How did I miss seeing this at the DSC?
Butch

Butch,

I walked around with it a little at the show. I was in the Sporting Classics booth with it. Sure would have enjoyed meeting you there. Of course you know you are welcome to drive East for 1 1/2 hrs for a shop visit.

I'll bet I would enjoy it. I visited with Chad today. He is going to send me some sample damascus
to try.
Will be away from the computer for a little as I am going under the knife tomorrow for back surgery.
Butch

Well, I wish you a speedy and full recovery!!

Alright,

I have the action blued, stock checkered and am going over all the parts one at a time to make sure they are right for final assembly. The damascus is etched deep enough that the high layers are polished, and the deeper etched layers are matt, so the pattern still contrasts even with the blueing.

Were almost there!!

Looking wonderful, truly!!!

Wow

Getting prettier all the time!

Guille

Thank you for the continuing updates. It is like reading an adventure novel that you keep wondering how it will end up. If I get a personal heaven not only would I like a bunch of these gems but I would like to watch you make them.

I think a single shot like this in 22 Hornet would be sweet too.


What is your next double project?

Boom stick,

Thanks, I am glad you have enjoyed watching the build.

I have a few orders for these little guys, and many requests for second barrel sets in .410. I have 5 sets of tubes ont he way from Italy. Should be a lot of fun.

One of these orders is for a 6X70r double. I am really looking forward to that one.

Damn snow knocked out the power to my shop for three days....But I did have power at my home, so I brought her home to tune up the triggers. Take note of the springs. The coil springs I was using were just a touch too wide for the frame opening, and rubbed when removing the trigger group. I replaced them with Belleville washers. They are washers that are cupped. The cool thing about them is the amount of power they have in such a small space. These washers are significantly stronger than the coil springs. Plus, they allow fine tuning of the resistance by stacking them in parallel ( facing the same way). Not to mention, with 36 on each pushrod, there is a lot of redundancy so failure will never be an issue. They look cool too. Only drawback is they are expensive, $1 each.



Here is the trigger group partially inserted into the frame.

Well done Master. Thanks for sharing. Guille

A folding peep sight....bad pictures, but the sight work nice.

...thank you for this exceptional posting...sort of lays to shame hollands' gunmaking dvd, and exposes the myth of the superiority of non-us gunmakers...

This is the greatest thread I have ever seen on the internet...anywhere. And possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life.

Hat's off to you Mr Bradshaw!

quote:

Originally posted by JHunter:
...thank you for this exceptional posting...sort of lays to shame hollands' gunmaking dvd, and exposes the myth of the superiority of non-us gunmakers...

I wouldn't say that. Look at Butch Searcy and a swag of Bolt Action makers
and now this.

I think that maybe "Mexican" Rigby screwed up the perception of US gun makers
more than anything.

That is a masterpiece! The cool factor of that double is through the roof.

Thank you for letting all of us enjoy your work in progress.

I can only agree with the above comments and continue to enjoy your skilled work.

Is it possible to recess the peep sight into the top of the action - like into the thumb lever screw area? An added X factor I guess.

Thanks once again.

This has been marvelous to follow! I'd love to shoot that little fellow!

This is a fantastic piece of art! I've been following this project for the past few months I've been lurking on this board and I continually wait for new updates! I'm very envious!

New to this thread... Not new to Mr. Bradshaws art. I have been fortunate enough to hold this rifle in Bailey's shop. All I can say is the pictures do NOT do it justice. ( it felt like a date with a super model) From the muzzle to the buttplate the "little" details and unique designs can only only be described as the highest of art. I vote Bailey makes this thread into a coffee table book (The Birth of a Rifle)

I mean what else does he have to do...he only works about 90 hrs a week. jeez Bailey come on.

This is the most interesting and exciting thread I've read on the Internet anywhere. It really is like an exceptional novel, you cannot wait to read the next chapter!

Mr. Bradshaw, thank you for sharing your incredible work with us!

Thanks for the kind words everyone. It has certainly been my pleasure to share my work.

I am a couple of days away from boxing her up and sending her off. Last thing to do is finnish the scope rings and do the final mouning of the scope. I designed and made the rings. Quick release by pressing the button on the side of the rear ring and slide backwards about 1/2".

From here, I will blue the rings, lap them for proper scope fit, and mount/sight in the scope.

Thanks again!!

You have my address right
Any plans to do a big bore?

You live in Spain right? :-)

As for your second question, yes, they are starting to grow......

quote:

Originally posted by Bailey Bradshaw:
You live in Spain right? :-)

As for your second question, yes, they are starting to grow......

