Hearing that phrase is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. C'mon folks, what are you doing to your equipment? Very little can happen to a gun which cannot be made "right" again, with a broken stock being a possible exception. I think most custom gunsmiths hope their guns will be used...but they also hope they will be taken care of.

quote:

Originally posted by squeezenhope:
I think most custom gunsmiths hope their guns will be used...but they also hope they will be taken care of.

Absolutely

I wouldn't have them built if I didn't expect to hunt with them! I am heading to the brush country of south Texas next week and will have one of Jame's rifles, a .300 H&H and one of Duane's rifles, a 30-06 in tow.

And I just got back from the Selous where I carried a Wiebe .375... it accounted for 3 buffalo and a wildebeest. It was a joy to carry. Interestingly, my PH carried a Wiebe .460 Weatherby!

The more I hunt, the more I appreciate guns that have a little character to them. Several of the rifles I have used quite a bit in Africa, a Wiebe .404 Jeffery and my Holland .500/.465, show considerable bluing wear as well as some stock bumps and bruises. That's hard earned patina that tells a story to me.

Headed to south Texas next week as well and a Dale Goens .280 Remington will be riding along. Hard to make memories with a rifle if it just sits in a safe or on a rack.

quote:

MJines
posted 27 November 2021 09:35
The more I hunt, the more I appreciate guns that have a little character to them. Several of the rifles I have used quite a bit in Africa, a Wiebe .404 Jeffery and my Holland .500/.465, show considerable bluing wear as well as some stock bumps and bruises. That's hard earned patina that tells a story to me.

Headed to south Texas next week as well and a Dale Goens .280 Remington will be riding along. Hard to make memories with a rifle if it just sits in a safe or on a rack.

I want to use and hunt the rifles I have and I purposely keep that number low, giving me the enjoyment of using each and any of those rifles within suitable opportunities. It's funny but over time a rifle, an inanimate object, does develop character, sort of becoming part of or an extension of yourself but has to be used and hunted for that to happen. Maybe the proper word for that is just "familiarisation" but whatever the case the actual bond of hunter and rifle is there in "dyed in the wool" hunters. I've seen it.
I believe that applies also to MJines. In video I've seen him exhibiting some excellent shooting using his 404 Jeffery on Buff. Using his rifle as the rifle should be used.

the .416 Taylor that Tip Burns built for me gets carried quite a bit.... while it may never go to africa, or me either, for that matter, it has accounted for several south Texas Nilgai, several Texas Hill Country Axis.. and a couple of west Texas whitetails.... metal was parkerized by Tip, laminate stock was checkered by Valicek, Shilen barrel, Necg sights, Zeiss glass Winchester crossbolts... it carries easy, shoots great with either cast or jacketed bullets... and has several scars from being carried...

Howard Autry said the only thing better than having a rosewood briefcase is being able to beat one around without having to worry about it.

quote:

I think most custom gunsmiths hope their guns will be used...but they also hope they will be taken care of.

Years ago I had Cecil Fredi build me a custom 270 Winchester stocked in Tiger Myrtle. I subsequently took it hunting to Montana for Whitetail and the stock received a few marks. When I returned I took it over to him and asked him if he could clean it up. He laughed and said: "Hell no, I made that custom rifle for you to hunt with!" End of story.

OK, I'll be the guy who all of you can criticize: I agree the best custom rifles are works of art: I admire the builders and no doubt the rifles are about as perfect as can be. However, as I look at the pictures you post of those rifles, I think of where I hunt with my son on Kodiak Island. First, you fly into the wilderness: if you're in a Super Cub, often the rifle is in a scabbard on a wing strut. Then you're camped close to the ocean and spend days in a wet environment. You might have to cross a creek and always the possibilities that you're going to take a fall. Your pushing thru patches of alders and maybe devils club. It is really hard for me to think that many would take those beautiful rifles thru that type of ordeal. There may be a few, but I think darn few. Just my 2 cents worth.

On Kuiu Island with my .375 H&H I built, it did just fine.



H&H .30 super





I love to hunt with a nice rifle.

Shotguns too.

Devere, I agree that Kodiak and some other places deserve special consideration, but most hunters do not have the opportunity to hunt there, nor do they get to camp via Super Cub. Synthetic stocks certainly have their place as does special metal treatment. I do not hunt ducks with a Fabbri.

I have hunted with many a custom rifle, built my own for years, but as I have aged that has changed a good bit, and I don't mind a truck gun or a saddle gun if it fits me and if its accruate..I don't like plastic and stainless steel however, but I have one of those also for bad, wet, cold. snow weather..

If someone likes beautiful guns, Im all for him having them, hunting with them and I still admire fine walnut and workmanship..I still a few of those..

I never really thought any custom was too nice to hunt with, but I could refinish mine anytime I felt like it was needed..but for everyday use in the pickup or in a saddle scabbard give me beater...

