OK! So don't leave us hanging. What will the checkering be? And how about the engraving?
That is going to be a special rifle.

Many Thanks

HBH

Duane has been hard at work and I’ve been collecting photos so I could update the thread without incessant posting. These photos should bring everyone up to date on the project:
Building the release into the squarebridge…

Sans scope…

The front ring needs a little help so we could keep the banner intact…

A pretty traditional diamond checkering pattern…



Now, I’m just waiting for the metal to finish a few more round trips through the bluing tank.

quote:

Originally posted by HBH:
OK! So don't leave us hanging. What will the checkering be? And how about the engraving?

Hey Brett, well you can now see the checkering.

As for the engraving, I've gone back to basics. I asked Duane to do all the engraving and stippling on this rifle.

I used to have Duane do all the trim work on my rifles; then I went through a phase where I used more engraving; then I scaled that back some but still used engraving specialists; now I've come full circle as I've found the rifles I use most have the least embellishment. (How's that for a run-on sentence?).

Forrest,

Rifle is looking excellent. One question regarding the scope, isn't it bad to have the ring covering the "gold ring" on the scope? Could have sworn hearing it could crush the lens under it. I'm know Mr. Wiebe knows what he's doing for more than I, just curious about it.

Metal, wood and engraving...Wiebe does it all, and he'll whistle you a helluva tune to boot.

Nice rifle Forrest.

Forrest,
I can see it good enough to tell I like it. I am sitting out a down pour in a box blind. I think this will be a great hunting rifle. The vision and execution of this rifle really hit the orginal goal. I owe you several photos, my rifle is coming along. Duane has just been so good.

Many Thanks
HBH

quote:

Originally posted by Sevens:
Forrest,

Rifle is looking excellent. One question regarding the scope, isn't it bad to have the ring covering the "gold ring" on the scope? Could have sworn hearing it could crush the lens under it. I'm know Mr. Wiebe knows what he's doing for more than I, just curious about it.

Sevens, the objective lens on the Leupold 1.5-5 is set back at least half an inch from the front of the scope. This scope ring is positioned comfortably in front of the lens. Whether a ring is best positioned fore or aft of the lens is a question I can't answer - other than to say the clawmount won't function with the ring too far behind the lens.

quote:

Metal, wood and engraving...Wiebe does it all, and he'll whistle you a helluva tune to boot.

Roger, "engraving" is a generous description for Duane's metal scratching talents compared to your own. He's not giving FEGA any competition but I do like Duane's final product.

Very nice Forrest!

The weigh-in was today; 8-1/4 pounds for the bare rifle. That roughly translates into 9-1/4 with the scope and 9-3/4 lbs with sling and a full magazine.

Sweet! I'll bet it will feel lighter.

HBH

I took the rifle to the range today..my first real hands on with a 404. Like it! Very manageable..don't know if I'd want it a lot lighter, but for myself, I think the weight is perfect.

Oh My!

sigh ...

sigh ...

Oh My!


Lovely ... simply lovely ...

Hot off the press! I just got these photos.
What can I say? Duane has outdone himself with this rifle. Even his metal scratching looks first rate. Thank you Duane...you da man.

That is a great looking rifle!!

I repeat: Oh My!

sigh ...

sigh ...

Oh My!


Lovely ... simply lovely ...

I really envy you fellas that can fund the creation of works of art. Congratulations to you and Mr. Wiebe!

Very nice Forrest. Congrats to you and Duane. Now that Duane has had a chance to practice on yours, I am sure mine will be a real eye catcher!

Forrest,

I have blown up the photos and spent plenty of time looking at them. It is rare to not see something I wouldn't change. I can't find a thing on this rifle! I often want a eboney fore end, this rifle doesn't need that in fact I think it is better lacking the eboney. That fore end shape is spot on perfection. The choice of grip cap, everything rings true to me for this style rifle. This one looks like it came out of England in the 1930s, only better, and ready to walk into the bush.
Understated elegance at it's best. I don't think there is anyone doing this type of rifle better than Duane.

Many Thanks

Brett

Thanks guys. Duane deserves all the credit. Even amongst a rarified group of peers, Duane has an even rarer talent for taking dreams his customers often can't even put into words and turn those dreams into wood and metal. He knows more about what I want in a rifle than I do.

Brett, there are five things I would do differently on this rifle (only three of them would be visable). I'll never say what they are because they are so insignificant, it would just show how bad my condition is. This rifle is really good; when I've finished previous rifle projects, there are ususally nearly a dozen things I would change and most of the time they would include one or two significant changes.

Forrest,
You have to just QUIT IT... Waiting, wanting and wishing for Duane to start on mine. I need to whack a big brown bear, moose, glacier bear and possibly a goat (with my back and knees, who knows), with it. Loud-n-Boomer and I have a hunt with destiny written all over it next September... Place is thicker with brown bears than democrats at PETA convention... I need that 416 Ruger.

Of course, I have a plastic stocked Weatherby Mark V that I can take on a first descent hunt, instead... Just wouldn't be the same, tho!!!