What is the difference between the two? I was looking at the stainless steel versions of both.

Seems that the Sunny Hill models are priced about twice as much but there are no photos on their website to compare them against the Williams and Andy is gone until Monday...not a pressing matter, but I want to satisfy my curiosity.

Also, are there any advantages/disadvantages to the Oberndorf-type vs. regular button on bottom to open the floorplate?

Thanks.

One difference is that the Sunny Hill type is a one piece unit. The magazine box is integral with the Triggerguard Floorplate unit.

Sunny hill bm has a draft on it, which allows you to inlet to wood with a very good fit. Williams does not which makes the same thing very difficult.

Much more pleasing shape and contour on the Sunny Hill than on the Willaims. The Williams bottom metal trigger guard has parallel sides and looks plain and blocky to me.

sunny hill picswilliams pic

Not enough to justify the price in my opinion. Now if Mat would just build us some Mauser stuff for around the same price. Some people seem to think that the Williams/Winchester design is more apt to come open unintentionally but like a lot of things it’s probably more hype than anything else. The inside the trigger bow release is a lot better looking but twice the price for the sunny hill is a not very nice.

Shawn

I second Chics statement and by the time you get a smith to put some draft on a Williams its probably more costly than a Sunny Hill, Blackburn, Grissel, Rayburn, or Weidner...

Thanks guys.

Ray and Chic,

This would be going on a D'Arcy Echols Synthetic Stock, not sure if draft is required or not?

All that I want is a nice, light, stainless steel assembly that gets the job done under all hunting conditions.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
I second Chics statement and by the time you get a smith to put some draft on a Williams its probably more costly than a Sunny Hill, Blackburn, Grissel, Rayburn, or Weidner...

Ray

You mention the name Rayburn.

Is Jasper Rayburn making bottom metal now?

Bluetick, the difference is more than just price. If you want blocky and in my mind ugly bottom metal that is a pain to inlet and will always look like a poor substitute, go for it. If you want something that was made with a bit of style and an eye for the guy doing the work, go for some good custom bottom metal.

It all depends on how you feel about the looks of the final product. Both will work. You an use weaver bases and rings or some Talleys. Decisions, decisions.

I totally agree with the statements about the PITA lack of drafting when trying to inlet a Williams guard...but the “ugly†statements are in the eye of the beholder. Believe it or not, there are people who find the Sunny Hill and Blackburn models less than pleasing to look at...myself among them.

What's "draft" and "drafting?"

Jaywalker

quote:

Originally posted by Jaywalker:
What's "draft" and "drafting?"

Jaywalker

Jay,

It’s a certain degree of taper that allows gradual fitting/inletting of a part as it is lowered into place...sort of like a wedge going into a hole. If the part has no draft you better be dead on the money from the start or you are going to have gaps.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
I second Chics statement and by the time you get a smith to put some draft on a Williams its probably more costly than a Sunny Hill, Blackburn, Grissel, Rayburn, or Weidner...

Ray, when's the last time you paid a 'smith to put a file to something that easy?

If you're fitting it to a glass stock that will be painted afterward, its as easy as glass bedding the action. Pros for whom time is money have a legitimate point and William's stuff takes a lot more time to acheive the same effect. If it is your time and not someone else's that you're paying for, then use what you like.

BTW, if you're good enough to inlet one by hand you can hand-draft a Williams. OTOH, taste is taste and if the lines bother you then that's that.

tiggertate is right.

It takes about 30 min or so with a file to put enough of a draft on a Williams triggerguard to allow easy inletting.

The biggest bitch I had with the first guard (Remington 700) I got from Matt was that he doesn’t bother to tell you (no instructions included) that you have to use an ADL screw on mag box with it. It took me a few hours of scratching my head trying to fit the shorter BDL box before I figured that one out.

Personally, I like the contour of his bows...but others seem to prefer the more egg shaped ones on the other units.

I normally use DD Ross guards anyway, so for me the whole thing is rather academic.

Thanks, that makes sense.

A Williams unit came standard on my recent M70 Featherweight. Until recently, I wasn't aware there were any alternative assemblies.

Jaywalker

FWIW, Matt (Williams) says his units are straight sided because Winchester spec'd them that way and they are/were his principal client. Makes since to me but what the hell, I just work to make money, not fame.

If you are matching CNC machined bottom metal with CNC machined stocks, a drafted edge is irrelevant and I understand and appreciate that. OTOH, this was not explained well initially and for the custom industry, it was the proverbial PITA. I understand that too.