Made a few calls today looking for a smith to either rebarrel a 416 to 450 or bore a 458 win to lott. They were helpful and interested until we got to the calibs I was interested in then they wanted nothing to do with it. It sucks living in the hills!
Is it that much more work when you are building a big gun or is it fear of the unknown?
Looks like Im gonna have to start looking long distance. Or give up and shoot a factory gun.
Dean

Don't give up yet mate.Big bores are a specialised area of guns, and you have to find the right network of gunsmiths to handle them.

Otherwise its sort of like walking into a caryard asking the first salesman you see for a bigfoot monster truck.

I had to send my action to three different states to get the work done.All part of the fun

Hopefully one of the NY locals will post on to help you out.

Karl.

There are not that many people who know how to get a 458 lott to feed. Those long fat cartridges require a magazine, rails, ramp set up just right. It's not hard to do for those who know how.

Gents exist that know big bore rifles and have the proper equipment and a good collection of reamers for the cartridges. Most 'smiths don't understand big bore construction, don't have the proper skills and equipment, and do not have the reamers. Takes some time to learn and some $$$ to get equipped.

Ask around, find out who can do the work, call them and make up your mind. They all are as close as the brown UPS truck. And most of them are real busy, be patient when you make contact.

There is a lot of difference between making a 300 Magnum 400 yarder, or a 6mm PPC tack drive, and building that big bore DGR that bites on both ends.

I would rather be told No and send me on my way, than to have somebody "learn" with my rifle. Best of luck to ya

Dean,

Give Harry a call. I am sure he can do what you want.

Mc Gowen Rifle Barrels
5961 Spruce Ln, St Anne, IL 60964
Phone: (815) 937-9816

Pete

Hey Tonto,
Who have you tried in the area? I've got a guy out in Ilion that does my work.
Their name is Whitedoggunsmithing. I don't know if you've tried them or not.
Hope this helps,
Trigger

Triggerhap2
I tried some guys from up north and in Vermont. Do you know the # for those guys Id like to find someone in the area first.
Havent given up yet. Thanks for the suggestions
Quail wing got Harry on my list if it goes out of state.
Thanks Dean

DGR's are a specialized form or rifle and their constuction requires alot of experience. Just read the tales of woe illustrated on this site. You really don't want a Smith who has never done one before. There are only four people I would trust to build a decent Big Bore for me. Of course no one meets my own standards, but thats why I build these things for myself! I've learned the hard way and have had some dissapointing experiences with big name "smiths" in the past!. The four are:
1. American hunting rifles for 458 Lotts,450 Rigby's 500 A2's etc.
2. Dennis Olsen- 505 Gibbs to 585 NYATI and up
3. John Ricks- 458 to 585- John is probably capable of building anything
4. Butch Searcy- Big Bore Doubles
I'm sure I've missed a bunch of really good folks, but the above group probably has the most relevant experience.