The Verney Carron 450/400 rifle purchased from Kebco is most likely the nicest looking rifle I will ever own. The fit and finish is stunning and the wood is spectacular. But with all the controversy surrounding my choice of loads, not using factory ammo and my ability to shoot said rifle I knew my credibility was at stake if the rifle was returned as Ken offered. It was also unfair for me to complain unless I proved factory ammo would not perform.

Earlier today I met Mike Brooks at our local range where he showed up with a box of Hornady 450/400 DGX ammo. First thing we did was chrono the load and it averaged about 1,975 fps with about 70 fps variation. Then we chrono’ed a load I had used in the past and it averaged 1,980 with only about 20 fps variation.

Mike shot first shooting the left barrel at the left target, and the right barrel at the right target. He shot a total of 6 rounds and the 3 out of the left barrel averaged about 8.5 inches high and the shots were crossing to the right by about 1.5 – 2.5 inches. The right barrel shot about 3.25 to the left and 8 inches high. He pulled one or two shots and we did not include them in the averages.

My turn next and I fired 6 rounds same as Mike, left target first, right target second. The 3 from the left barrel averaged about 3.75 inches to the right and were 9 inches high. The 3 from the left barrel crossed to the right by an average of 1.75 inches and were 9 inches high. If I laid one target on top of the other all 6 shots would of averaged 2.5 inches (minus the crossing). The Hornady ammo shot very close to the first load fired on initial range trip with this rifle which was about 10 inches high and both barrels crossing.

Both of us were sitting at the bench and the only thing touching the rifle was our hands. We both had the same sight pattern and aimed for the bottom of the bull. Mike is right handed, I am a lefty. Mike verified every shot I made and initialed the targets and they are sitting here on my desk. He can also verify there is not a scratch or mark on the rifle.

Conclusion: This one slipped away from the factory not regulated correctly. The test target shows about a 1.25 inch group and written on it was Hornady ammo was used. You do the math, do you think the target was valid?

Ken, for the most part has been helpful and I can understand him being protective about a product he is selling. I do not hold him responsible for this rifle not shooting correctly. He didn’t make it, he sold it. Ken told me the rifle had to be regulated again after being blued and this was why the delivery was delayed to me. So now I am guessing it has to be regulated again. I no longer have any confidence in this rifle and even if it was repaired I would always be wondering about it in the future. I will follow through with Ken’s offer to return it for a full refund and my shipping charges to him. That is a stand up offer. I am not happy with the decision to return it and actually feel pretty sad about this entire situation. Rifles that look like this one do not come along every day and I saved for 2 years to able to buy it. If the factory can fix it someone will end up with a fantastic looking rifle.

PS: Would like to add the barrels are prone to copper fouling. But doubt this affected anything as each individual barrel would shoot good groups.

Thats too bad-what a fine looking rifle, but if it does not shoot,well its a tent stake. I'm glad Kebco took care of the issue.

Ed

The pictures shown on the other thread really don't do justice to the quality and craftmanship of this rifle. It's drop dead beautiful!
Based on the comments of others that have gotten these rifles this one is a fluke that slipped thru the cracks. I'm sure that a re-regulation will make it a fine shooting firearm.
But sadly it did slip thru.
The groups are indeed crossing and high as Snowwolfe stated.
Ken Bush (Kebco) will make it right I'm sure. I've have had only 1 dealing with him and he was fast shipping my items. No complaints from me.

If the gun is otherwise fine, why would you not just arrange to have someone like JJ Perodeau re-regulated it and work out an adjustment with Ken?

Ken made the offer to refund my money and return shipping costs and my answer to him was it would be shipped back Monday morning. Not going back on anything I already agreed to.

I totally get the lack of confidence issue. I bought a double earlier this year that doubled 4 times in a row on me. There is nothing that they could do to ever bring my confidence back. I sent it back.

It is kinda cool to watch honorable men do business. Well played on all sides.

Yikes, very sorry to hear about this. After all you waited, it has to be a huge disappointment. jorge

Being as beautiful as it is, I am very tempted to take it off of Ken's hands for my southpaw daughter.

Might as well transition her from bolts to doubles at the ripe old age of 11!

Dropped off at the Post Office this AM and returned via registered mail. PM sent to Ken with the Registered number.
Same information was emailed to you as well.

Now I need to decide what to do with $1,000 in brass and bullets plus a new Leupold I just ordered for this rifle

Maybe a used Ruger 1 for the time being.

Snowwwolfe:

Sorry to hear about your dilemma, certainly a major disappointment and waste of time. Ken at kebco definitely lived up to his good reputation.

Alas it was a very beautiful rifle, hopefully there will be an even nicer one in your future.

You would not thing that a VC will shoot that bad, I guess there is no such thing as perfect in this life and once a while you come across a bad apple (lemon) in the bunch.

Good luck

Malek

Good hunting/shooting and God's best