I've told this story before but back in 06, I had the trigger on my CZ550 416 Rigby disconnect and not fire the weapon while pointed at a Cape Buffalo Bull's shoulder from about 30 yards. Obviously, since that time, I've never trusted it. The only time it's been off the range is a couple of pig hunting excursions!

I had sent the rifle off to Match Grade Arms for modifications prior to the hunt. Some of the work was good and some not. Specifically, I had a synthetic stock put on, the barrel cut to 23", ported, barrel band swivel and a few other minor items. One of the great things about the CZ in 416 Rigby is that the magazine holds 4 rounds. When the rifle came back, it would only hold 3. Obviously the gun needed some work.

Enter Wayne Jacobson of American Hunting Rifles. Yeah, it's been 6 years since the trigger incident but I finally got off my butt and sent the rifle to him. He replaced the trigger, installed a Winchester M-70 style 3 position safety, straightened and filled the bolt handle, and gun koted the metal. Wayne also found the gun to jamb when feeding the last round which he fixed. We also found it to have a weak 375 follower spring which was replaced. In all, Wayne fixed all the things I had hoped would be taken care of by the other guys.

I sent the rifle off about 3 weeks ago. Wayne got right on it, completed the work in a very timely manner and sent it back. I just received it this afternoon. I'm extremely pleased with the work. It looks great, the action is much smoother, and the trigger breaks like glass at a nice weight.

Kudos to Wayne and his company. They will certainly get more of my business in the future. Here is a pic of the completed work:

Todd

Excellent! You know, gotta have these things sorted out sometimes, regardless of who or what. I have always heard good things about Wayne and AHR, just add this one to that list. Pleases my heart to see you with a bolt gun, and even better still, one that is working on trying to be a Winchester at that! LOL............ Just warms my heart!


Michael

I'm not one to bad mouth a Winchester M-70. If it just had two barrels, it would be perfect!

Back when this incident happened, if it had been a DR, I could have just pulled the other trigger!!

Anything made by man will have it's pros and cons, and in the end, they are all weak and have faults. It ain't the rifle, it's the man behind it that counts. If that man knows his rifle, then chances of success are high, even in failure.

Michael

quote:

Originally posted by michael458:
Anything made by man will have it's pros and cons, and in the end, they are all weak and have faults. It ain't the rifle, it's the man behind it that counts. If that man knows his rifle, then chances of success are high, even in failure.

Michael

True statement.

Todd

This of course pertaining to the age old argument of these two subjects;

Semi vs Revolver

Bolt vs Double

and many many more I can think of

Michael

quote:

his of course pertaining to the age old argument of these two subjects;

Semi vs Revolver

Bolt vs Double

and many many more I can think of

Michael

Michael, and your favorite, boxers vs thongs :-)

I read or heard something the other day that made a lot of sense to me.

There are many arguments over what is better, bolt / double, Semi / Revolver, etc., or words to that effect. The fact that the argument rages on is proof that on occasion, one is better than the other, and vice versa. All the important arguments that have actual answers, such as smokeless powder vs black powder are settled by simple truth, and are no longer worthy of argument.

So you just got it back?
You have not had time to give it a serious amount of testing. It looks nice but I hope you do not walk out to a cape buffalo and find it still does not go bang or worse does not feed after it goes bang once.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
So you just got it back?
You have not had time to give it a serious amount of testing. It looks nice but I hope you do not walk out to a cape buffalo and find it still does not go bang or worse does not feed after it goes bang once.

Yep, that's exactly what I'm likely to do!

Didn't say I've had a chance to ring it out yet. Said it looks nice, the action is much smoother, and the trigger breaks like glass. It holds 4 down again as it was supposed to and has a new, 3 position safety. Nothing more, nothing less. It'll take time to wring it out proper but I'm a hell of a lot happier with it today than I was when I got it back from the other guys.

So far, I'm pleased with all aspects of dealing with American Hunting Rifles. The work was performed in a timely maner for a good price and appears to be of high quality.

Wayne is one of the good guys. I have two of his upgraded rifles and I only hope I get a chance to go back to Africa and give them a workout.

Wayne's guns and I are heading back for our second tour in 2 weeks. They work fine.

Michael:

Further to your "man behind it that counts".....Spot on.....
As you know, I just returned this week from hunting multiple DG species with two PH friends of yours in ZIM.,who God Forbid, had the audacity to back me up with Remington 700's in .416.....
One of which fed and functioned perfectly,and the other ....well quirky ,but the owner is aware and has the questionable feed on the first cartridge out of the magazine sort of figured out..... A Magazine spring issue in an ADL synthetic model.... I am arranging to get replacements to him to fix the problem

Say it aint so....
But wasn't a factor since Neither ever raised their rifle during the trip.

Their long sucessful relationships with these guns proives your, Man matters more than the weapon, theory is correct.

That said, young Andrew is waiting like a kid at Christmas for the import arrival of the 2 B&M Model 70's you have made for him....

Best,
Paul

Paul

It is so good to hear from you, and that you made it home safe, and seem to be recovering from the trip!

I believe in the man behind the rifle first and foremost. I have seen it too many times.

Andrew was kind enough to send some photos of you and your hunt, some he had. Naturally I would not post these without your permission, and was waiting on your return, let you post your own photos too. None the less, with these photos, it most certainly appears that you had a very successful trip! Congratulations on that!

I heard from young Andrew this week, he was on his way to J'burg to pick up his new Winchester M70 500 MDM, and his new Winchester M70 9.3 B&M. By now, I expect he has them in hand. I had so very much had hoped he would have them in time for Zimbabwe season this year, but it just takes a lot of time to export, and import, and PAPER WORK! Next hunt, he will have the real thing in his hand.

Very Excellent Paul! I am so pleased all went well for you. After all, you went because I recommended for you to do so, and that falls on me in the end!

Michael