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Clayton Nelson custom rings and bases?

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14 December 2021, 05:17
bghntr416
Clayton Nelson custom rings and bases?
Anyone familiar with this set up? I have the bases but no rings. The pic of the rings is what I believe they look like. May just have to go with a set of Talley rings and bases...
I posted as possibly by Clayton Nelson as I was told he did the work on the rifle.



14 December 2021, 06:11
eddiel4
I am sure these are Clayton's. You can get the rings from him...


Edward Lundberg
14 December 2021, 06:35
bghntr416
I will see if I can dig up a contact for Clayton. Was not sure he was still doing any work. Thanks
14 December 2021, 18:25
skb
Clayton is retired and now living with one of his children the last I had heard.
14 December 2021, 20:13
bghntr416
Thanks Steve, I was wondering about that. I really did not think he was still operating. I was unable to dig up any contact info for him, certainly nothing to make me think he was still doing any work. Finding rings will be tough.
14 December 2021, 22:32
Jmbrown
Looks like the same as the ones on this rifle of mine that Clayton built except these are milled into the quarter rib. I think it’s the same as the CZ 550 dovetail but I don’t know that for sure and I think these are Alaskan Arms rings on mine.


15 December 2021, 01:25
J Wisner
I may be seeing things, but those rings look a awful like the ones that Tom Burgess rings made.

With regard to the top shape around the 2 clamping screws, and the lever shape, the lock and the adjustment screw on the far side.

Time frame would be right, for when Clayton was working and building guns for him to either copy or buy the rings from Burgess

Just my 2 cents

J Wisner
15 December 2021, 06:13
bghntr416
Another mentioned Tom Burgess as well. A member contacted me and said he knew how to contact Mr. Nelson. He will reach out to him and see if he still has rings. Seems like he may have sourced them from Tom Burgess or copied them. I also spoke with the owner of Alaska Arms. His rings are slightly different but the same principle. His suggestion was to just get a new set of rings and bases for him rather than try to fit a set of his rings to my bases if I couldn't find rings. Not sure if the rings from Clayton have to be fitted either so may be better to just start over.
15 December 2021, 06:25
bghntr416
BTW, that single shot is beautiful. JB
15 December 2021, 09:07
robert lerner
I think I can help you out, I have 5 sets of new" in the white" scope rings & bases I purchased from Clayton afew years back while attending a summer stockmaking class taught by him at Trinidad State jc. At the time he confirmed that they were copies( or based?) on the burgress design. They were not made in house but contracted out although he did not say by whom. PM me if you wish and we can discuss Robert
15 December 2021, 16:48
Jmbrown
Thanks! It’s become one of my favorite rifles anymore. If you need any pictures of the rings that are on it or anything to reference to just let me know.
15 December 2021, 19:09
Phil McFall
Why am I getting this broken link instead of the picture????

Clayton did the metal work on this rifle for me in the 80's. These bases may be modified Leupolds.
Phil
15 December 2021, 21:22
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)
Just installed a set of known Burgess...I say they are Burgess
16 December 2021, 02:53
Scrollcutter
Ditto that Duane. I've worked on a number of those rings over the years. The rings I've worked from Burgess looked exactly like the posted photos...minus the screws. All I worked on were flathead, slotted. Well made copies...dunno!


Roger Kehr
Kehr Engraving Company
(360)456-0831
16 December 2021, 08:16
Phil McFall


Finally got the picture to post. As I said earlier, Clayton did the metal work on this rifle for me in the 80's while he lived in Enid. Although not the same as the bases and rings being discussed, a nice example of his work.
Phil
16 December 2021, 23:49
bghntr416
Thanks to everyone that has chipped in. I believe I have it figured out. Will post some pics soon. Phil, I have seen the same type of base with the rear site attached on several other rifles in the past. Is this is not a quick detach system? I have always been curious. Looks like a work of art. Who did the stock work?
17 December 2021, 00:44
Phil McFall
Not a quick detach, but has in internal set screw on one of the screws in the rear base so that once set you can take the scope off and return it to zero.

I did the stock out of a piece of Bastogne I got from Clayton. Susan Rudnicky did the checkering for me. Obviously not the quality of stock work Clayton would have done, but didn't have the money for that. After it was all done, I took it West and shot a nice 7x7 with it, brought it home to the safe and now only shoot it at the range from time to time.


He also put a nice front sight on.


18 December 2021, 20:19
bghntr416
Very nice! Stock looks great to me!