When I looked into meloniting, the company couldn't promise me that barrel bands, etc wouldn't come off under the heat of the process. Something to keep in mind.

Thanks guys.

Fantastic rifle and great photos. Dave, would you be willing to describe your lighting setup for us?

quote:

Fantastic rifle and great photos. Dave, would you be willing to describe your lighting setup for us?

X2

i was going to ask DAve this very thing.

I wouldn't blame him if he didn't wish to share his recipe, kind of like asking a chef how he cooks his dishes.

You are right on that, fo sho...

OK guys,
Since literally all of my photography is done on the road,(studio location photography), I've developed a lightweight and portable studio that breaks down to fit in two duffle bags and a couple of small cases. It consists of 16 panels covered with a light reflective fabric that when assembled forms a rectangular light tent measuring 14'deep x 12'wide x 10'high. One end is open where I hang the background material, and the panels on the other end swing out to provide access and form the slit that I shoot through.
The guns are held vertically on polished drill rods each having a structual nylon cone to protect the crown.
I use 4 500watt lights positioned at various places inside the tent and I adjust each independently to reflect the light onto the surface that I want to illuminate.
The camera is in a fixed position and the gun is moved closer or farther away to crop the shot.
I use long exposures 4-6 seconds and small f-stops f11-f22.
I am an "old school"photographer and DO NOT use photoshop (never learned). The only post processing adjustments that I make are to tweak the density and contrast slightly. Everything else that you see is straight as it came out of the camera.
This system has worked for me for over twenty years and 17,000 photographs. Most of them using a view camera and 4" x 5" sheet film.

Dave wesbrook

Right on, Dave! I went on a rant myself in the "Practical Photography for hunters" forum about how digital cameras and post-processing software take us further from reality, not closer.

Dave-
Thanks very much for sharing that setup with us.

Thanks Dave!

Not using photoshop these days is very rare, but as your work shows, not always necessary.

That is fantastic!

If only it was left handed and I had won the lottery.

Dave and Ralph, beautifully done. The work compliments one another perfectly.

Shane

Judging from the comments about price on the .338-06 thread,I wonder what some people would say if they knew the cost of this rifle.

David L Wesbrook

quote:

Originally posted by dave wesbrook:
Judging from the comments about price on the .338-06 thread,I wonder what some people would say if they knew the cost of this rifle.

David L Wesbrook

The stock on this rifle is unquestionably better than the stock on the other rifle. It has received more extensive action work, barrel work, and accessory metalwork as well. Wow, look at that butt plate! Regarding the engraving, it is extensive and superbly done. I am not a big fan of heavy engraving on bolt rifles but I am impressed with this. Cost? I would expect the engraving alone on this rifle to exceed the cost you quoted for the .338-06.

I don't remember seeing a stock shaped like this in front of the cheek piece. Is that for a better grip?

and I suppose a tooled saddle scabbard goes with it, correct?

Is there any chance that pics of this rifle could get posted again? I missed it the first go around? Thanks
Matt

Try here:
http://www.martinigunmakers.com/actions.htm

Unfortunately, the photos won't show for me. However, knowing all the artisans involved, I'm sure it is spectacular.

quote:

Originally posted by heavenknows:
Try here:
http://www.martinigunmakers.com/actions.htm

One can see the barrelled action on Ralph's sight, but not the completed rifle. The rifle in question is called the "Frank Brownell Rifle", and it is chambered in 275 Rigby. Ralph has pics of a similar lightweight G33/40 rifle in 6.5x55 called "The Shauz Rifle". While it is quite spectacular, I really want to see the Brownell, as Mr. Westbrook described the stock blank as being the finest piece of wood that he has ever owned. Thanks
Matt

Looking at the Martini website it seems as though Mr. Martini is incredibly prolific.

Baxter,

Thank you for getting those pics backup! Just amazing!!!!
Matt

I have to say that I greatly admire Dave's photographic skills. Old School ability, not soft ware enhancement.

Congrats of some fine pictures...

Rich

Dave,

I'm happy to see that you have not succumbed to the modern trend of Prince of Wales pistol grips on rifles. From 50 years of competitive shooting, expending more ammunition in a year than most hunters do in a lifetime, I am convinced that the tight radius grip is the only way to go, irrespective of shooting position.

