Lately I have run into several advertisements for Empire Rifles. They reportedly, according to their web site, www.empirereifles.com, build rifles on a magnum 98 Mauser action similar to some of the european houses. I have heard the name, but never ever heard a discussion of these big bore rifles here. From their web site, they appear to be as big as Dakota, but without the proprietary calibers. Chub Eastman and Jon Sundra reportedly have written articles about them, but am not aware of these. The selection of calibers run from 300 to .505, so apparently, they offer a complete line, some having smaller actions.

Does anyone on the forum own one of these rifles? Is the action the same as GMA or do they get it from Europe? The price for a finished rifles seems to run $8 or 9K and above for a semi-custom rifle, not cheap. But are they worth it?

Dak

http://www.empirerifles.com



... removed the extra "e" typo.



Built on a "Magnum 98M Mauser" action seems to suggest that they are using the same action as SiGARMS, Johannsen, and Prechtel, which are all made by Prechtel? At least for the "East African" rifle they offer. If so, it is as good as it gets.



This is hearsay ... "say" by me of what I "hear-ed" in gleanings from Alf.



Maybe Alf can set us straight.

I'm probably wrong, but was under the impression the actions are made by Dumoulin. Maybe someone can correct me on this.

I haven't seen one yet, but I am drooling over them enough that I think I will save my shillingi and have 3 of them made. A 450 Marlin with sights a DBM and a synthetic stock for pigs, a 9.3x64 or 375H&H set up the same, and a 450 Rigby or 500 Jefferys set up the same for that Tusker I probably won't get to hunt. Nice wood, but you pay for it!

I've talked to the guys ar Empire rifles and the East African model is built on the GM action. Their other rifles are built on a Mauser action built I believe in Italy and sold by Legacy Sports. You can see them on legacy sports website, they also import the Howa rifles. They claim they spend a lot of handwork on the actions and I imagine they do. I haven't been able to find anyone locally that has one I could take a peek at, although I'd like to.

I'm pretty sure they use Granite Mountain actions:

Dakota, let me start by saying that the rifles George is selling in the 8k an up price range are completely custom. He will make you exactely what you want how you want it. His semi-custom rifles sell for $3500+ depending options.

As to actions, George has used a couple of different ones for his rifles. The East African uses the Granite Mountain action. The other rifles can be ordered with the GM action for an additional cost. He was (is?) using the Dumoulin A2000 action for his base rifles and putting about 20 hours of work into them if I recall correctly. Even the GM actions are given a goinging over. As of this past summer he was working on developing his own version of the 98 Mauser. I know he has at least one prototype completed, but I don't know how far along he is in getting them into production. I posted a couple of photos of my 500 Jeffery's barreled action a few weeks ago. This is an Empire Rifles E. African rifle. The action is from Granite Mountain. I believe the bottom metal on my rifle is from Blackburn(?). The action is going to have a extended bottom tang added, the bridges lowered, and claw mounts installed before it's finished. I should have updated photos in the next couple of weeks.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/238927.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/img/238924.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/img/238974.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/img/238975.jpg


Hope this helps.

This question is off thread but...
Does Granite Mountain Arms have a web page?
I cannot seem to find it..

Try this one as well, on the Granite actions, from 470Mbogo's site.

http://www.470mbogo.com/GMA.html

Mike

I've seen the rifles at the DSC show and I've spoken with George on several occations. He's an upfront guy. If I could have found a left handed action from him at a reasonable cost I would own two of his actions for 404 Jeffery projects.

I believe Wiseman does the barrels and assembly. This should be first class. Does anyone know?

"This could be the next rifleman's rifle" and
"EMPIRE RIFLES is the leading US maker of Premium Hunting Rifles" Sounds a lot like "Always first with Everthing New" (Herter's).

I dont own one but I talked with them at SCI and drooled over every gun that was shown. They were very nice to talk to and answered all my dumb questions.. call them.

.

George is having his 98S action made in the US.

Just posted this on the African forums yesterday:

Just read this on 24 hour campfire:
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/411357/an/0/page/0#411357

Hope this will clarify: we build all of our rifles here in the US on three actions: the new 98S designed and machined by Empire, available in right and left hand, in stainless or chromemoly; the Granite Mountain Arms 98M Magnum Mauser, and the 98K, which is the imported Dumoulin A2000 action. All of these are actions are 100% Mauser 98, all are double square bridge. The 98S and 98K are H-ring; the 98M is C-ring. In addition to our US made rifles, we also act as US sales and service for Dumoulin-Herstal of Belgium. Our web site contains much more detailed information. All rifles come standard with a stainless match grade barrel, plus scope rings, and are finished with Cerakote, a milspec ceramic coating. We have built a strong reputation for quality and accuracy; am glad to answer any specific questions. Will be at SCI in Reno all next week, where I hope to see Jim; will check in first week of February or you can e-mail me directly. Good hunting, --George Sandmann, Empire Rifles

I must have breezed right by them without a look. There were so many new rifle manufacturers at Reno that you would have had to spend an entire day on that subject alone. I don't like spending that much money for a rifle that badly to do so. I'm not bad-mouthing anyone's product, you understand, just "cheaping" away. Besides, my safe is nearing the "full" mark (he said with his fingers crossed behind his back).

Somebody please give me the short course on C-ring, H-ring, and cone breech.

I take it cone breech is weaker in that it's a funnel to the barrel & chamber instead of fully supported metal all around the cartridge contained completely within the action. Steel surrounds the breech, with the exception of the cutout for the extractor? And because the action fully supports the back of the cartridge, you don't have to extend the extractor cut up into the barrel?

Steve

It's too bad the Empire web site opening page doesn't tell it straight out where they get their actions and how they are made. It seems this would be a good selling point and would dispel any hasty conclusions that they are just sawing off some old military 98K's and rewelding to a longer length.