No, I moved. I'll send you a new PM with my current address

I hope to see many of your completed projects and the process posted here. Please consider writing a book about the guns you have made and make and the process. If you keep notes during the projects it would make writing it easier. Are you going to get a professional photo shoot done of that gun? Please do.
Thanks again!

Looks great!!!

Question(s):

How is the stock fit, when using the scope......do you have to lift your cheek off the stock to see through the scope?

It looks like there is a standing rear sight, plus a peep....does the standing rear sight interfear at all with the peep sight use?


Thanks

MHC,

I have to change the angle of the head to see through the scope, but my cheek is still in contact with the stock. When I throw it up, I don't have to adjust to aquire a sight picture with either the open sights or the scope.

The rear sight is visible through the peep. Same sight picture with or without the peep sight, but it is more in focus with the peep.

These are all features ordered by the rifles caretaker. If it were mine, I wouldn't use the peep sight. Just express sights or the scope. My eye's are still good enough for open sights, and a low power scope give enough field of view for quick shooting for me.

I have but one word for your work Sir. AWESOME!!!

I got to hold this lovely little double last week when Baily came by the shop to get some 4140 for another project. The lines, the balance, and pointability were just amazing. I can't wait untill there is one with my name on it to have and to hold.

Ar members that can need to get one of these and support a quality double gun maker on our side of the pond.

Bailey,

As others have said, thanks so much for sharing this; very, very cool.

Do you have any interest in selling just the peep-sight? I would love to have one of those on my 470...

All the best;
Brett Trimble
btrimble1@sbcglobal.net

It's finished. Been a ton of fun to build this little rifle. I sent it out yesterday to be reviewed by Chuck Hawks.

Before sending it, I double checked the regulation and sighting in of the scope. Final group at 50yds....



We have a range setup in a pasture behind my shop. One of the targets is a 18"tall steel pig siloet. The pasture fence to the pig is 220 yds. Standing, off hand, one shot from each barrel rang the steel. I like to use this as a hunting simulation as it looks and feels more real than a paper target. The hornet doesn't have a lot left at that range, but you can see the imapact marks.





Shots were about 8" apart. I wasn't shooting for a group, just mounted, and let em fly. I am pretty happy with it's accuracy.

Here's a few final pics.

words escape me! just plain georgious thanks for sharing. best regards bob

Very nice, Bailey.

What bullet weight did you regulate for? Do the scope and the irons both regulate? Or, do you have to re-regulate when you mount the scope?

Regards, Tim

That's amazing that you can create that from from just raw chucks of steel and walnut. You're not just a gunmaker, you're Van Gogh or Rembrandt only with wood and steel instead of paint and canvas. Wow!

Thanks Tim,

I regulated the rifle with Remington 45gr hp. Scope and sights shot the same.

Super impressive, thanks for sharing the process of perfection with us.

Yes! I'd call Bailey an Artist and a gun maker!

I just received this email from Rocky Hays. He is partof the gunsmithing staff for Chuck Hawks. The did a test firing of this rifle and will write an article on it to be up soon. I thougt it important to include the whole e-mail showing issues with the rifle as well as the good stuff. The issues are correctable and will be taken care of as soon as it's in hand.

"Bailey,
We got the Hornet out to the range for test firing, and we're all finished. It's boxed up, and I'll ship it via UPS Ground tomorrow (Tuesday); I'll send you the tracking number
We were not able to find factory Remington ammo; the only ammo we could get was Stars & Stripes, 33 grain speer tnt's. The gun shot very well with this ammo, although it
was about 2 1/2" high at 50 yds. The regulation on the gun seems to be perfect--I don't think you could tune it any better. Good job. We shot it at 150 yds and 200 yds; it
shot under 2" groups at both distances--still about 2 1/2" high and 2 1/2" right. If it were my gun, I'd probably zero the scope at 100 yds for the 33 grain ammo
We had some problems with the triggers. We measured the front trigger pull at 5 pounds and the rear trigger at 7 1/2 pounds; both trigger pulls seemed excessive. And the
trigger pull did affect the accuracy of our shooting--the left barrel (front trigger) shot tighter groups than did the right barrel. You told me how to remove the trigger pack, but
we did not remove it, and we made no adjustments on the triggers. When we dry fired the gun to test trigger pull, the right firing pin remained protruded and was catching the
extractor so that we couldn't open the gun. Also, the right firing pin seems a little high, as it is making drag marks on the casings
The staff really liked this little gun, and loved the idea that it was made with Damascus steel--it was very pretty and very unusual
It may be as much as a month before the article on your gun is posted; I will send it to you as soon as it's up
Rocky"