I'm looking for a custom stockmaker in Australia. Preferably Melbourne as I go there more often than say NSW, but other stockmakers would also be of interest.

I have a factory .30-06 in a Parker Hale 1200 Delux. It shoots extremely accurately, three shot groups as small as not much more than a single calibre hole. So I am a bit loathe to play around with it. BUT ....

It has one of those Monte Carlo type stocks. Very shiny and not really fashionable today. I used to like it when I was seventeen.

I want to re-stock the rifle to a custom classic style stock. Ebony for-end tip, straight butt with a cheekpiece. Nice grain but does not have to be exhibition grade with good checkering. Otherwise all the metal work can stay the same, even the gold plated trigger. The safety is fine. After all why change what has worked well to date.

I may consider having the action bedding screws made into a Holland & Holland takedown type system ie the sort where the barreled action can be removed from the stock quite quickly and easily for transport.

Looking for any recommendations. Thanks.

Nitro,
The only custom stock I’ve had made was by Ross Waghorn - 03 9762 2438. I’ve got other rifles in the pipeline that he’ll work on once the metalwork is ready.

I’ve been more than happy with his workmanship, attitude and knowledge. My only comment is the price of the blanks he has on hand is a bit higher than what I’ve paid for good California English in the US. I have no idea if the price he charges for his work reflects whether he supplies the blank.

I know Fergus has used Geoff Slee for a number of stocks, so he must be happy with Geoff’s work.

Good luck.

- stu

from what I have learnt Waghorn is supposed to be the Oz's premier stock maker.

I have herad good things about Slee as well and David Stendall of Kopje custom rifles is also a talented smith/stock maker I beleive.

I think a lot of Ross' work. Gabe Gatti's is at least its equal.

NITRO
go for ross you wont be dissapointed
daniel

I have never used Waghorn for any stock work, so can not comment from first-hand experience, but as far as I knew, Ross does all does work by hand where other makers use some automation such as a stock duplicator. Last I heard (which is a while ago) Ross had a pretty long lead time on orders.

Roger Vardy (sp?) is also in the Vic/NSW region, but probably not too accessible on a trip to Melbourne (at least without 3-4 hours additional driving). Again, I’ve never had any work done by Roger, but he does have a good reputation.

Geoff Slee has made two stocks for me and will be making about 5 more in the near future. Photos of my two Slee stocked rifles are posted on my web site.

BTW, whilst I am not in a position to argue the pros or cons of hand making a stock from scratch, I note that one of the most highly regarded US rifle builders – D’Arcy Echols - uses a duplicator for his stock work.

Fergus

Thanks for the replies.

One of my sambar mates has a 9.3 stocked by slee pretty bloody good too john.....

Doutless there are others, but I can highly reccommend Geoff Slee.

Cheers, Dave.

Last year I was at The Reno ACGG,chatting away with Jerry Fisher about the finer things in rifles, along came this man,introduced himself to the conversation,which I dont mind,but within moments he began critisizing Rodger Vardys walnut. ? ?( it was not the topic of Conversation at the time) ... I looked at Jerry, Jerry looked at Me,then Jerry proceeded to say to this man that he held Vardy timber in high regard.That took the wind out of his sails and he soon fucked off. H&H by the way, buys Vardy in fair lots. Mike Roden of GMA,showed me a superb matched pair AT SCI last year that Rodger sent him,and i would say they are destined for amighty fine pair of magmausers. He was elated with them, so was I.
Not so Strangley, I had seen this man before, at numerous Au/OZ gunshows spruking the same kind of bullshit. It was the identical dribble that I heard from his mouth within minutes of meeting him for the first time some 15 yrs before.

The man happen to be Jeff Slee.

What is is it with some Kiwis and Pommies that come to Au, is their not enough audience back home that they must make a concerted effort to get on a Jumbo,and travel the world to splatter their shit or tell the world how much they really dont know? Is their home country so overrun with genius that they were force to other parts of the world to be recognized ,as if. Mexicans I dont mind too much,in fact I know some mighty fine ones,Ive been known to slip south of the border myself. but a Kiwexican thats just too much. I would get them to kiss my but I dont want any infectious diseases.

Goodnight all, Elvis has left the building.

Piss off woodjack - you're spreading generalisations same as the shit you're accusing someone else of, but for your information about Kiwis and Poms, they learn the whinging technique from a very select few of the local Aussies then seek to export it as a service to the world

generalisations are dangerous woodjack but wear the cap if it fits . . .

signed - A Kiwi who does not usually generalise except in jest and with good humour