Guys, in the custom rifle thread there was a link to Champlin, and that site had this rifle for sale: Biesen Brevex .375 H&H.

Unfortunately I don't have 8K for a rifle, and I know too little of this class of guns to gauge whether this is a reasonable price (if you can speak of "reasonable" at 8 grand?). So I figured I'd ask you guys...

I'd change the scope mount, and it is a pity the front stud and front sight are not fixed with rings, but other than that, I can't see anything wrong with the rifle - as a matter of fact it looks darn attractive to me. With the slightly greater drop of the stock, there might even be a chance that the open sights are halfway useable.

Comments, bitches, complaints??

- mike

P.S. More pictures

Dressels, the stock blank people have a Brevex action for sale for $4500US, action only.

A Weatherby via their custom shop and just point checkering and island open sight, Krieger cut rifling barrel and wood up grade of French Walnut for $2150 comes out at over $8000US. Same sort of deal with Dakota

The Winchester custom chop top rifle is $4800

Holland and Holland's 375 bolt action on an ordinary Mauser is $33000US and deluxe wood is an option and the detachable scope mounts are $5000US What it would cost on a Hartman and Weiss would be some huge figure.

I don't know what a Purdey costs but it would be plus on H&H.

An Echols on a Model 70 with a synthetic stock is about $6000US. I think they are about $15000US for a wood gun plus the blank.

I don't think you can really say whether any of these rifles are good or bad value for the money because it is all so personal.

Mike

quote:

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Originally posted by mho:
Guys, in the custom rifle thread there was a link to Champlin, and that site had this rifle for sale: http://www.champlinarms.com/gundetail.cfm?id=1820.

Unfortunately I don't have 8K for a rifle, and I know too little of this class of guns to gauge whether this is a reasonable price (if you can speak of "reasonable" at 8 grand?). So I figured I'd ask you guys...

I'd change the scope mount, and it is a pity the front stud and front sight are not fixed with rings, but other than that, I can't see anything wrong with the rifle - as a matter of fact it looks darn attractive to me. With the slightly greater drop of the stock, there might even be a chance that the open sights are halfway useable.

Comments, bitches, complaints??

- mike

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Roger will build you the same gun on a Model 70 Pre 64 action (I don't know how much the Brevex action increases the cost), with a barrel band swivel, banded front sight and skeleton grip cap for about at least $2,000 less than Champlins wants for that one. Champlins is not known for "giving away" any of its rifles. Plus, I would never pay asking price for a used gun.

No need to change the scope mount. It is a very good scope mounting system that is easy to use and returns to zero. Just rotate the back lever, swing the scope 90 degrees and your all set for iron sights.

Biesen Website

Roger probably offers the best value by a custom gunmaker in today's market. But I am biased, I have had Roger make me two rifles.

Although I have only seen pictures of his rifles, I think Sterling Davenport also offers good value for the money in a custom rifle.

Regards,

Terry

Fine magnum Mauser-type actions like the Brevex, Granite Mountain, Vektor, Noreen, Prechtl, etc. cost between $2500-$3500 alone. The CZ550, ZKK-602 & UltraMag are less expensive but require alot of additional gunsmithing to bring them to the same level as the others.

I once had a .264 Mag with beautiful wood and a friend shot it way to good.....and one day he offered me more than it was worth which, of course, means he bought it.

Definition of a sale....."when someone offers more than it's worth.

"This piece has all the trappings and shape of a beautiful brunette with a great set of hooters"

How could I not agree!

It is indeed a nice looking piece - if not exactly cheap. Thanks for the education regarding custom and fine guns, guys. I guess it would make a change from my regular plastic stocks
- mike

one of the problems with this type of gun and pricetag is that it's sadly hurt by a single flaw.....and that two position safety is just that.....A three position safety is about $100 more and not that difficult to install.

Careful now.....it's still a magnificient work of art.....don't get me wrong....funny how details can cause ones feelings to turn away.

Actually I prefer a safety such as this. It is either on or off and locks the bolt closed when on. What would disappoint me more than that is that the scope mounts are not up to what a rifle of that nature should be in my estimation. Unless my eyes are deceiving me, very possible, it looks to me like plain ordinary Leupold bases with a Pilkington type lever screw on the left side.

For the walnut stock and brevex action more or less $ 8,000.00 - Figure all the rest plus Biesen House name as a bonus.

This is a very nice 375 H&H

Roland

quote:

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Originally posted by T.Carr:

Although I have only seen pictures of his rifles, I think Sterling Davenport also offers good value for the money in a custom rifle.

Regards,

Terry

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Sterling Davenport tests his rifles at the Three Points rifle range here in Tucson. I've seen and held probably a dozen of the rifles he's built, I know I want one. I've just about convinced my better half that life might not be worth living unless I can get one of his rifles. Actually, the truth of the matter is I can't decide what cartridge I want it chambered in.
Paul B.

I just recieved a custom pre-64 Winchester from Biesen in 7x57. Beautiful rifle with all the usual embellishments. Roger certainly doesn't need my endorsement, but here it is anyway. I'm planning on ordering another rifle from him when I see him in Reno next week.

If I owned that rifle the first thing I would have to do is to dump the scope mounts.

Mike

Those scope mounts might function well enough, but I think a rifle like this should rather have Recknagel(ERA) or EAW swingmounts.