I have a friend who's hunted Kodiak Island, Alaska, from a boat, with blued wood stocked rifles for 20 years. The way he seals his stocks, they do not move, and I don't think you will find a wetter place to hunt on this planet! As far as rust, just put on a few coats of paste wax.

I hunted 2 weeks in pretty much constant rain this year with a blued rifle, and stock prepared per my buddies instructions. It still shoots 3/4" groups to the same POI.

Properly assembled rifles, whether blued/wood or ss/syn will be stable and accurate in adverse conditions.

CMaxson whar caliber are you looking for?

GMaxson:

I recommend you talk with Sterling Davenport of Tucson, Arizona. Sterling's number is 520-749-5590.

Bob

Hot Core Says: Back a long time ago when Melvin Forbes was just Ultralight Arms, I wanted to buy one of his rifles too. Talked to him a good bit and told him I wanted one made in Stainless. Only problem was, at that time, he only made them in Blue Steel and "wasn't interested" in making a Stainless rifle. A few weeks pass and I call him back to see if he would make me a Blue one, but including him getting the rifle "Armoloyed". Once again he basically and politely said, "If you want one of my rifles, you will have to buy it the way I make it or not at all."

Hot core: I do not think I missed your point. I believe my interpretation is consistent with what you typed. (see above) I am interpreting "wasn't interested" in making a Stainless Rifle to mean he wasn't interested in building a Stainless Rifle which is what you wanted him to make ...correct??

As a consumer you have the option to buy elsewhere, that is why I found Melvin's stance to be a respectable one.

I don't think anybody feels you are slamming Mel, in fact, I think it's a free country and you are entitled to have your rifle built YOUR way. I was just commenting on his integrity as he was "not interested" in building a rifle with a construction he didn't agree with. I don't think there is a thing wrong with that. If he has some "recipe" that he feels yields a rifle that embodies a certain philosophy (be it light weight, accuracy, etc), then it would be a mistake for him to produce something else that would not be a true representation of this. It's bad for business in the long run.

Also, as my original post stated, I do not own a NULA rifle. I do feel they are a fair value if you intend on buying a $2,500.00 rifle though.

Deckard

A good wood stock costs more then a plastic stock, but that's not to say that a good wood stock isnt' as stable as plastic. My buddies used well over a dozen different rifles with no problems, so it's not a fluke.

As far as deet, the bugs aren't that bad in the fall when the temps drop. As I recall, deet tends to melt plastic stocks pretty good, I know it makes a mess out of the grips on my fishing rods.

The best rifle for the $2,500 price level is the Steyr Scout.

I have used mine on four African hunts and two Canadian hunts now.

jim dodd

The reason I went to having custom hunting rifles built was I wanted a rifle built to my specs. Being left handed has been a curse in many ways, with rifles a major curse. I could never get what I wanted, always had to settle for a rifle. One day I got lucky and picked up a Sako M-591 action. What I wanted was a Sako in a McMillan model 7 stock aluminum pillar bedded 20inch barrel With a muzzle break in black T-coated 7-08 imp. And of course must be accurate. this was over ten years ago if I am not mistaken. I started calling top gunsmiths to see if they could build it for me. Many told me they were not interested in doing a Sako or bedding a Sako into a Mcmillan model 7 stock. A couple said they could do it but is was going to cost me more money. Well I found John Lewis he was open for a short time when I called, I told him what I wanted, And waited to hear that is was going to be a hard job cost extra ect. ect. Well I was surprised to hear him say no problem frank send the action down. We had a few telephone calls to get everything just right, John had some suggestions that would improve the rifle. Several months later a box came from the brown man. And boy was pleased. I finally got what I wanted A gun made for me. Went to the range to fire-form some brass, and my first target all 6 were .500s. I knew I had a shooter The gun shoots in the .300s all day long. I know if I put a target scope on it will do even better. Have the most accurate tool to do the job, and only you are to blame if you miss. Spend the money once for a custom gun it will serve you well. I highly recommend JOHN LEWIS of CPR rifles His work is top notch and nothing seems to be a problem for him to do. I must have a very distinct accent every time I call john he knows who I am (pre caller ID days) Bottom line treat yourself to a custom gun you deserve it!

CMAXson if you are looking for a H-S .I have a nice takedown in 7mm ultra for sale.email me
eli112711@aol.com

GMaxson

I guess what I have seen or rather not seen in your posts is the reason that YOU feel the need to have a custom rifle.

What is it about a decent factory rifle with a moderate amount of investment such as a new trigger is not adequate for your hunting?

I am not saying in any manner that a good custom gun is not worth the money that is spent for it but in your case why is the extra $2000 woth the difference in guns?

Just for the sake of it, my dream gun would be a Ruger #1 chambered for 6.5-06 with an absolutely georgeous piece of wood by Wenig gunstocks custom fit to me. I dont have a need for it but I sure do have a want for it.

Jim B.

I've had excellent work done by Darrell Holland from Powers, Oregon. He has built two rifles for me based on Remington 700s and both cost around $2,500. They both shoot well and function very reliably. He's not fast, but he is thorough.

On the other hand, I would give a wide berth to Wes Harris (Harris Gunworks or whatever he now calls himself). I wasted $2,500 on a rifle built by him. It never came close to working and he finally just blew me off (and declared bankcruptcy). That rifle spend more time in the air (back and forth to Harris's shop) than most people travel in a year.

FYI,

John Lewis accurized a Ruger VT in 22-250 (OK, so I was young and didn't know better about pouring good money after bad--I don't accurize Rugers anymore...) for me a few years ago and I can attest that he does very fine work.

Roger

Hey Nebraska, who is 'smithing your semi custom gun?

I have never purchased a custom rifle but if I did I would consider these guys....they come highly recommended.

http://www.prairiegunworks.com/