The Accurate Reloading Forums
The "GREY GHOST" bigdoggy700's 700 AHR with photos
16 February 2008, 18:41
BitterrootThe "GREY GHOST" bigdoggy700's 700 AHR with photos
bigdoggy700 asked me to post photos of the "GREY GHOST", his new 700 AHR LEFT HAND model
Fiberglass/Kevlar stock and silver Gunkote on metal
17 lbs. with scope
16 February 2008, 18:45
tiggertateTake deep breaths, George!
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
16 February 2008, 18:52
jeffeossoHOLD ON TIGHT
16 February 2008, 18:54
jsl3170What is the action on this rifle? It looks like a CZ 550 but I did not think they were being made yet?
16 February 2008, 18:58
RIPOh! My eyes! (double entendre)
Can't you at least put a matte-black scope on that thing to tone it down a little?
I could go for one of these in a civilized caliber, as Alf says, but I would at least use some black spray paint to tone it down a little, so as not to spook the game, unless it was strictly for use with snow-camo gear and polar bear hunting.
Is that just gray primer on the stock? How about some textured panels on the grip and forearm? That thing is gonna have some torque and need holding on to if it is actually fired.
Surely some more finish work needs to be done on the stock and maybe metal coating?
Please tell more about the availability of left hand CZ actions.

16 February 2008, 19:52
RIPThat is a very nice stock pattern.
Much preferred over termite food.
Bright stainless can be coated.
I really do like it.
But is that a nickel-coated chromoly action?
The desire to find a stainless magnum Mauser action is what drew me into involvement with a certain UNMENTIONABLE "supposed" custom action maker.
Alas, it was not to be.
Nobody has made one yet have they?
Hmmm?
16 February 2008, 20:05
500grainsChiropractor standing by....

16 February 2008, 20:09
trophyhunter5000quote:
Originally posted by jsl3170:
What is the action on this rifle? It looks like a CZ 550 but I did not think they were being made yet?
I thought the 700 AHR was a GMA proposition only?
Not sure that is a CZ action...think it is a GMA...
Who’s that holding the rifle….is that Ed…
Sharp looking rifle….
Man if ya dropped it in the snow you have a hard time finding it…
______________________
Sometimes there is no spring...
Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm...
16 February 2008, 20:22
BitterrootThe action is from GMA.
All metal except bolt and follower is finished in Gunkote silver. The stock has a light stipple or orange peel texture and is easy to hold on to. The photos don't do it justice. It shoots real sweet at 17 lbs. I will post a video somewhere of me shooting it. That is yours truly in the photo. I don't think bigdoggy designed it as a hunting rifle, more of a statement and something truly unique and special, which it is. I'm sure he will tell us all about it soon.
16 February 2008, 20:42
CCMDocHey, I didn't realize that Bigdoggy700 was sinister, but I guess that fits with anyone having
two AHR 700 rifles!
I love it, especially the gunkote silver action and barrel.
Speaking of barrel - what's the lenght on that one? I hope I am not going to regret going from 26" to 23" barrel

.
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
16 February 2008, 20:49
trophyhunter5000quote:
That is yours truly in the photo.
Sorry Wayne...don't know why I figured you as Ed...

CCMDoc...
You wont't have any regrets once you get your 600 OK...
You'll get all the velocity you could want out of that 23" tube...
Mine only has a 20" bbl and I love the way it handles and still has more than enough zing

______________________
Sometimes there is no spring...
Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm...
16 February 2008, 21:06
RIPGMA square bridges cut for the BRNO-CZ-style mounts. Cool.

Silver Gunkote is a flashy "statement."
Good to see that things actually get done at AHR in a timely fashion.

16 February 2008, 21:34
GeorgeSquote:
Originally posted by tiggertate:
Take deep breaths, George!
George
16 February 2008, 22:42
JefferyDenmarkWOW.
How does she handle?
Cheers,
André
Always always use enough... GUN & KNIFE
16 February 2008, 23:58
boom stickLove it...
Those wooly mamoths wont know what hit them.
I think the bore is enough statement so maybe this is a statement within a statement.
Bigdoggy...Bring her down to the shoot in Texas!
Silver Spectre?
17 February 2008, 01:56
SAFARIKIDquote:
Originally posted by CCMDoc:
Hey, I didn't realize that Bigdoggy700 was sinister, but I guess that fits with anyone having
two AHR 700 rifles!
I love it, especially the gunkote silver action and barrel.
Speaking of barrel - what's the lenght on that one? I hope I am not going to regret going from 26" to 23" barrel

.
You Won't! I love my shorter barrels in the field...if it will only be shot at the range on sandbags or in a vise,go 30"!

