dirklawyer came up with a rifle for me, and a great deal it has been.

It's a 22" Pedersen cut-rifled barrel mated to LH Ruger Hawkeye action from a .375. The stock is curently the Ruger, but Dirk sent me a very nice McMillan fiber stock that I may install. It weighs 8.5 pounds, which I thought might be a little light for comfort, but it was no problem. Recoil is very manageable.

I really screwed up my back on my last safari and have been down for the count for weeks, but recently a new pain reliever has allowed me to return to mobility.

I've been looking longingly at that .458 sitting in my safe for weeks.
So today I took it to the range and ran about ten rounds through it. What a beautiful shooter. Offhand, it groups at 2 inches or less at 25 yards with irons, and since I got there late, I didn't have time to try it at fifty. I love it. Fantastic balance and pointability.

Sorry I don't have any pictures yet, but when I get the tupperware installed, I'll post some.

Glad you are getting some relief for your back and that you got to shoot the new rifle. It should be just the ticket when you get back to Africa.

I have no excuse for not shooting except inertia!

Bravo Fred,

The recoil from the 458 might just twist you the right direction thus giving you a 458 manipulation like your Chiro does and it's fun and inexpensive at the same time.

quote:

I have no excuse for not shooting except inertia!

Stationary momentum, Charles. Takes horsepower to overcome that.

Yeah, Dirk, but if I can't get set up for reloading soon, it's gonna be more pricy than the Chiro, but a heck of a lot more fun!

.

I've been looking longingly at that .458 sitting in my safe for weeks.
So today I took it to the range and ran about ten rounds through it. What a beautiful shooter. Offhand, it groups at 2 inches or less at 25 yards with irons, and since I got there late, I didn't have time to try it at fifty. I love it. Fantastic balance and pointability.

Jet Driver, Your experience with open site big bores is more like mine. When I posted that I could only shoot about 6in off hand at 100yds with the express sites on my 10.75x68, I got many responses indicating that I should, perhaps, take up a hobby other than shooting and that the average 10yo with a Red Ryder could do better. Lot of Quigley's out there

quote:

Lot of Quigley's out there

Yeah, I guess so. 6 inches at 100 ain't bad, in my book.

I'm going to scope it with a 1.5-5, but I grew up shooting irons and if I can hit a buff at 100 yds with irons within 6 inches of my point of aim shooting offhand standing, he's a dead buff, so I don't sweat the Quigleys.

The rifle in the Ruger wood. I like wood, and I may keep it in wood, even though it has a ding in the forend.



NECG banded front sight with white fiber bead, a barrel band sling swivel mount, and a NECG rear peep. Using a slip-om Decelerator for now while I make up my mind on the final version...



Will probably get rid of the peep and add a NECG two leaf island rear sight.

The entire barrel, action, floor plate and trigger assembly is coated with Robar's NP3 auto-catalytic coating, a combination of Teflon and electroless nickel. I like it. Softens the glare from the original stainless and protects against wear and grime. Still a work in progress. I love the short barrel, great for the thick stuff, and the balance is great.

One improvement I made on my 375 Ruger was to replace the front sight with a red fiber optic bead from NECG.
Wow! So much easier to pick up in off lighting conditions.

Yep. This white one almost glows in the dark.

Looks like a winner. Have heard good things about the NP3.

Another improvement I would make would be to move the bolt handle to the other side! Shoots better for me!
Peter.

SWEET!

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
SWEET!

And it's gonna get sweeter...

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Another improvement I would make would be to move the bolt handle to the other side! Shoots better for me!
Peter.

Harrruuumph!!