Everyone the wait is over! Chic (Customstox) yesterday afternoon delivered my son, Tyler, and I’s matching rifles. This is a process that was eventually decided upon over five years ago. Many of you will remember the details and heartache caused by Hein etc. that delayed this project.


Particulars of our rifles are as follows.

Dakota actions trued, milled and custom touches by Jim Dubell at Delta Gunshop.
Barrels bored, cut rifled, chambered and contoured by Clearwater Boring & Jim Dubell. 23 inches and chambered in 270 Winchester.
Bases custom built for Talley rings by Jim Dubell.
Stock blanks are Bastogne English Walnut . Chic took the blanks and created an American Classic style with ebony fore end tips, skeleton grip caps and leather covered recoil pads. Checkering is flor-de-lai (sp?) which was Tyler’s choice.
Rust bluing was done by Chic as well.
Scopes will be Leupold 6x's


After five years it was refreshing and gratifying to see Tyler still on pins and needles, counting the days until Thursday rolled around. Yes it took much longer then it needed to; yes the delays and Hein stealing our deposit for the original actions left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. But - these rifles are fantastic and ultimately exactly what we wanted.

We both are thrilled at how well the stocks ended up matching. Originally we agreed to each pick a blank that was our favorite and go with that but in the end we decided we wanted the wood and metal to match so we choose new blanks from Dressels in Yakima WA. Thanks to Chic for taking a day to travel there with me and pour over the hundreds of blanks they have. I am thrilled with how well they match. I don’t think we could expect better results. We are extremely happy with Jim Dubell’s work too. He took a great foundation, trued them up and added his own little touches and then custom contoured and cut rifled the barrels.

This weekend we will get scopes mounted and see how they shoot. I am going to start looking into getting the rifles professionally photographed too. Hopefully I will have better pictures to share soon.

Our next step is to take them hunting. We are planning a hunt in MT for pronghorn this fall.


I will post here a link to my Picasa album for those who are interested. https://picasaweb.google.com/h...7057/MatchedDakotas#

They look fantastic. I know it took awhile but you guys have the rest of your lives to enjoy.

Only negative I see is someone put the bolt on the left side of one of them.

A matched pair, but in mirror image. That's cool!

What a wonderful project and outcome. Congrats and thanks for the pictures.

Congratulations those rifles are simply beautiful. Chic W. does outstanding work.

Great story, great pix. Beautiful rifles.
Thanks for sharing.
Best
GWB

Those are beautiful examples of wood and blued steel!

Simply stunning. Congratulations to all.

Terry

Get them off the plywood! Geeeeeez !!!! :-)

WOW!! They are like jewels.

Outstanding!!!!!

Biebs, I expect that the pro photographer will come out with a better background to give justice to these beautiful works of art.
Stay well, buddy.

Yes, something like red velvet to bring out the red highlights in the wood!

Wow, those are awesome. Great job Howard. Makes me think I should do something for my son like you have done.

Howard,

Those are truly beautiful. I'm sure you and your son are very proud owners.

For photography, I'd suggest contacting Charley Santoni of CS Sports.

http://www.riflestockpainting.com/

He does a little rifle photography on the side.

Alan

Worthing should use them on a poster .That is the most perfect advertising for a Master craftsman I ever saw.

Beautiful rifles and definitely worth waiting for!

Nice. Clean lines.

I applaud the fact:

1. You used a nice decent action

....and....

2. You didn't put iron sights on a .270 Win

Classy. Very classy.

Wow! they came out great. I remember the trials and tribulations of the whole Hein fiasco. It's great to see them finally come together.

Here is one for you Biebs.

Here are a couple of Tyler's first shots.

Howard.

Its amazing how much Tyler has grown since you first started having these rifles made. He sure looks good sitting on that bench with his first custom rifle.

In addition to congratulations on the rifles I think congratulations are due you for being a great Dad. Not so much for buying your kid a custom rifle, but more for taking the time to be a good father. You both are lucky to have each other.