...BIGDOGGY-Congrats to both of us on the new Boomers!

"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
17 February 2008, 08:18
bigdoggy700Thanks for the comments guys. Due to crappy weather, lots of ice, I won't receive the 700 AHR "gray ghost" until Mon. of Tues. As for recoil, I am not bragging, but if Safari Kid can handle a 700 AHR in a 20" barreled 10.75 pound gun, I am pretty sure that I can handle a 26" barreled version at 17 lbs. The 6 extra inches does squeeze out another 100 ft/sec than the 20" barrel. We hope to get 2400 ft/sec out of the 26" barrel when the drawn brass comes in . Right now the 2100 ft/sec loads are made with turned brass. As Wayne pointed out, the action is indeed a GMA action, While I don't do lots of hunting, I do enjoy shooting a lot. So this gun won't just be stuck in a safe.And for CCMDoc, I do not have 2 700 AHR's, I have a 700 nitro Searcy double and a 700AHR bolt. I do however own 2 Ken Owen 4-bores. I will hopefully shoot it this coming week is the weather clears up. I just thought the gray would be a little different, as I have several big bores in the wood/ blue finish. If anyone has a dinosouar problem, just call me of Safari Kid!!
17 February 2008, 08:39
gumboot458......Big Doggy ,, Are you one of those 7 foot tall Pro Rasalers or something ........That rifle is Amazing ,,,..............It really makes the pinky finger crowd take a way back seat ......Congratulation to you and Bitterroot

.If it can,t be grown , its gotta be mined ....
17 February 2008, 08:45
bigdoggy700Actually, just a 380 pound, 5'9" little fat guy that loves to play with really big bores!
17 February 2008, 17:45
CCMDocquote:
Originally posted by bigdoggy700:
And for CCMDoc, I do not have 2 700 AHR's, I have a 700 nitro Searcy double and a 700AHR bolt. I do however own 2 Ken Owen 4-bores.
Oh, sorry - didn't mean to insult you by saying you had only a few "little" 700s

