Our gun finally found its way to the engraver two weeks ago!!!!! FINALLY, we are in the home stretch for this monster to get finished!

I spoke with the engraver, Mark Swanson, and sent him a nice big check early last week. He started cutting the gun this week. He thinks he'll get it back to Butch in about two or three months.

At that point, Butch only has to regulate it, blu it and finish it. Then, it is OURS!!!!!

For a quick summary to anyone who is interested, here are some photos of the gun's progress. But first, here is Butch and I with the .577 in the white at DSC:



Here is the wood blank that the stock and fore end was cut from:



Here are some pictures of the stock as it was getting fitted to the action and barrels:











And last, but not least, here is the future owner of the rifle:



Some specifics about our .577 (can you tell we are just a little excited?):

.577 NE 3" regulated for 750 Woodleigh bullets
Boxlock with faux sideplates
Upgraded wood
Extended trigger guard
Trap grip cap
Stock Medallion with "PPE" engraved on it
Cape Buffalo on one side
Rhino on the other side
Elephant on the bottom of receiver
English scroll and rose accents
One fixed and one folding sights
25" barrels
Leather recoil pad

I've been stocking up on Woodleigh bullets in both 750 and 650 grains and have been searching for additional BELL brass cases.

As additional updates become available, I'll be sure to post.

Also, when we finally take possession we'll be heading to the range and inviting anyone to come along who wants to see that dog bark.

NICE!!!

very nice!!! i know y'all are about to go crazy with anticipation......

What is the targeted gun weight?

Butch originally gave us an estimate around 14.5 lbs.

At DSC, he estimated 14 lbs.

Depending on how much metal the engraver takes out, it may weigh in somewhere between 13.75 and 14 lbs.

That is a beautiful piece of work.

When I saw this post, I was expecting to see it in your hands....I am sure it will be an exceptional DR!

Is the engraver sending you pics as he goes along???

Jim:

The engraver is "old school" and doesn't even have a computer, let a lone email or the internet.

I'm going to send him a disposable camera so he can document the engraving.

Then I'll try to post them on here.

Hey, don't they have disposable digital cameras these days?

That young man looks really great in that hat!

Nice looking dad and rifle too!

Thanks Rusty!

Now, if only we could get Onyx to make children sized hats with the AR and DRSS logos on them, he's be the DRSS' honorary mascot!

That is a dream rifle!!

Handsome little huntin' buddy too.

What a thing to possess. What a thing to be able to hand down. May it be in your family a thousand years or more. And, may there be BIG FIVE BEASTS to hunt for JUST AS LONG.

Very Nice. Doesn't seem to have the extended trigger guard you mentioned though.

quote:

Doesn't seem to have the extended trigger guard you mentioned though.

Butch took those pictures before it was installed. The extended trigger guard will be on the finished gun.

Ok, here are some pics from the engraver. He has finished with the scroll work and is now starting on the three animals.









NOT TOO MUCH LONGER NOW!!!!!

Paul,

A few words come to mind like...Fantasic, Amazing, Wonderful, and you lucky dog!!!

Looking forward to seeing more when Butch progesses and when you recieve this DR!!!! You guys must be pretty happy at this point

Jim:

Yeah, I opened my email tonight and found these in my inbox. These photos are smaller than the ones I opened - the larger files show so much detail.

Thanks for your kind words. We are so excited at this point! What I saw in the photos is better than I expected!

I will update everyone else as new stuff comes our way.

Excellent looking rifle. Any plans to take a few ele's with it?

Jim, Cory,
This is better than Paul and I had imagined! Butch had originally had us using one of the engravers that he used many times in the past, but he felt that what we wanted, he couldn't accommidate us! Butch put us in touch with Mark Swanson, and boy are we glad he did! I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled we are with what has been done!

Out standing looking rifle I think I hate you
its people like you that get people like me into debt-- I want one I want one

Ugliest damn gun I've ever seen....



OK, I'm just kidding! It's really amazing and I think I am as jealous as RMOO7!



Best,

John

Hi 577,

Incredible rifle. Congratulations.

Is the "base rifle" for this a "Deluxe" model or is this a custom version of his 577 Boxlock?

Beautiful work! My Searcy is the pride of my gun collection. I know you will feel the same way with yours.

Don:

This is a delux boxlock with a number of upgrades.

All,
Thanks to all for the kind words! Butch's 577 boxlock is the base for what you see here. We upgraded the wood, added the faux sideplates, extended trigger guard, leather recoil pad, and custom engraving.
Future plans are to take this baby to Africa, but as of yet, no plans are made!

This is like waiting for the birth of your first child! Of course the ultra-sound is better quality!

Congratulations Guys!

Hopefully I get to shoot that work of art...Before Africa...But to tell the truth any time to shoot that ultimate boomer will be fine by me...Doc and Paul looking forward to our next range day...
Love the pic of the young hunter....

Mike

quote:

All,
Thanks to all for the kind words! Butch's 577 boxlock is the base for what you see here. We upgraded the wood, added the faux sideplates, extended trigger guard, leather recoil pad, and custom engraving.
Future plans are to take this baby to Africa, but as of yet, no plans are made!

Doc52

I see Alzheimer is setting in....there goes my old man forgetting some of the other stuff we did with the rifle. Pop, did we get the trap grip cap? YES! Did we get the Stock Medallion? YES!

You see guys, they say the apple doesn't fall from the tree...well in my case, this tree was planted on the side of the hill and when I fell off, I rolled down the hill.

I still love him to death and ain't ready to put him out to pasture yet. When the .577 does arrive, I may change my mind so I can shoot it more.

Dang, Paul!
It's a thing of beauty and a joy to behold!
Only words that come to my mind are, "Oh, WOW!"

Congratulations, once again!

Outstanding!

Doug

gorgeous rifle!!! congrats!!!!

Lookin good! Nice to see the rifles after they leave the shop.

.577 NE,

That's a beauty and I know what I'm talking about because as you know I had one and have one on the way. I must say yours is shaping up better than the one I sold. Great gun, can't wait to see it done.

Maineguide

577,

Simply Stunning!

That is one fine piece of walnut.

Hugh

Awesome. Has to be some of the best engraving I have ever seen.

A very fine looking rifle. It will be something that your family treasures.

Shooting it will make an even greater impression on a person than viewing it does.

Thanks, guy.

Jim, if you are still making it to the DRSS hunt in August, it should make it's first public appearance there!

Dude! Pop!

What's with the avatar pictures?????

Are we going to have to be careful at the DRSS hunt this August?

Another photo from the engraver!

Man, that rifle needs to be used hard on an Elephant.
Maybe somewhere in Zimbabwe?
A few places that come to mind are Matetsi area, Chirisa or Dande.
Will be great.

ozhunter