Did anyone look over and handle the one Sterling Davenport had at his booth on the Mod 70 action, if I remember correctly?

Yep, I spent some time at Sterling's booth on Sunday. The .500 Jeff looked superb. Built on a M70 action, all the goodies. Interestingly, the deep drop box holds 3 down, not 4, and the rear sight is on an island, not a quarter rib. Sterling spoke about the reasoning for that, but I forget what the reasoning was. It was interesting to me that Sterling builds the .500 Jeffs on standard long actions, not mags. Overalll, the rifle was the impeccable instrument I would expect from Sterling Davenport.

BTW, the main reason I can't remember too much about the Jeff is that I was in his booth going over the specs for MY NEW Davenport ! ! It'll be a .416 Hoffman on a left-handed Daly Mauser action. Yippee .. !

A beautiful rifle and excellent value at $4,800. However after handling it and thinking of the number of opportunities I would have to actually use it, I purchased the .416 Remington Magnum he had on display instead. Just a bit more practical for me. I also thought the .35 Whelen he built on the Springfield action was exquisite! But I admit I really am a Davenport fan....

I liked the look and feel of the Davenport rifles on display at DSC. The one glaring problem with some of them is that highly polished extractor. What's up with that?

ForrestB,

if we add tht many, I think it is a sign that some days you think too much!!!!


regards,

Rich
DRSS

quote:

The one glaring problem with some of them is that highly polished extractor. What's up with that?

Picky, picky, picky....

Would someone post information on how to reach Sterling. I wanted to buy one of his rifles last year but heard he had become quite ill.
Frank

Frank, the last number I have for Sterling is 520-749-5590. Chris

why doesn't he build a correct and proper 500 jeffery ? they were all built on single square bridge actions, not puny model 70 actions.

i sincerely hope he didn't use the model 70 safety - or did he ?

Frank,
Sterling's address is:

9611 East Walnut Tree Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85749

Sometimes he may be hard to catch on the telephone but a note with your phone number will elicit a call from Sterling. He is a true gentleman and easy to talk to. Good luck on your new project.

quote:

Originally posted by tomo577:
why doesn't he build a correct and proper 500 jeffery ? they were all built on single square bridge actions, not puny model 70 actions.

i sincerely hope he didn't use the model 70 safety - or did he ?

I am sure he would be happy to do one on a sqare bridge action if you offer to supply it at the same price, or pay the difference! I am sure he could do a tang safety if that trips you trigger better than a Mod 70 style. If you do the Mauser thing he can probably fix you up with a military trigger and safety as well. The guy has some talent.

If you think Sterling is talented as a gunsmith you should see his collection of scale model airplanes. When I was at his house picking up a stock he had checkered for me he had some really nice BIG bores he was working on. 4 bores if memory serves. He is definitely one of the Premier Gunsmiths in the Tucson area. He builds beautiful rifles with a stock design I really like.

quote:

Originally posted by tomo577:
why doesn't he build a correct and proper 500 jeffery ? they were all built on single square bridge actions, not puny model 70 actions.

i sincerely hope he didn't use the model 70 safety - or did he ?

He does, I am the proud owner of one. A 10lb beauty. He has it now as I want a Rigby style floor plate so it will comfortably carry three down and close on one up! Did anyone see my 9.3x62 that was there??

Nope, Leonard, didn't see your rifle ... he must have sold it

I spoke to Sterling today and asked him about the polished extractors. He said they were prepped for jeweling but he ran out of time before the show.

I sat down and looked at that rifle for sometime. It was finished very well. I would replace the extractor anyway. I thought that it was a very good bargain compared to other options. The follower also had been relieved, allowing the back of the round to drop after it was about 1/3 through the feeding length. The rifle was very light. To be carried lots and shot little, relatively speaking. He told me that he guaranteed it to feed factory ammo from both sides of the magazine. What is the consensus? Is the M70 a good option for a .500J? Would a pre-64 long action be better? gduffey

I like pre-64 Winchester actions. I think, as long as we can get the long action Classic actions that they might be a better option. Don't have a heart attack on that one . I know that Sterling likes the Classic action better and if he likes it better and he is making it up then that is the way to go. I wanted an original Orberndorf Mauser for my rifle and am not sorry I went that way.