Dennis,

I had Roger Biesen build these two rifles for me in late 2000 and mid-2001.

The first rifle built is a .375 H&H built on a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 action (1950), 23" Douglas premium barrel. Sights and bottom metal are from PME. The rear sight is PME's reproduction of the sight from the Winchester ".458 African" rifle (which I believe was made 1964-71). Magazine capacity is 4 rounds. The detacheable scope mounts require the turning of a lever on the rear mount and then the rotation of the scope 90 degrees which releases the front mount (I never asked Roger, but I believe these mounts are made by him). The stock is Exhibition Grade English walnut with wrap around checkering in Biesen's classic fleur-de-lys pattern. 3-panel checkered bolt handle.

The second rifle is a .416 Rem Mag with the exact same specifications as the .375 H&H except it is a pre-war Winchester Model 70 action (1940) and the bolt handle has two panel checkering .

The first rifle was built in 7 months and the second took about 10 months (because of a death in Roger's family). Roger was a pleasure to deal with and we had several long conversations on the phone.

Both rifles shoot 1" groups with factory ammuntion (both took about 40-50 rounds to break in the barrel until I got consistent groups). My only complaint was the level of finish on the stocks. Roger uses a synthetic finish which he dulls down by buffing with steel wool. This left some swirl marks in the finish which I buffed out and added a few coats of fine paste wax to even out the finish.

Roger provided the actions for the rifles and scopes and the cost was less than a comparable Dakota rifle. Roger is not cheap, but he prices are at the bottom of what other custom gunsmiths charge.

I haven't talked to Roger since mid-2002. He no longer has a website. [Correction, here's the website: Biesen ].

For those that aren't familiar with Roger. He is the son (I believe Roger is in his mid-50s) of Al Biesen. Al Biesen was one of Jack O'Connor's favorite gunsmiths. Al (who is in his 80s) was semi-retired last time I talked to Roger. Al and Roger's shop is in the basement of Al's house in Spokane Washington.

Some pics:









Regards,

Terry

[ 12-04-2003, 08:38: Message edited by: T.Carr ]

Thank you very much for taking the time to type all that out, Terry.

Those are fantastic looking rifles!

One thing though .. is this not his website?

http://www.biesen.com/

It does appear it hasn't been updated for a few months.

Thanks Again!
Dennis

Terry,

Those are fantastic rifles!!!

Any close up photos of the metal & stock work?

As dSmith45 said the Biesen's still have a website thought it is a little out of date.

Thanks for posting.
Regards,
Dave

Dennis,

Thanks for the link. My old link didn't work (to another website) and I never checked for a new website.

Dave,

Here are some pics of the checkering, I'll take some closeups of the metal and post them in a day or two.









Regards,

Terry

Terry, thanks for posting your pictures. They are two really fine looking rifles and will provide you with a lifetime of hunting pleasure.

Beautiful craftsmanship.

It amazes me what highly skilled and talented gunsmiths can create. Those rifles must be a pleasure to hunt with and a real source of pride in ownership.

Regards,
Dave

Terri... Those are as beautiful as view of The rocky mountain wilderness.
Those rifles are inspireing. I wish I could build one that nice some day.
Im finishing up my 6.5x55 mauser project. Alot of work...

Does Roger Biesen Do all the work himself, Machine work , welding, wood and checkering etc?
Or does He sub some some of the work out to other specialists?
Thats a true craftsman that does everything

Rick

[ 12-04-2003, 07:32: Message edited by: GSP7 ]

Rick,

Roger does it all.

Regards,

Terry

Dakota needs to hire Roger to design for them a properly dimensioned stock.....

Dennis, I think you'll be in great hands if you commission a Biesen rifle or two!

Terry, have you thought about adding maybe a Biesen .30-06, .270, or some such chambering to your battery?

AD

Allen,

Yes, a .300 Win Mag is on the wish list. I think that would make the set complete.

Regards,

Terry

I think you're right, Allen

re: Doner Actions from the Swamp thread. I have been looking at the local gunshows for pre-SC classic. So far all I have found is .375 H&H rifles and true Pre-64's. I do have that SuperGrade which I bought in '91. One of the first batch of "Classic" actions. However, it's already been 'smithed on. Not sure It would be accepted by a riflemaker. Also, I'm not sure I could bring myself to have it parted out to donate after having it 13 years. Better to sell it.

If you have an action to spare let me know by email. Looking for two standard long actions or one standard, one magnum.

[ 12-04-2003, 08:19: Message edited by: dSmith.45 ]

Dennis, if you want, lets say, a .270 or .30-06 and a .375 H&H, I'd go with original pre-64 Model 70 actions. In both cases, the factory-original magazine boxes are exactly right for those cartridges, better than the current boxes are on today's Classic Model 70. If I look long enough, I think I can help you find an action of two if you'd like.

AD

Terry, beautiful rifles. Thanks very much for taking the time to post the pictures. Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Allen, it would be .270 Winchester ( NOT WSM) and .338 Win Mag. I think I would get the most use and utility from that pairing. Besides I could never make up my mind who was "right" between O'Conner & Keith

I would appreciate any help or leads you could put me onto for a shooter/donor quality Pre-'64. All I typically see at the Dallas area gunshows are near pristine examples that are priced accordingly.

edit : I think I'll also e-mail Mims Reed about my "quest" he sees quite a few rifles for sale or consignment.

[ 12-04-2003, 20:03: Message edited by: dSmith.45 ]

Absolutely stunning rifles - congratulations!

Have you taken any game with them? Please post trophy pictures here. Thanks in advance.

Good hunting!

Mehul,

The .375 and .416 were used in Tanzania and the .416 was used in Zimbabwe.

A few pics:











Regards,

Terry

This is the sort of use that fine custom rifles were designed for to begin with - real hunting!

Terry, your photos remind me of a 1960s Jack O'Connor story from "Outdoor Life" which included pics of Jack being ferried across a river while holding his Al Biesen-built Model 70 in .375 H&H.

That was a stunning rifle as well, as you might imagine......

AD

Allen,

Yes, the Biesen's make their rifles to be hunted with. Both rifles have a few scratches and dings. But I bought them to be hunted with, not to set in the safe.

Regards,

Terry