Finally after 12 years (that's another story) I had my custom 416 Rigby delivered. I took it out of the box and to say I was disapointed was an understatement. I was gutted. The finish was marked and crappy. The checkering was crap with overruns shitty borders, flats etc. The recoil pad had a cut where the grinding wheel touched it and it wasn't even bedded! No cross bolt, no action bedding....nothing. And after a 12 year wait he had the hide to try to charge me for freight, he did tell me that we was letting me have the gun case I wanted it sent up in at cost price . I rang him and told him I wasn't happy and why, he said send it back and he'll fix it. I said no I want a full refund. At first he said that, that wouldn't happen but I told him I was ringing NSW Fair Trading and a Firearms lawyer. After a bit of pause he agreed to a full refund.

Just to get my ducks in a row I took to to a local smith and we quickly discover issues with closing the bolt. I bought some 416 woodleighs to make up some dummy rounds and the bolt traveled over the rounds closing on an empty chamber. Then when it picked up a round and chambered it, I pulled the trigger to find I had to use two hands to open the bolt (this is a cock on closing action). This happened even with an empty chamber. Anyway so I finally open the bolt and pull it back and the dummy round had been left in the chamber .

I dropped the rifle back myself as I had to come to NSW for a course and things were a bit strained when I handed over the rifle. I did get my money back without drama.

We'll gents thanks for letting me vent I feel better now.

So terribly sorry to hear this bakes.

I hope you remedy the situation by getting really nice rifle.

Glad you got your money back.

Wow - can you PM me the smiths name please Bakes.

Shit mate. That's bloody ordinary.
So what you getting next?.

Geez, Bakes. That sucks, mate.

Perhaps we all need to know who this character is ?
I'd be extra pissed after waiting that long.

Matt and Ridgeman, the smiths name is Bob Taylor down in Lithgow. I used him as I know the bloke, have had a beer with him and he has done another rifle for me, a 22-250AI that I'm happy with. He dropped the ball with this one. The 12 year wait was long but for a fair few years I had stuff going on with me and the rifle was put out of my mind for awhile. I started the rifle in 2002 and paid it off in 2004. I did this as Bob emailed me requesting some more payments, so thinking it was progressing I made the payments. Saeed originally invited me to Africa in 09 and I was told that the rifle would be good to go, unfortunately I had to pull out of the trip for work reasons but I didn't tell Bob that thinking I would get my rifle. We'll what followed was lots of calls and emails that went unanswered until I would say that I want the rifle or a refund, then I'd get an email or a call with some story. Bob had eye problems (probably explains the shit checkering)Bob ran over his toe with a mower, Bob's Dad is going into a home. No worries I gave him the benefit of the doubt as I said because I know him and his work and I'm probably to nice. The rifle was supposed to be ready before the safari in 2013 but wasn't (again I didn't tell him I wasn't taking it) It was supposed to be ready after I came back, then before Christmas, then he went away for New Years and I told him he had until the 21 Jan this year to have it done or I will demand a refund. We'll I got it in time but it looked like it was put together in two weeks. I forgot to add, in 2009 I called into his shop unannounced on my way to a course and all that was done was some action work. I'm kicking myself now that I was too nice. BUT I'm going to spend the money on my little 8mm Mauser project.

Hell Bakes, I felt sorry for myself because I took my chain saw back to be re-repaired and the bloke took 15 months to fix it.

I suppose you've seen that report called 'Rifle Lessons learned from the Zimbabwe Professional Hunter Profiency Exam'. It came from:

http://www.african-hunter.com/lessons_learned.com.htm
but I'm not sure it's there any more.

Anyway, among other stuff it warned people against custom rifles for DG, even built on Mauser actions, claiming they hardly ever get cartridge feed right. It also took a dim view of most rifles out of the US and the only currently available rifle it did like came from CZ.

No haven't read that mate but I'll check it out.

That sucks Bakes. Thought it may have been old mate from Narrandera. He was about as reliable.

The "Rifle Lessons Learned" report can be found on http://www.africahunting.com/f...roficiency-exam.html

I well remember the article when it first appeared. I responded to it with a rather lengthy response. I personally question it's accuracy now as I did then. That there was a 'slight' anti-American bias might go a ways toward explaining it. Since that article I have taken to reading anything by Mr. Heath with a few grains of salt and being afflicted with kidney disease that presents a problem as I am on a salt restricted diet.

People that bad mouth one brand of rifle versus another tend to be copy cats and know nothing about either brand.

