I usually don't wander away from the African Forum section but I had posted pics there of the rifle I just acquired. I realized some folks here might enjoy taking a peek.

I did not know how to do it justice in just one image so please excuse the multiple close ups.

Very nice rifle including the Boyt soft case.
Do the rear sight leafs hold in place when up right?

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
Very nice rifle including the Boyt soft case.
Do the rear sight leafs hold in place when up right?

They do in my living room. I'll let you know otherwise once I fling some lead out of it.

Does that GORGEOUS stock have a steel buttplate?

George

interesting specimen

That's a real beauty!

OUTSTANDING!!!

Simply lovely!!!!

<<<sigh>>>

Very very nice !
Not sure I want to shott a .375 H&H with that steel but though.
...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
Does that GORGEOUS stock have a steel buttplate?

George

Cheek piece!!

That's a classic in extraordinary shape; even I'd have a tough time taking that one into rough country. A real beauty for sure - they don't get any better than that one.

Wow! What more can I saw about this work of art?

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
That's a classic in extraordinary shape; even I'd have a tough time taking that one into rough country. A real beauty for sure - they don't get any better than that one.

I realized I didn't mention at the start of this thread and I wouldn't want to mislead anyone, the stock is not original to the gun and was added sometime between 1977 and 1984 as far as I have been able to learn.

The Winchester action is from 1938 and the Hoffman Arms Company markings on the barrel place it built in Abilene so the date would most likely be 1940 - 1943 from what I have learned so far.

If anyone has any other knowledge about this period gun fell free to chime in.

Frostbit: Any idea who made the stock? Very nice wood and workmanship.

quote:

Originally posted by stocker:
Frostbit: Any idea who made the stock? Very nice wood and workmanship.

I don't know yet but I believe I may be able to find out soon. The gunshop owner who had it between 1977 and 1984 (give or take) probably mated the barreled action to the stock. he will be back in town on Saturday and I'm going to try and run by the shop with the rifle and see what his memory is.

quote:

Originally posted by stocker:
Frostbit: Any idea who made the stock? Very nice wood and workmanship.

I was finally able to catch up with the gun shop owner who had the gun from 1977 – 1984. I walked into the shop with the gun in a soft case (without scope mounted). I placed the case on the counter and opened it, removed the rifle and handed it to the shop owner.

I could see recognition come to his expression as he cradled the gun like an old friend. He smiled and related how he had killed a Brown Bear on Kodiak with the rifle. I learned he was after the gun when it had the Plain Jane Winchester stock and was owned by a collector that later sold it to the gentleman that eventually traded it to the shop owner in 1977. Part of the trade included a Super Cub and the only way the shop owner would trade the airplane was if this gun was part of the deal.

After the trade he sent it to Martin Hagn to be restocked with a custom stock built from a Turkish Walnut blank.

It’s been fun finding the history of the gun. Now that I know it has already seen field use in Kodiak I feel even more strongly about taking it to Africa and using this beauty for its intended purpose.

If you don't want to take it to Africa, by all means send it to me and I will...

Frosty,
A very good bit of kit you have there, Have you tested it for accuracy and if so what groups sizes are you getting, how heavy is it?
Happy New Year to one and all!

That is a beautiful gun!! I am in the process of building up a 1961 Win 70 into a 375 H&H. Are 375's better floated or bedded solid?

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
Frosty,
A very good bit of kit you have there, Have you tested it for accuracy and if so what groups sizes are you getting, how heavy is it?
Happy New Year to one and all!

8.5 pounds with the scope, unloaded. Haven't shot it yet. Had right shoulder surgery 5 months ago and I will start shooting again in a few months when the weather improves (20 below zero F. today). I'll probably shoot my lighter calibers and walk up through 7mm and .338 until I'm back in the groove. Then we'll see how this one performs.

