Anyone heard of a custom rifle maker by this name? I am looking at a 416 Rem on a Rem 1917 action. It's a beautiful gun and looks well done, but I can't find anything on the maker.

If the builder's reputation is based upon the quality of his work, and you have examined his work and determined that it meets your standards, then what else do you really need to know?

Just curious...

Fair question. I'm not an expert on building rifles and not sure I would recognize something not done according to convention, best practices, whatever. So, I take some comfort from the reputation of a well known builder.

Understood, I would do the same.

I'm surprised that nobody has chimed in yet, this is a pretty wise group. Out of curiosity I did a Google search but couldn't find anything. I'm sure you did the same...

Maybe he just isn't well known? There a some guys who aren't necessarily "famous", but who do darn good work. Could be he's just one who didn't have the volume or internet exposure to garner a following.

Anyhow, good luck, and post a photo or two if you buy it!

I think I know who your talking about. I remember him from probably 25 years ago--about the time the Bauska(so) action was being imported from Korea. I believe that his first name was Carl.

He wasn't a big-time maker and he kind of morphed into it after his retirement. Made guns for himself and a few others

I do remember that I was always impressed by his work.

The more I thought about it, I'm certain this Wilson is the guy that made the gun you are looking at. I actually have been to his shop. I presume that he has passed away by now. He had his stocks profiled by the guy in Portland Oregon that made a couple of Jack O'Connor's last rifles. That names slips me right now, but I'll pm you when it comes to me.

But your right, even though he wasn't even n the business per se, he was a perfectionist and his rifles were beautifully made. He was into big bores and made some of his rifles on that Korean action I mentioned. If the price is right, you may get a real deal

That sounds like the same guy. I google searched him and found nothing, which makes me think that he probably has passed and maybe some time ago. I did turn up one other custom rifle made by him on the net and it dates to the mid 1980s. Thanks for the information.

Custom, I will ask over on Ifish -- an Oregon based hunting and fishing bulletin board.

Thanks, Bill.

The name of the guy who profiled his stocks was a rather famous maker in his day:

Earl Milliron