You probably haven't seen many Satterlee actioned customs. This 450 Rigby will be pointing at elephants in about 2 months. I've thrown in a close-up of the inletting of the trigger...a little more complicated for the stockmaker, but sure is a sweet trigger indeed. The rear sight treatment (shown in the rough) would have been a piece of cake for a real engraving person, but gave me some headaches.

The depth of the action is generous, but doesn't seem out of place on this rifle. All in all, I'd call Stuart Satterlee's action a "home run".

Owner reports he's launching 500 grainers at 2400 fps. I sighted it in with 2300 fps loads and found recoil in the 10 1/2 lb rifle on the stiff side. Getting old, I guess...

Perfection

Very nice Duane. I like that blank, a nice combination of fancy, but not too fancy.

Can my Heyms be far behind? :-) :-)

Superb work Duane.

If I may I've noticed that you tend not too darken the stock too much with oil of Alkanet, is this a personal preference or a matter of client specification?

I really like the engraving on the rear sight...is that something new?

I also bet those "pictures" don't do that rifle justice.....just a guess!

quote:

Originally posted by Ghubert:
Superb work Duane.

If I may I've noticed that you tend not too darken the stock too much with oil of Alkanet, is this a personal preference or a matter of client specification?

Sharp observation! This particular piece of wood absolutely refused to darken with the alkenet root treatment. Live with the mystery, I guess...

quote:

Originally posted by MHC_TX:
I really like the engraving on the rear sight...is that something new?

I also bet those "pictures" don't do that rifle justice.....just a guess!

No, not a new idea....customer just making me earn my money.

Now that's a real rifle!

Very Nice! And Good Luck with Jumbo!
Now what are you going to do for the Mrs. to match the 7x57?

Many Thanks
HBH

Your inletting is awesome DW.

Congratulation Mike & Duane!

That rifle is a real beauty!

Is that the larger Satterlee magnum action with the .750 diameter bolt?

How does it handle & shoot?

Best Regards,
Dave

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by MHC_TX:
I really like the engraving on the rear sight...is that something new?

I also bet those "pictures" don't do that rifle justice.....just a guess!



No, not a new idea....customer just making me earn my money.

When I used to visit George Hoenig's shop in Idaho ai got a real good look at his rifles and on top of the rib there was a 'pattern' I believe he called it 'florentine-ing" or something like that. I believe it was done with a file but it was not like engraving. Very cool feature and one that would probably work very well on the blade of a rear sight.


What scope mounts are those, swing off? i cant get a fix on the removal.

Beatiful rifle Duane!

By the way, if you need a younger shoulder for sighting-in let me know. Have PAST shoulder pad/will travel!

quote:

I really like the engraving on the rear sight...is that something new?

I also bet those "pictures" don't do that rifle justice.....just a guess!

Ummmm... that is your rifle, right Mike?

And a very nice one to boot...

That scope looks like an eyebrow killer.

Here are a couple of more photo's of the build. I find these as interesting as the final product. Duane did all of the work - including the engraving.



Luxus Blank



Krieger bbl



Satterlee action - 0.7" diameter bolt; started out as a 416 Rigby and Duane reconfigured it for the 450 Rigby

Fer Gods sakes MHC post a pic of that beauty alongside the scholarship 7x57. I'm dying to see them side by side.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe:

The stock blank was only 2.3" thick....Duane said "that was enough".....I really wanted to use this blank, as it had perfect grain flow for a big bore.

Notice in the picture above how Duane offset the inletting to the right, so there would be enough wood on the left side for the cheek piece.

quote:

Originally posted by MHC_TX:
Notice in the picture above how Duane offset the inletting to the right, so there would be enough wood on the left side for the cheek piece.

I believe that is SOP on nearly all builds that incorporate a cheek-piece.

I was ready for a little gun porn..Thanks for the fix...

Is that scope mounted right?

Very nice. I like it!

I always wondered how they did those integral ribs...that is amazing...