And come to think of it everyone of those nicks and dings on my custom guns,gave me a reason not to refinish it, at my age my memroy needs all the help I can furnish it..and each nick brings to mind a good hunt or a failed hunt, both great memories..thats imporant my friends.

quote:

Originally posted by 30.06king:
It's funny but over time a rifle, an inanimate object, does develop character, sort of becoming part of or an extension of yourself but has to be used and hunted for that to happen. Maybe the proper word for that is just "familiarisation" but whatever the case the actual bond of hunter and rifle is there in "dyed in the wool" hunters. I've seen it.

Great points and exactly the reason I insist on taking my own rifles, regardless of the hassle. That goes for my own ammo as well.

I don't have any nice guns.
but i'll take any of them anywhere you wanna go right now.

except the stainless synthetic 308 Ruger I've had since about 1990.
I never see anything when I take it hunting, and neither does anyone I hunt with..
it's accurate, light enough, and tough.
I don't care if it gets scratched, dropped, kicked or tipped over.
but it is known as the JINX rifle, and is banned in 2 different hunting camps.

other than that one...LOL i'll let you pick, and off we'll go.

I have fine wood and blued rifles that I "carry" on hunts too.
But...

If we all did a little "be honest", it would break your heart if you had to lash it to a pack frame so you can use trekking poles on a 12 day packpack sheep hunt or a high country mule deer hunt when serious climbing with a pack frame is in order. I guess I can afford to abuse a fine rifle like that but I don't and for good reasons known to me. I'll always have the fine rifles for my easier hunts.

Zeke

My own favorite is a 270 (Yup..wood stocked, rust blued ) Used it hard enough to be on second barrel and third scope. hunted about everything from pig to elk. afoot and horseback for over 35 years.

The bluing (or lack thereof) shows off engraving better than when new. The wood has plenty dings and scratches, but the rifle now has CHARACTER that can only come from honest use.

A coat of stock oil after each season, now shows off the wood figure with an almost inner glow.

Use... but not abuse... your fine rifles as you would not abuse fine binoculars, sunglasses or fine hunting boots.

It gets a little easier after I have a few dings in them. Kind of like getting a new truck...
However, there are just some hunts I won't take my best guns on.

You said it for me Duane, Honest use....not abuse.

I own two custom rifles both in .358 STA chamnberings. One from the Winchester Custom Shop and it has that bright red walnut stock that glows in the sunlight common with that Custom Shop. It is Stainless and I have hunted with it in Colorado for Elk for years and it has also been to Africa, Alberta and British Colombia for various game. It has a ding or two and each has a story I can always tell to the grand kids. The second is also in .358 STA and is a post 64 Winchester Model 70 that has a special thumb-hole stock of stripped Walnut that would impress any custom builder. Both rifles will shoot three shots touching at 100 yards when the shooter does his part. I did put an H&S Precision stock on it to hunt with because it killed my knuckles when I fired it. Both have taken several Elk plus other animals with will for me and mine, we don't have and safe Queens.
I also have a factory Number One Ruger with red walnut any expert would marvel at. It is a .416 Rigby that was going to Africa with my son but never made it, hoping to go in the future. That is my contribution to the Custom or just plain gorgeous rifles owned by this senior hunter. Good Shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
My own favorite is a 270 (Yup..wood stocked, rust blued ) Used it hard enough to be on second barrel and third scope. hunted about everything from pig to elk. afoot and horseback for over 35 years.

The bluing (or lack thereof) shows off engraving better than when new. The wood has plenty dings and scratches, but the rifle now has CHARACTER that can only come from honest use.

A coat of stock oil after each season, now shows off the wood figure with an almost inner glow.

Use... but not abuse... your fine rifles as you would not abuse fine binoculars, sunglasses or fine hunting boots.

I’ve always wondered what to use for treatment at the end of the year on wood.

I see them for sale here at half of what they coast to build.

Once in a while

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
I see them for sale here at half of what they coast to build.

Once in a while

You don't want your buddies to think you ran out of money when you bought a custom rifle.

Nobody commissions custom guns to make money, well nobody but the most naive. Use and enjoy. What I get a kick out of is somebody with a gun just barely above a Walmart special, and saying it is too nice to hunt with.

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
I see them for sale here at half of what they coast to build.

Once in a while

You don't want your buddies to think you ran out of money when you bought a custom rifle.

Chuckle chuckle James, My thoughts exactly.

There's a reason why three years after my parents gave me a 65 GT mustang I gave it back and apologized a little. There's a good reason why I've been driving a 2009 Toyota Tacoma base model since it was new and plan to continue to for the foreseeable future.
I am careless, negligent, airheaded, absent minded, ham handed, whatever. I'm not the guy to wear fine clothes or jewelry, drive nice cars or bear fine firearms. I ruin them.

I currently have three did projects in the works, only one is a synthetic stock. The other two will stay in their factory wood with some clean up and I doubt I'll use either much.

