Wm. Malcolm USMC Sniper model scope aboard. I truly enjoyed spending 20 or so minutes talking gold and guns with him and his fellow cast members.