Duane's work never fails to impress me, and I've been of the opinion for a while that if buying a new monster action the satterlee is probably the best route. Some gorgeous stuff here. the 450 rigby is very cool, and not near common. Congratulations on a very beautiful rifle.

Red

Nice Work Indeed!

Duane: Questions
Is the rear sight only dovetailed into the quarter rib or is there a lock screw behind the sight I cant see? Is the raised portion behind the sight cosmetic or is there a reason for that? Thanks.

What a really great looking rifle. Just beautiful.

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
Duane: Questions
Is the rear sight only dovetailed into the quarter rib or is there a lock screw behind the sight I cant see? Is the raised portion behind the sight cosmetic or is there a reason for that? Thanks.

There is a second flip-up sight that isn't attached yet in that photo.....it lays flat behind the fixed up-right sight.

If you look at the picture of the rifle sitting on the scales, you can see the second sight installed & laying down (top view of the finished sights).

The rear sight does not have a set screw. For my hotter loads (and eyes) the POI was a little to the left of center. Duane had to send me a special punch to drift the rear sight over. I couldn't do it with a wooden dowel.

Hi Mike,

Fanfastic rifle! Always an admirer of Mr. Wiebe's art.

It's really nice to see all the custom rifles posted here....to all you guy's who have rifles in the works, please post more!

Where you going to take that puppy to hunt Elephant? I really looking forward to hearing of your adventure...

I really need to book another hunt, 2013 is too far away....

Best,

Jim

Three on left are 450 Rigby and the two on the right are 416 Rigby.

The magazine holds 4 down.

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
Duane: Questions
Is the rear sight only dovetailed into the quarter rib or is there a lock screw behind the sight I cant see? Is the raised portion behind the sight cosmetic or is there a reason for that? Thanks.



There is a second flip-up sight that isn't attached yet in that photo.....it lays flat behind the fixed up-right sight.

If you look at the picture of the rifle sitting on the scales, you can see the second sight installed & laying down (top view of the finished sights).

The rear sight does not have a set screw. For my hotter loads (and eyes) the POI was a little to the left of center. Duane had to send me a special punch to drift the rear sight over. I couldn't do it with a wooden dowel.

Thank you for your responce, I didnt see it (the 2nd sight) I was looking at the scale...

Mike and Duane,
Thank you for choosing the Satterlee M-98 action. I appreciate the work.

Duane, you've done a wonderful job with the build, I always enjoy looking at your work, as well as all the guild members works, many excellent craftsmen indeed. When I let it sink in, the talent and man hours is mindblowing.

Duane,
I'm interested in how you cut the rear bridge for the claw mount. please share.

Again, great job.

Stuart Satterlee
AKA/Timan

Stuart: the hole on top is square. I mill out a square as close as possible with 1/8" EM, then broach to get sharp corners.

The lock up in this case was made from 3/16" bar stock, case hardened on working areas.

Your receiver material is very tough..but manageable . (Guess you knew that!)

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
Perfection

Spot on.

Love this build. I have a new 416 satterlee action I have been thinking of having a 450 rigby built on it.

Congrats for a well turned out rifle. Looks great!!!

You are right Roger. It is a very nice rifle.
Butch

I like the way that action looks in the wood.The scope is not high but just perfect.

Did anyone but me notice the inletting? Magnificent, EH!!

Must have opened this thread 2 dozen times!
Love watching these custom rifles come together...

Duane have you ever thought of video taping some of the key steps of your work and putting it up on your website and or
youtube? There is far to few of these sort of clips by master gunbuilders.

I'd love to see your stock finishing process, feeding & tuning work, inletting, barrel work etc....

Sure as hell wish the ACGG would get going on a bunch of videos of this nature!
Think of the positive exposure...!

Best,
Dave

Well...we did a fairly comprehensive series on the Searcy Memorial project here on AR a couple years ago.

ACGG participation?..hmmmmm....

Look up the thread..