I read the review of rifles built by Sterling Davenport in the recent American Hunter Magazine. Did I read correctly that he builds and sells a M70/Mauser actioned semi-custom gun for around $3500? Seemed too good to be true.

Any comments on this or his rifles?

I sure didn't see anything remotely like that when I visited with him at the DSCI.
Butch

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I read the review of rifles built by Sterling Davenport in the recent American Hunter Magazine. Did I read correctly that he builds and sells a M70/Mauser actioned semi-custom gun for around $3500? Seemed too good to be true.

Any comments on this or his rifles?

From what I have seen the information would be outdated. I have a flier around here that as i recaldl was close to that, but 4-5 years ago when i got it. That may have been with the buyer supplied action, I don't remembver without hunting the flyer in the files

Ross,
I have three of Sterling's rifles, a .375 H&H, .416 Rigby and .416 Remington. All are excellent rifles and are as impressive on paper as they are to look at. Sterling is one of the most reasonable custom gunmakers I have run across but I believe that price would be if you supplied an action and wood blank. In Dallas I looked over a few of his rifles and they were top notch in fit and finish... a 9.3X62 on a CZ action, .500 Jeff on a Mauser and a .244 H&H on a Winchester M70. I need to call Sterling on another issue and I can clarify this for you if you want. Or if you know Leonard Burke from Oklahoma, give him a shout and he would know. He has had Sterling build him a number of rifles.
Cheers,
Russell

PM sent. thanks for the update

I have a book with good coverage on Sterling's work. And have met him a couple of times. Very talented and a gentleman to boot.

The best I remember he is slowing down a little and has a son who is taking up some of the slack.