I don't even like the POW grip on a shotgun. I have a Merkel 201 so equipped and have never gotten used to it.

quote:

Originally posted by xausa:
Dave,

I'm happy to see that you have not succumbed to the modern trend of Prince of Wales pistol grips on rifles. From 50 years of competitive shooting, expending more ammunition in a year than most hunters do in a lifetime, I am convinced that the tight radius grip is the only way to go, irrespective of shooting position.

I don't even like the POW grip on a shotgun. I have a Merkel 201 so equipped and have never gotten used to it.

Dave's grip looks pretty open, to me, but I love it!
Matt

This is a winner! Very nice and the transition from the cheek piece to the stock is a very nice touch.

quote:

I'm happy to see that you have not succumbed to the modern trend of Prince of Wales pistol grips on rifles. From 50 years of competitive shooting, expending more ammunition in a year than most hunters do in a lifetime, I am convinced that the tight radius grip is the only way to go, irrespective of shooting position.

I agree 100%. I do not like the wide open grips. I find the geometry of how I'm built and how I hold the rifle dictates a more closed or tight radius grip as you mention. hey require less effort to hold 'cleanly' in my opinion. Dave's grip here looks comfy to me.

not me!

Duane,
I use Charmin.
We both know that the longer grip on big bores helps keep ones knuckles from getting hit as badly during recoil. However to get the best alignment of the shooter's forearm ,wrist and trigger finger the shooter MUST hold his elbow even with or higher than his shoulder.

I hold my elbow about 45 degrees below my shoulder and a shorter grip feels better to me.

Dave

Dave,

A few questions regarding the bottom metal:

1) Who made it?
2) How has it been modified? (.i.e. Has the depth been reduced, and if so , by how much?
Thanks

Very nice.It would be difficult to top that engraving.

Beautiful rifle!!.

Somehow the Mauser98 action is the only action that can be at two places at one time. It can be an action on truckgun or an action on a 20K gun. But regardsless which way it goes it belongs there.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Very nice.It would be difficult to top that engraving.

I agree. Everything about that rifle would be difficult to top!

Matt,
Sunny Hill bottom metal.

I did reduce the depth until it looked and felt right to me.( No numbers as you can get into trouble very easily.)

Dave

Thanks Dave! You got it just right indeed!

quote:

Originally posted by dave wesbrook:
We both know that the longer grip on big bores helps keep ones knuckles from getting hit as badly during recoil. However to get the best alignment of the shooter's forearm ,wrist and trigger finger the shooter MUST hold his elbow even with or higher than his shoulder.

I hold my elbow about 45 degrees below my shoulder and a shorter grip feels better to me.

Dave

When I was training for the Far Eastern Divisional Matches as part of the 3rd Marine Division rifle team, our instructer used to have us assume the standing position with our elbows as high above our shoulders as we could achieve, and then had us remove our left hands from the stocks of our NM M1's. We were then required to remain in that position, supporting the rifle entirely with the right hand, for one minute.

I have never used anything like that exaggerated a position since, but on the rifle range, my normal position has my elbbow pretty much straight out.

In the field, however, particularly when assuming a hasty position, my arm and shoulder are pretty much in the same position I use shooting International Skeet, that is, as you say, with the arm at about a 45 degree angle down from the shoulder.

I spply pressure on the trigger using only the tip of my finger, and I suppose as a consequence have never experienced bruising from the trigger guard of a heavily recoiling rifle. This is true, despite the fact that my go-to dangerous game rifle in Africa weighs only 8 3/4 pounds and shoots a 570 grain bullet at 2150 fps, the same as a .500 NE. This creates pretty significant recoil.

This is one of the finest, if not the finest, rifles I have ever seen pictures of!

Great work Dave and company and thanks again for the book.

Shane

Ralph has another G33/40 on his website that is very similar. The barrelled action may be identicle, other than the lack of Gold and Extra engraving. The entire thing is blued, as well. I love the looks of both rifles, and can't really choose a favorite. If the Brownell rifle were fully blued, It might pull ahead as my favorite. It is the Shautz rifle halfway down the page:

-http://www.martinigunmakers.com/actions.htm-

I also wonder about nitriding on carbon steel actions. I have had chromoly actions nitridied with good results but have been reluctant to do it on a 98 as I thought the temp was too high. If I'm wrong, I'm happy to be told so I'll know better. Regards, Bill.

Apart from asking for enlightenment, I meant to add; that is a very nice looking rifle. Regards, Bill.

btt