I have never stooped to hunting with a professional hunter. However I have considerable experience with the rifles that get trashed by the so called experts in Africa. I also have considerable experience with chartered fishing trips. The charter captains have a mile long list of excuses. They can never take responsibility for imitating a U boat driver.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:
Wow - can you PM me the smiths name please Bakes.

Sorry,he aint a `smith

What was the finished price Bakes?

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
People that bad mouth one brand of rifle versus another tend to be copy cats and know nothing about either brand.

I have never stooped to hunting with a professional hunter. However I have considerable experience with the rifles that get trashed by the so called experts in Africa. I also have considerable experience with chartered fishing trips. The charter captains have a mile long list of excuses. They can never take responsibility for imitating a U boat driver.

You don't like anybody do you?

Bakes,

Sounds like you have entered the custom gunsmithing world shared by myself and GG. You have managed to "better" my experience with a gun build that latest only 7 years with the rifle finally arriving and not feeding a round. The action and barrel were also a different colour? Back it went for some "smithing" to return feeding. Unfortunately when I used it, it knocked rounds out of the mag but didn't pick them up (CRF). Then it started to chip out the stock behind the receiver. Back it went. Next time I used it would not pick up the third round in the mag?? Back it went. Next time I used it, it would pull the discharged case from the chamber and drop it in the receiver. Back it went.

I must admit for what is touted as the "most reliable and safest" action I have had only trouble from a Mauser style CRF action than any other action I have had or currently own. Could be the reason why "Harris" no longer make actions but back in 1995 when it all started I didn't have too many options with a CRF action in left hand. This was long before the internet (for me anyway).

I actually still own the rifle which always "looked" great. It now feeds, operates, extracts and shoots really well. With the invention of cerakote I finally fixed the action/barrel colour problem.

Of course never happy with something that works I am now having it re-barrelled to a 416 Taylor (it started it's life as a 30/06). At least I have now found and use a gunsmith whom I trust, does great work, at a fair price at legendary speed.

It took a long time for me to recover from that build to start another and unfortunately when I did it was plagued with problems and dis-satifaction. I sold that gun before I even received it. (Obviously not the smith I use now).

GG has more tales of woe surrounding custom gun builds than I could ever imagine but he deserves it with the amount of custom guns he has.

Cheers
Stebe

PS - Had lunch with Rebekah the other day. She is good and enjoyed your "Safari" story.

That's interesting Stebe. Though I've African- shortstroked a couple of times, the only real jam I've had was from stupidly bumping the handle of a Mauser 98 forward when the neck-sized round wouldn't feed smoothly. This knocked the cartridge ahead of the extractor and jammed the tight case in the chamber.

My push-feed, factory Sako L61R, on the other hand, has never missed a beat - but they don't seem to have them in Zimbabwe

Sambarman I have no doubt that the Mauser 98 style of action is a very reliable and safe action, it has proven itself over a very long time. It just hasn't been my experience with the 1 that I own. In saying that the one that I own now works flawlessly, it was just a very long process to get it to that point. What I have learned from my limited experience with "Custom" gun builds and from many friends who have been through the process many times, is that they are rarely a trouble free process. Unfortunately they can be so painful that one can get sour on the actual rifle and not really appreciate it that way you wanted to. It has taken me many years to build up a "liking" for my rifle due to the issues it caused me at the time.

I think Bakes has done the right thing by returning it, getting his money back and moving on. He will appreciate a completely new rifle that has not caused him anguish, over time.

If I was standing in front of a charging bull; which gun would I prefer to have in my hands from my small collection........anything but the CZ 22. They are all more reliable than a stick.

G'Day Fella's,

Bakes, I've heard of a few other B.T. average work stories!

In my experience, you need to sit down (and or telephone chat/email) with the person thats building your firearm, and set out a list of things/options that you will be wanting and or expecting (Cross Bolt/s, Epoxy Bedding etc), on any firearm you are having built!

You both have to be on the same page, and agree upon what you are expecting to be delivered to you, otherwise it's going to end in disappointment!!!

Looks like a New CZ .416, might be on the to see list?

Doh!
Homer

Just buy a new CZ. Tony Small modified mine in very short time and I had nil problems. It's now in the NT doing what it was designed for.

Blomfield will do the same in Qld but charge for it.

Shame. I suppose after having done one rifle right, you could expect the same. He really dropped you in it.

I hear he has some nice euro reamers though.

