Thanks for the information I was looking for hunting rifles for bears and I have heard good thing about Bill Leaper.

RNS

Bill is a very good 'smith, judging by his work that I've seen (I don't own any of it, at the moment). There is also Martini and Haghn in BC, Ron Smith here in Alberta, Ted Gaillard in Saskarchewan, Ross Spagrud at Prairie Gun Works in Winnipeg, and Bevan King down east. There are others, but I've seen and handled work from all these gents and it is first rate. - Hope that helps. - Dan

Bill did wonders with a badly done P-17 receiver,the crime is I am the only one who can see because I knew what it was like before.He rechambered it to 308Norma and it became even more accurate.

AAsk him about 358Norma long neck.Jim's got one.

May I ask a question about Canadian gunsmiths from the past? I am trying to find out if there were any top notch pre-1940 (circa 1910-1940)custom rifle makers in Canada. I�m looking for anyone who did the quality of work of makers such as Griffin & Howe or Bob Owen.

Bevan King is actually in northeastern BC (Pouce Coupe, just SE of Dawson Creek). I've not met him but have spoken to him on the phone. He seems like a great guy. I've looked at some of his barrels and they look good enough that I ordered one (a .303). A visit to his place is on my list of things to do (it's a long list!). Regards, Bill.