I know my limitations.

Is that a 300 H&H Flanged? SKB, where do you get cases?

Built my own in an afternoon.

Couldn’t find a proper stock for it.

Put it in the next best thing I could find.
Part of the magazine sticks out below the stock.

I made a mistake while setting the barrel in the lathe.

Had to slightly chamfer the outside of the barrel where it fits into the action.

Now it is finished it looks like the barrel is loose.

Cannot be any more custom than this.

My own cartridge, rifle, and bullets.

Been hunting with it for years.

This year I made special NO MISS ammo for it.

Worked as designed, not a single miss

I have customs rifles from time to time and I build one now and then. but Ive shot more with a low comb factory pre 64 fwt with a 4X Leupold that I cut the hump off,that the metal resembles stainless steel but its not, and my friends refer to that factory stock as Exhibition drift wood..Its the last gun Id ever sell, it shoots incredibly well with any load to the same POI and groups like a bench rest winner..I prefer that to $3000 walnut as a matter of fact, but to each his own, if you enjoy a fine rifle then good for you, and its free choice to all of us for whatever reason we pick..

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:
There's a reason why three years after my parents gave me a 65 GT mustang I gave it back and apologized a little. There's a good reason why I've been driving a 2009 Toyota Tacoma base model since it was new and plan to continue to for the foreseeable future.
I am careless, negligent, airheaded, absent minded, ham handed, whatever. I'm not the guy to wear fine clothes or jewelry, drive nice cars or bear fine firearms. I ruin them.

I currently have three did projects in the works, only one is a synthetic stock. The other two will stay in their factory wood with some clean up and I doubt I'll use either much.

I know my limitations.

Thats what I'm talking about! Got a 2013 GMC 2500 with dents, dings, scratches and 140K on the odometer... A 308 Win M70 sits the passenger seat and has lots of character. Kills elk and deer fine.

quote:

Originally posted by CZ:

Is that a 300 H&H Flanged? SKB, where do you get cases?

Bertram Brass makes them which I have shot in the past.

I am currently shooting Horneber brass which I had imported a very long time ago. Maybe through Huntington's but I can't say for sure.

A good friend has just taken custodianship of William Evans built 318. It’s well over 100 years old. The canvas covered case is tatty and covered in old luggage labels, the stock has worn checkering, and is a little black from sweat and oil and the bluing on the barrel at the balance point is well worn. Its been well used, but well cared for. And by well used - it’s been carried for many many miles, but there are no obvious scratches or dents etc, but by the look of the rifling it hasn’t had many rounds through it - probably enough to zero it originally, otherwise one per animal shot. Friend absolutely intends to continue to use it. It is open sighted - no scope and never been fitted for one. It will be taken for walks to shoot a good Scottish Stag or three or a summer Roe Buck.

Duane, what stock oil do you use at the end of the season to freshen up your stocks? It seems that everyone has a different idea of what works the best.And oh yea life is to short to hunt with an Ugly Gun!

I like Sea Fin teak oil. It was developed in the Pacific NW for use on wooden boat trim.

Apply , let set up a bit, then wipe off excess across grain with a paper towel. Sweep out checkering with an old toothbrush.

Make it a habit to apply after each hunting season..the wood just gets prettier each time

The first ding is the hardest. After that, they are memories of good outings.

Agreed...I just bought a M-94 Win in 25- 35..Built in 1919. Not a buggered screw everything original...been enjoyed a LOT!

Had a fleeting thought of restoration, but came to my senses and decided to just let my imagination go with the dings and wear and history

I bought a very fine Ruger #1 RSI in 7X57 from a member here about 15 years ago because as he said "It's just too nice to take hunting. I might scratch the stock, etc." It was a fine gift for my youngest son's 18th birthday.

I had a doctor on a huntwith me, he kept his gun in a leather case unloaded, and we,d see a nice buck and by the time he got ready the deer was gone, this happened 4 or 5 times thhe first day, On day two we saw a real nice deer, he was floundering around so I shot it just as it was going over the ridge..The next day he never said a word but he got in the pickup with the gun loaded and ready for bear, I just grinned and so did he..Got a nice buck that morning..

I normally suggest one grabs the barrel and swing it around in the brush, cacti or what ever and just get it over with!!

Ray, years ago I had a client that was a serious hunter and he decided he wanted a new, deluxe Weatherby so looked at it in the store and asked if could look through the scope outside. The salesman obliged and once they got in the parking lot the hunter turned the rifle around, grabbed the barrel and threw it out into the gravel ! Then turned to the salesman, who was nearly in shock, and said " I'll take it".
He showed up in my camp with a brand new Weatherby all scratched up and continued hunting with that rifle for many more years

I tell friends when they buy a new pickup truck to put a couple cinder blocks in the bed and drive around for a bit. It makes the first dent or scratch less painful.