CONGRATULATIONS.

Yes he has grown for sure. WOW. Here he is from 2005.

PS that is Jimmy 223 in the background.

He has done some growing! Those rifles are fantastic.

Terry

Howard, it was well worth the wait,they are both awesome.
Damn,what ya feedin that kid

Does he still pack a pocket full of knives, I think of our time together on that safari and the number of knives in his pocket.

Simply lovely!

Seeing one in the hands of Tyler showed the rifle's true grace and elegance.

Reminds me very much of the work done on the Ottmar rifle by Chick and company. Beautiful craftsmanship!

Congratulations!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by jimmyd264:
Does he still pack a pocket full of knives, I think of our time together on that safari and the number of knives in his pocket.

Most of them have moved to a shelf he hung on his bedroom wall. His eyes still light up at mention of your name. He still talks about Jimmy and the knives you gave him. You created a life time impression upon him in a very positive way.

Here is one for you Jimmy. Do you still have that rifle?

I dunno Howard. I think I could become a switch shooter for both those rifles!

Alan

Howard, that little gun an I parted ways when a fellow Rat hunter offered my double what I had invested, worst deal I ever made, I still regret it.

Oh the memory of that hunt with you,Tyler, your dad and brother, it always puts a smile on my face thinking back.
Tyler impressed me so very much, his gun training/safety,it was pure pleasure sitting next to him. I hate to think what his ammo bill was for that hunt/now that kid could and shoot faster than greased lightin
I still remember him and I walking and he had IIRC a single shot 20ga, hell I never got a walkin shot.

Again Howard congrats to you and Tyler, you waited long enough.

I don't remember ever seeing a left - right pair before. Great idea.

If you shoot together Tyler will have to be to your right or you'll be throwing brass at each other.

I'm glad that the sour grapes of the project didn't make it into the final tasting, this pair is beautiful! I love the left/right pairing idea. I think ultimately it was probably good it took a while, the dimensions of the stock fitted to him today should last him longer than if it'd been fitted to him 3 years ago.

You're a great dad, not because you bought him a fancy rifle, but because you obviously spend a lot of time with him. And I'd hazard that if guns and hunting wasn't his thing you'd still be encouraging and facilitating whatever it is he did enjoy. You are fortunate he loves the same things you do, I wish you both, and both rifles, much success and many years of shared experience.

Red

quote:

Originally posted by jimmyd264:
Howard, that little gun an I parted ways when a fellow Rat hunter offered my double what I had invested, worst deal I ever made, I still regret it.

Oh the memory of that hunt with you,Tyler, your dad and brother, it always puts a smile on my face thinking back.
Tyler impressed me so very much, his gun training/safety,it was pure pleasure sitting next to him. I hate to think what his ammo bill was for that hunt/now that kid could and shoot faster than greased lightin
I still remember him and I walking and he had IIRC a single shot 20ga, hell I never got a walkin shot.

Again Howard congrats to you and Tyler, you waited long enough.

Nice pair of rifles Howard! Btw Jimmy, what was the comment you made to Howard when you first saw him on that rat hunt?

Very nice rifles. Who inherits Dad's rifles? Do you have a righty waiting in the wings?

I remember this from the very first...Glad it worked out. Sweet rifles!!!

Enjoy!!!

Thanks for the comments. Dempsey I have two daughters who shoot right handed...........maybe grand kids some day????

I really wanted your lh .270 till I saw the picture of Tyler at the bench.you are to be commended for setting your young men up for a life time of awesome shooting. Congratss to you!!

Got some professionally taken photos of the rifles recently.

Simply fantastic. Especially to see your sons enjoyment in shooting these fine rifles,congrats!

Beautiful rifles. Since your earlier posts of the rifles, I have started a matched set for my son and I, through the hands of James Anderson. I hope they turn out close to your pair. Again great rifles.