In the midst of planning a trip across the pond to hunt DG in '07 (Buff. and Leopard), and need a DGR.

Originally I was looking into the AHR, but have been told that it would be a good idea to check into a custom DGR based on a M70 Classic action by D'Arcy Echols.

I've done some searching, and notice he has no website. I also can't seem to find any examples of his work. Are all his rifles done with a synthetic stock, or does he have offerings in wood?

For those that have had D'Arcy build them a Ledgend, could you please post up some photo's?

Appreciate your assistance.

William

you may also want to consider these:

http://www.rbbigbores.com

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
you may also want to consider these:

http://www.rbbigbores.com

No price list. But if you have to ask.... They are so beautiful. Almost gunporn!!! I need to win the lottery.

William, send Allen Day, who posts here a PM! He has a couple of D'Arcey's rifles, and can tell you anything you need to know about them, including the price!

I have seven Echols rifles, including a 270 Win., a pair of 300 Win. Mags., a pair of 338 Win. Mags., a 375 H&H, and a 416 Rem. Mag. Basically, I only hunt with Echols any more, and one of the 300s and the 416 is going with me to Tanzania this season. That particular 300 Win. has accounted for scores of animals, and is a veteran of several safaris.

To answer your questions and to provide a little background, D'Arcy is a graduate of Colorado School of Trades. He then apprenticed under Jack Belk and Jerry Fisher, taught stockmaking at CST, has worked with Jasper Rayborn in metalsmithing, has worked with and studied under Tom Burgess for most of his career, and has networked with a vertiable who's who of the custom riflesmithing industry, including David Miller and Curt Crum, etc. He's been a full-time professional riflebuilder for his entire adult life and went to CST right after high school. To say the least, he's committed to the industry, and he's so gifted in every aspect of best-quality bolt action riflebuilding that there are few tricks he hasn't learned, although he never lets moss gather, never gets hide-bound by "Blessed Tradition", and he's always trying to find ways to do withings better without leaving the fundamental constructs of classic riflebuilding.

Since he started out as a stockmaker and has his roots in fine walnut, he will certainly build you a Classic grade rifle with a fine walnut stock. He is particularly talented in getting a rifle to feed prefectly, and to shoot with superb accuracy. He makes his own magazine boxes and followers, and he goes through seemingly countless proceedures to blueprint and rebuild actions, etc., etc.

He also finishes stocks to take on the worst weather, and he beds stocks for absolute rigidity and stability. Every rifle is thoroughly broken-in and extensively tested for gilt-edge accuracy and perfect feeding before you ever take deliver of it. There are no rifles sent out that are't a known quantity, and your rifle is ready to hunt with (and bet your life on) as soon as you receive it.

I only have fiberglass-stocked Echols rifles, but I'll try and post some photos of those a bit later.

Echols has no website yet, although he's been working on one! You can e-mail him: legend@bridgernet.com If you want his phone number, send me a PM and I'll provide it. There is no riflemaker I trust more, and there's no more talented or honest man you can hire to build a fine bolt-gun than D'Arcy.......

AD

Allen --

I'd like to see those photos, too (when youget a chance to post them).

I would say he is the ultimate gunsmith, he is every bit as good as most gunbuilders think they are..

Great! Thanks for the information and background. I look forward to seeing his work when you have time Allen.

William

You might want to check this thread in the Gunsmithing forum.
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9411043/m/395106492

Having looked at DPhillips's post/thread I can only state, I'm breathless.
Mr Echols is truely at the peak of his art.

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
Having looked at DPhillips's post/thread I can only state, I'm breathless.
Mr Echols is truely at the peak of his art.

ForrestB's rifles in the thread I posted are actually made by Duane Wiebe and Ralf Martini. Forrest is a graduate of the Reno school of Accounting, evidently.

My mistake.
But they sure is pretty.

quote:

Originally posted by DPhillips:

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
Having looked at DPhillips's post/thread I can only state, I'm breathless.
Mr Echols is truely at the peak of his art.

ForrestB's rifles in the thread I posted are actually made by Duane Wiebe and Ralf Martini. Forrest is a graduate of the Reno school of Accounting, evidently.

Can you tell us who does the wood and who does the metal? Or do they break the work down in another fashion?

500grains, I think it is covered in the original thread.

Chuck