I had an enjoyable afternoon in the woods today. I lit off four rounds out of the Gibbs. I started with 118 grains of IMR 4831 in front of a Fed 215 primer. The bullet was a Woodleigh 525 grain soft. I intend on increasing the powder charge until I reach factory velocities. I don't feel any need to go beyond, nor desire to do so.

I have to give kudos to Messr. Wisner. Jim did all of the rail, bolt and magazine work to get the feeding in order. Boy did he accomplish his misson in spades. It feeds like pouring water down a funnel.

Now comes the fun part. Working up the loads and sighting the rifle in to 50 yds (not so fun part).

Wish me and my shoulder good luck. ;-)

Roger, you didn't sound in pain when I talked to you, so you must have enjoyed it. I do expect a call when the next outing is so I can get it on film.
Since this gun is such a beauty, how bout some pictures so we can all drool.

No, but I assure you he is stuttering...

Roger.

When you are ready to go again, let me know and I will bring some 525 gr Barnes Solids for those hard to stop engine blocks.

Also need to dust off my chrono, you will be surprized at the vel.

Shotting an 505 is like blackpowder, once it is your blood you can not get rid of it.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith

quote:

Originally posted by Scrollcutter:
I had an enjoyable afternoon in the woods today. I lit off four rounds out of the Gibbs. I started with 118 grains of IMR 4831 in front of a Fed 215 primer. The bullet was a Woodleigh 525 grain soft. )

Better you than me. Thats gotta smart.

Just a wild guess, but I'd wager velocities aren't much more than 2000 fps with this loading. Recoil is a bit stiffer than my 9 lb. 458. Stiff enough that I can feel the recoil pad beginning to bottom out.

Here you go Jimmy. The sights and sling swivel mount are now blued. They are Jim's creation, as well.

Roger,
You'll soon find that you miss the sudden spinal alignment that a 1/2" or better gives you... and you'll be loving it and grining!!

Man, who did that stock? I love it...

jeffe

Good luck!

Purtty rifle, I'm close to jealous too.

Very very Nice!

Jeffe, I bet Roder did the stock himself.

Roger, very nice.

Beautiful rifle Roger. Who did the engraving work?

Roger, if memory serves me, I think it is just a bit over 10 years since the barrel was installed and the stock finished. I bet Ray is smiling down on you during this.

Beautiful rifle Roger.

Thanks for the compliments on the rifle guys. This one is more than just a great rifle. This rifle is special...

Like Chic said, it got started about 10 years ago. Ray Price started the project as a show piece/spec rifle. The first time I saw it was at the Seattle NRA show. A bunch of us gun guys from Washington state went together on a booth to display our wares. Anyway, Ray had the rifle there. It was stocked and the bulk of the metal work was completed (Jim Wisner later completed the feeding and sights). I fell in love with the rifle (who wouldn't, right). After the show Ray was always ribbing me to buy the rifle off of him. I knew it was out of my reach and would retort with something along the lines of the fun I was going to have watching Ray shoot the rifle. "Small chance in that" was Ray's reply.

It wasn't too long after that, I got a call from Ray telling me they discovered he had leukemia and they would be starting chemo therapy. Soon after Ray got out of the hospital he called and asked if I would put together an '86 Winchester that had just returned from Turnbull for case coloring (only if you have assembled a freshly refinished '86 can you know how nerve racking it is to assemble the finger lever/bolt/ejector into the gun and not scratch it, let alone trying to do it sick from chemo :-[). Anyhow, I told him to ship it over and I would get right on it for him. A couple of days later the package shows up. I open it up and low and behold here's the '86 and the 505. I called Ray to let him know I got the guns. What do you want me to do with the 505? Ray said, "That's yours. Finish her up." You can imagine,I felt like I had swallowed an apple whole.

So now, I'm one step closer to having her finished up...it feels good.

quote:

Scrollcutter: A couple of days later the package shows up. I open it up and low and behold here's the '86 and the 505. I called Ray to let him know I got the guns. What do you want me to do with the 505? Ray said, "That's yours. Finish her up."

The story is just a beautiful as the rifle, makes it really special.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:

The story is just a beautiful as the rifle, makes it really special.

My thoughts exactly. Thanks for sharing them both Roger.

Wow Roger - what a gift. That's a great thing you have in your hands, and it rightly should remind you all the time of a great man.

I remember reading about the rifle when you posted about it before (although I think you posted more detail this time). Thanks for giving us progress reports on this special project.