I'm no Hoffman expert and wouldn't even know where to turn to find more out about them, but I have seen a few Hoffmans. This is the first I've seen that didn't have a Mauser action.

quote:

Originally posted by Prewar70:
I'm no Hoffman expert and wouldn't even know where to turn to find more out about them, but I have seen a few Hoffmans. This is the first I've seen that didn't have a Mauser action.

This thread is probably the best place on this forum for information concerning Hoffmans. It seems the Hoffman Arms Company "re-opened" in 1940 in Amarillo, TX. with parts from the previous shop. The M-70 action on my rifle is from 1938. The top of the barrel is marked "Hoffman Arms Co. Amarillo Texas #26". Perhaps the M-70 was mated to the Barrel early in 1940 but who's to say.

If Michael Petrov wants to chime in his opinion is certainly welcome.

I did find out the stock was done after 1977 and before 1984.

Oh well, the mystery continues. I spoke with Martin Hagn on the phone today and emailed him pictures of the rifle and he has no memory of doing any of the work on it.

I wonder who did the stock?

That is one pretty piece of wood

Finally had some quality range time with the gun. Here's the scoop.

As pretty as the stock may be it was probably built as a safe queen. I had it bedded with pillars placed because it developed a tiny hairline crack at the tang after the first 10 rounds I put through it. The magazine door also had the unhealthy habit of opening with each shot

I had the gunsmith work the trigger to lower it to 3# and remove some annoying creep. Replaced the bases and rings with Talley QR in 30mm to fit the Swarovski 2.5 - 10 illuminated reticle scope I picked up and put a heavier spring in the magazine door.

Took it to the range today and it was spraying all over with Hornady 270 grain ammo I had. I switched over to Federal 300gr. TSX (which is what I plan on hunting anyway) and it's now at 1 MOA consistent. Put a round through a buddies chrono and got 2612. I think this one might be a keeper.

Great outcome! The 300 gr TSX is a very, very good hunting bullet at ~2600 fps.

Congratulations!

Thank you so much for posting. It makes me happy to know that such objects still exist, and aere used as intended.

Your RR is a '69, I believe. Mine was a '68. Sold it dog years ago. Dummy.

Eventually, you might want to think about a Schmidt & Bender. That firearm deserves it.

Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
Frosty,
A very good bit of kit you have there, Have you tested it for accuracy and if so what groups sizes are you getting, how heavy is it?
Happy New Year to one and all!

100 Yards with Federal Vita-shock and Barnes 300 grain TSX

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Awesome rifle! Congrats!

Thanks!!

Final Verdict....

Not sure whether I like the buff or the rifle more!! Both are outstanding...congrats!

Regards,
Scott

quote:

Originally posted by Vanderhoef:
Not sure whether I like the buff or the rifle more!! Both are outstanding...congrats!

Regards,
Scott

Thanks

Hunt reports if you are interested.

Zambia

Namibia

What a truly beautiful work of art and working art at that!

What a heart-breaking beautiful piece of trash!

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Finally had some quality range time with the gun. Here's the scoop.

As pretty as the stock may be it was probably built as a safe queen. I had it bedded with pillars placed because it developed a tiny hairline crack at the tang after the first 10 rounds I put through it. The magazine door also had the unhealthy habit of opening with each shot

I had the gunsmith work the trigger to lower it to 3# and remove some annoying creep. Replaced the bases and rings with Talley QR in 30mm to fit the Swarovski 2.5 - 10 illuminated reticle scope I picked up and put a heavier spring in the magazine door.

Took it to the range today and it was spraying all over with Hornady 270 grain ammo I had. I switched over to Federal 300gr. TSX (which is what I plan on hunting anyway) and it's now at 1 MOA consistent. Put a round through a buddies chrono and got 2612. I think this one might be a keeper.

Absolutely a beautiful rifle......and a Pre War at that!!!!

Smart move with the pillars. Unfortunately, the majority of safequeens just aren't built to be put through the paces. Glad to hear you've got'er figured out.

Many Thanks for posting the pictures of such an excellent piece of work.

Congratulations on the Buffalo with the fine old rifle.

What a lovely rifle!