Anybody know of a gunsmith experienced in working with big bore lever actions in western Canada?
Do you know of any Canadian barrelmakers making 50 cal. (.510-.512) barrels?

Thank you,

Vasa

I would try Ed Sikula out of Nelson, B.C at (250) 229 - 4986.

The last I heard, Ed, who is an old friend of mine since back in the late '50s is pushing 75 and does not want to do any 'smithing anymore.

For B.C. 'smiths, go to Ralf Martini in Cranbrook, my buddy and hunting partner is currently having him build a 9.3x64 on a Brno ZG-47 action he received from me and Ralf does a fine job from the guns I have seen. I don't know him personally, but, he told my buddy that he would like to come Sheep hunting with us this year, so, I may get to know him.

Other good smiths whose work I have seen and would recommend are Bill Leeper, who posts here every so often and Joe Dlask of Delta, mostly pistols and "black' guns. Stewart Newby for shotguns, especially British ones and there are various others, including Mick McFee of Kamloops, Barry Jensen of www.bitsofpieces.com and so forth. For repair work on almost anything, I prefer Reliable Gun in Vancouver, phone 604-874-4710.

Koots,

A friend of mine had lunch with Ed yesterday, and even though he's had heart trouble as of late, he's still willing to do some work. You're dead on about Martini - he's very good indeed.

Matt B and kutenay;
Thanks for the info! I know Ralf Martini well, he has built two custom rifles for me and also did a bunch of work customizing a Winchester 1886 Take Down some time back. I used to "help" Ralf out in his shop when he lived up in FSJ. But Ralf can be very busy with his high end custom rifles. I wonder of the names you mentioned if there is a smith that has done some 450 & 50 Alaskan and 50-110 coversions on Browning /Winchester 1886s and 71s? I will be having a project coming up. Do you have Bill Leeper's tel. number? Did you try Dave Jennings?

kutenay, saw on another posting that you were getting into sheep hunting? You must know of some GOOD bighorn habitat?? I know where there is good stone sheep!
Thanks,

Vasa

I have been on three Sheep hunts, solo backpacks for two and a packin for the other. I spent much of my life living, solo, in the mountains and, yes, I know where "pockets" of excellent country is for all B.C. game species.

If, Ralf M. goes with us, it, would be for Califs or Stones on a fly-in; I will not take anyone except one friend/hunting partner to a couple of other spots I know of as people like to talk too much. Anyway, these are places where an old fart like me finds it very difficult to climb to the Sheep, but, I am training now in the Lynn Headwaters Park in N.Van to be in shape next season.

I honestly don't know on the conversions as I use two customized .45-70 leverguns for shortrange bigbore stuff and don't bother with conversions, wildcats or anything like that. I am using 400 SAFs over 54-H-322 in my repro 1886 SRC and 400 Kodiaks over 47.5-H-4198 in my old '70s vintage Marlin 1895; these loads kick worse than my P-64 .375 H&H and if they don't stop a bear, he deserves to eat me. The Alaskan rounds will give a bit more, but, at pushing 60, I don't enjoy the harsh recoil.

I would ask Ralf about the conversion as it seems to me he did one for a guy on CGN and that guy in Saskatoon, Jim Dugan also might be a good bet, ask "Ultramag" on CGN for his contact info. You might also check with Bevan King to see if he would/can do it.

Hi Vasa
How are you and the family doing? Send me a pm and let me know how you've been. Good to see you posting again. You could contact Wild West Guns, What your looking for is their specailty.
Take good care,
Dave

How is the work from Corlene's in Dawson Creek?

Try (dhenrygunmakers.com) He is in Bentley Alberta.

Ron Smith of Wimborne Alberta is a barrel maker with a good rep. ph. (403) 631-2405

North of Rocky Mtn. House there is Don's Gunsmithing. I don't have contact info for him at the moment but you can search telephone directory for him.

Have a good one

Robin down under