Ralph's work always looks impressive, but the real beauty is that they handle every bit as well as they look.
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master guide FAA Master pilot NRA Benefactor www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com
Posts: 4224 | Location: Bristol Bay | Registered: 24 April 2004
Ralf is a nice guy and builds a damn nice rifle... and that is a classic example!
On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling
Not familiar with the action can you provide details? Absolutely beautiful rifle by the way.
Paul Smith SCI Life Member NRA Life Member DSC Member Life Member of the "I Can't Wait to Get Back to Africa" Club DRSS I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery I strongly recommend avoidance of "The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd." and "Pisces Sportfishing-Cabo San Lucas"
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Posts: 2545 | Location: The 'Ham | Registered: 25 May 2007
The action was made by Vektor of South Africa.Ralf Martini supplied it for the project.It was a double square bridge action but Ralf grinded the bridge on the front receiver ring off.The trigger mechanism was also made by Vektor but the trigger lever was replaced with a Mauser lever because it would not position right in the trigger guard.The action feeds all bullets-even the Barnes banded flat nose solids.The one piece trigger guard and magazine assembly or bottom metal was supplied by a friend of Ralfs from Europe.The safety is the actions original safety and there was work done on it so it(the flag) is not too loose.The serial number on the action is personalized since it did not have one originally.
Posts: 11651 | Location: Montreal | Registered: 07 November 2002
Originally posted by custombolt: shootaway. How long was your wait for this one? Mandy said 3 years right now. Ray
Ray,I cannot remember when I gave the OK. Ralf had worked on a CZ for me a year before starting this project and I was impressed with the job.It was either 2008 or 2009 and I got the rifle in 2012.I gave no money down and was thinking of using a CZ action.I was very patient with it and was glad it was not built right away because I did not know exactly what I wanted. I started this project thinking I might not get the Satterlee action I ordered a year or so before and did not want 3 years to go by without a rifle in the making.The Satterlee is now with Ralf and he told me recently he will start on it early next year.The rifle will be a lott and similar to the one pictured here. It was a pleasure dealing with Ralf and also educational for me-all those conversations and emails.The time building the rifle was enjoyable.It is a good feeling for me to see these pics after all that time and to be very pleased with the outcome-especially after a couple of cold beers!
Posts: 11651 | Location: Montreal | Registered: 07 November 2002
Sure is nice. I wish I had the patience to wait that long. I just sent a build request to someone Ralf recommended that might be able to produce what I want under 1 year. We'll see.
Life itself is a gift. Live it up if you can.
Posts: 5300 | Location: Near Hershey PA | Registered: 12 October 2012
It really turned out awesome George. Ralf's work is always special. I am glad you posted the pictures. I got to handle it at Ralph's shop a couple times while it was in the white and before the engraving etc. The stock fit me very well too.
Posts: 7123 | Location: The Rock (southern V.I.) | Registered: 27 February 2001
That rifle is so pretty a fella should seldom put it down. Ralf is building a falling block 223 for me. Will be the first of his rifles in my bunch but most likely not the last. Better tomorrows,
You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family.
Posts: 1529 | Location: Texas | Registered: 15 December 2003
Shootaway that is a mighty fine rifle in all respects and I'm sure you will be putting many a shot downrange with it, hopefully on a few animals too. I like that you have obviously had it set up for open sights only and they a very nice sights I must say. Any reason why not taking off the rear square bridge as you have had done to the receiver? That would really have completed that nice rounded lines of Mauser action in my eyes but then we do all see things differently.
That is a real treasure though and you are justly proud.
Posts: 3943 | Location: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Zealand | Registered: 03 August 2009
Originally posted by eagle27: Shootaway that is a mighty fine rifle in all respects and I'm sure you will be putting many a shot downrange with it, hopefully on a few animals too. I like that you have obviously had it set up for open sights only and they a very nice sights I must say. Any reason why not taking off the rear square bridge as you have had done to the receiver? That would really have completed that nice rounded lines of Mauser action in my eyes but then we do all see things differently.
That is a real treasure though and you are justly proud.
eagle27,I guess you could grind both off but it is long and hard work and I wanted the rifle to look like the traditional rifles that I seen.I am not sure about the bridge in the rear of the receiver.Ralf did not mention anything about grinding that one off.
Posts: 11651 | Location: Montreal | Registered: 07 November 2002