Any .416 needs crossbolts. Shouldn't have to discuss. No rifle should take longer than a couple of years unless that was agreed upon from the start. Any finished rifle should feed reliably. This is a sad, sad story.

Once you come to terms with your so-called Smith, I would hope you would share his name so that none of us encounter the same difficulties.

STEBE...welcome to the forums mate. Bek has told me a lot about you (lots of time on night shift to talk). She's a good egg. I hope to get up and see her this year. Haven't seen GG around here for awhile, tell him to pop in and post some pictures.

Homer, I have seen some good work by Bob back in the day but yeah he drop the ball on this one. I did discuss with him everything I wanted, sights, stock etc. I sent him photos of the kind of rifle I was after, nothing fancy just a nice usable rifle. As Lavaca said, it's pretty standard to put a cross bolt in and bed the action. Alan Swan here in QLD put two cross bolts as a matter of course on heavy recoiling calibre. I think that's me done for custom work, I'll use the money to fix up my little 8 mm up. RonE kindly sent me an old barrel that I had put on so I will see how it shoots and go from there.

Bakes, sad to hear. Bloody good calibre you are missing out on. If you get the urge again I would suggest, as others have, go for the CZ550.

Bakes,
I feel for you mate. You might contact Roger Vardy for some references. He has been very good for me.

I just got the photos of my 416 Rigby.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...1019521/m/2311038791
Just lucky to have a great group of artisans working on it for me.

Now that is very nice Butch. I'll post some photos of mine when I get home next week and compare the difference.

quote:

Originally posted by Bakes:

Homer, I have seen some good work by Bob back in the day but yeah he drop the ball on this one. I did discuss with him everything I wanted, sights, stock etc. I sent him photos of the kind of rifle I was after, nothing fancy just a nice usable rifle. As Lavaca said, it's pretty standard to put a cross bolt in and bed the action. Alan Swan here in QLD put two cross bolts as a matter of course on heavy recoiling calibre. I think that's me done for custom work, I'll use the money to fix up my little 8 mm up. RonE kindly sent me an old barrel that I had put on so I will see how it shoots and go from there.

G'Day Fella's,

Bakes, given the above correspondence, thats even worse!
Sorry to hear about that and I now better understand your disappointment!!!

Regards
Homer

Thanks Bakes. I think GG is a bit like me....an intermittent user. I don't have much of any benefit to add to most discussions, I just learn from what others have to say, mostly.

Work so often gets in the way of life!

I shall try to stir him up but he gets lazier the older he gets

Tony:
What a shame, I feel bad about the result and having to force the refund out of the guy. Sounds like he's a has been.

Our best local gunsmith has just retired. He refused to finish the .358U/m he'd started before I got sick. Took months to find where my "helper' buried it. By then I'd bought another action and barrel, ordered stock blanks too. had to send everything I could back for a refund. Blanks are sitting here sorry wood I'd never use unless it was going to be a paint job of some kind.

Jack finished a rebarreling of my Sako .222mag in the three weeks it took me to finish the roughed out stock. Total cost of the gun, stock, barrel blank, his work and a new glass was just over $430.

I took the 358 project to Kevin Weaver. Since I'm having this health war as you know about. I won't need the rifle maybe not this yr. He said it would be finished along with some work on two others I wanted done, All of it in July. I have no clue what the cost is going to be. I 'gave him" Dad's 1961 M70 "'06 toward the bill. I'm hoping that will cover it or come close. Will just have to wait n see.
That includes a Timney and Conetrols at his mark up. I have full confidence in the mans work and have seen much of it. You can check him out at: www.weaverrifles.com

Wish you well with the new gun work.
Be a month (today?) 6rh since the new shoulder was put in. Am doing ok with it, now the other one is acting up again. Can't win mate.

George

Finally home after two wonderful weeks in Wagga Wagga . Here are some photo's of my ill fated rifle.



This one is of a line in the bluing

That's mighty poor workmanship Tony.
Don't blame you a bit for kicking it back.

Fine action though, those old '17 Enfield's are my favorites due to the safety. Fool proof imo.

This is what my .358U/M is being built on too. I also have an '06 and .300Win/m on the same actions. Am thinking maybe I'll have a lighter rifle built on one before long too. Say maybe a 7x57, or .243 to replace the M 700 I have now.

Good luck on the new rifle,
George's

The pad is in a way the worst bit. How could it happen? Why would he not just replace it - unless things were so tight he couldn't find the money to get another one?