And for those of youwho thought I
was insulting Bigdoggy700 with my sinister comment, ask friends who went to Catholic school (back more than a few years ago) what happened if they were left-handed and why.
Again, beautiful rifle and now I am considering the silver Gunkote on my wood-stocked 600OK.
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
17 February 2008, 18:47
bigdoggy700CCMDoc,everything is cool, I am Catholic and I know what you mean. I never took anything as an insult. Everybody has their own opinions, and I am thick skinned anyway. Some people will love the Gray Ghost and some won't. It is different but I like it. For any of you that have not dealt with bitterroot, he is great to work with.
17 February 2008, 19:45
jro45That 700 AHR looks like one heck of a Rifle. What is the recoil on that weapon.
17 February 2008, 19:55
RIPYes we know "sinister" is Latin for "left" and "dexter" is Latin for right.
So, did the nuns try to train the sinister-handed kids into manual dexterity with their north paws?
Some misguided individuals do consider stainless and synthetic to be sinister, whatever the handedness of the rifle. They are mainly workers and sellers of walnut.
17 February 2008, 20:45
bigdoggy700JRO 45, On my rifle the recoil with the 2100 ft/sec loads is 140 ft.lbs at 23 ft/sec, On Toms rifle it is 201 ft.lbs at 35 ft/sec with the same load 2000 ft/sec. 6 1/4 lbs makes a big difference in recoil!
17 February 2008, 21:56
RobgunbuilderI have to say I prefer pretty wood on my cannons, however, it will be very nice to shoot at that weight. I have a .700RLG based on a full length .50BMG case and I can shoot it no problem in a 16lb gun. The .700RLG will drive a 1000gr bullet over 3000fps as it probably got a 100gr powder advantage over the .700AHR. However you do need a Mcmillan action ( repeater) instead of a more svelt GMA. Nice looking working gun that you won't be afraid to drag through the bush though. Congrats and give us a range report.-Rob
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
17 February 2008, 22:44
CCMDocquote:
Originally posted by RIP:
Yes we know "sinister" is Latin for "left" and "dexter" is Latin for right.
So, did the nuns try to train the sinister-handed kids into manual dexterity with their north paws?
Absolutely - yard sticks and music sticks were used for far more than measuring lenght and time back in the day of the daily airraid siren!
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
17 February 2008, 22:57
RobgunbuilderBTW, there is a short version of the .700RLG BASED ON THE .50BMG CASE that will fit in a GMA action. It has a tiny shoulder on it, jujst enough for headspacing and should make about the same power as the .700AHR but with the advbantage of .50BMG primers. I'm designing a action for it and writing the programs to make one specifically for this cartridge. -Rob
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
17 February 2008, 23:28
RIPRob,
Can you make your action long enough for the 3.25" cased .416 Barrett?
A box length of 4.00" will allow use of .416 hunting bullets, and the longer VLD target bullets could be single-loaded.
What do you see as the reason that no one has ever made a stainless magnum Mauser 98 with .750" or larger bolt diameter and 3.85" or longer box length?
With your capability, do you think you can do it?
I had an UNMENTIONABLE supposed custom action maker take my order for one.
First he said he was making it from pre-hardened stainless of specific type, had the material on hand and had started machining.
After the delivery date passed the story changed to another stainless alloy that would be machined soft and then heat treated to harden.
I hear that GMA, H&W, and Prechtl all machine their actions in soft chromoly then heat treat.
I am sure you are going to have to be conversant in alloys and heat treatment to build actions by CNC.
Any enlightenment on alloys, machining characteristics, strength, and heat treatment, stainless versus chromoly, would be much appreciated.
Sumbuddy who know?
(Phraseology borrowed from Ovekill from Sweden, whose handle inspired the naming of the 600 Over Kill.)
18 February 2008, 05:46
RobgunbuilderRIP-I have made complete Mauser actions before which worked fine. Even made my own .50BMG shell holder actions. Of course this was not for commercial sales as I did not want the legal hassles. At the time I choose 8620 as I was familiar with its maching and hardening properties as well as how it takes blueing. There are some modern steels that are way better choices than stainless for actions. With my new gear and the time to do so I am seriously contemplating making some custom actions big enough to rival the GMA. MY costs should be minimum as I have no employees other than hard working CNC mills and Lathes. Other than the FFL issues I really don't see the problem making any desired action.-Rob
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
18 February 2008, 07:43
.366torqueHey! Ya went an' put the bolt on the wrong side!!!
Just kidding, excellent rifle bigdoggy!!
18 February 2008, 09:26
Idaho SharpshooterBigDoggy700,
I just KNOW! you are coming to Houston with that thing and at least three rounds for me...right?
Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
18 February 2008, 22:36
bigdoggy700I am supposed to pick it up in about 4 hours. I can't hardly wait!
20 February 2008, 14:04
bigdoggy700Bitteroot,
Those are a couple of great looking 700 AHR's on your your updated website. Keep up the great work!
20 February 2008, 16:03
JefferyDenmarkCould someone post a picture of a 700 AHR cartridge along with another known big bore cartridge.
Cheers,
André
Always always use enough... GUN & KNIFE
25 February 2008, 04:04
BitterrootAndre', from the left : 700 AHR, 600 OK, 585 AHR, 500 AHR, and 45 Chapstick ( also known as 45-70 ).
25 February 2008, 04:43
Idaho SharpshooterI'm sitting down, how about an estimate on making me a dummy round to haul around for inspiration?
sign me working my way up the ladder...
Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
25 February 2008, 07:10
BitterrootRich, PM sent.
25 February 2008, 07:33
prof242Absolutely love it, but would spiderweb the stock. It would be put on display in a locked glass case.
Shoot it? Maybe once or twice, but "my mamma only raise one fool...an he liv in Mitchigan."
.395 Family Member
DRSS, po' boy member
Political correctness is nothing but liberal enforced censorship
25 February 2008, 13:07
JefferyDenmarkBitterrot
Thyanks for posting the picture, looks very HEAVY duty.
Cheers,
André
Always always use enough... GUN & KNIFE
25 February 2008, 13:41
bigdoggy700I have really been wanting to shoot it, but we have been covered up with ice for 3 weeks from 2 ice storms. Have to wait a little longer.