I've hunted with a lot of rifles over the years and even my favorites have let me down from time to time. Sometimes, its not the rifle's fault, like when the ice fog came in and fogged my optics after a three hour stalk.

Once or twice a scope failed. Once a windage screw cracked, a dovetail failed, the QR mount SR'd. A base screw failed. An ejector pin let go. etc, etc.

Sometimes it was expensive...like you're on the last day of the hunt, have just climbed 3000 feet through 18 inches of new snow and two hundred elk are moving across below you. Shoot and miss. Heck...declare war and still miss. (darn scope).

At times like that, my thoughts seemed to run: the next darned rifle won't....

What?

Well, cost a second mortgage for one thing. (Thank you, MRC). Then design out every weak spot I can think of and design in the supporting hardware for all kinds of conditions. Oh yeah, and it's got to look good too.

Step one: Qualify actions for a private label program. Serengeti. Nice name. Etch it in. Nothing else. Just Serengeti. Same font as on the web page.

An ACRAbond stock, of course. Merlin geometry. Stable. Strong. And AAA or Special selection only. Been making blanks for breakfast (and dinner). Plenty of options too.

8-40 Talley bases for scopes. Iron sights on every rifle. NECG...front and rear. Good stuff. And when, not if, your optics fail at that $5000 (or $10,000) moment, you'll be glad you can QR the glass away and still take the shot.

Traditional proven chamberings (with few exceptions). Feed demons not allowed. Barrel bands standard on the forty-bores. An extra barrel mounted recoil lug too. FalconCoat finishes for the most rugged environmental challenges. (an upgrade that)

And the service pak. A little kit of all those bits that, if they fail, can turn your dream hunt into a nightmare.

That's a good start. A Serengeti rifle won't exactly be custom because of the inherent features predefined to a specific concept. It will cost between $2300 and $2800 retail depending on options. Good dealer program too. Limited production for now, of course.

Got a ways to go yet. But we'll be up and running in a month or two.

For those that must must have a 6.5 Ackley improved Ultra Mag, Serengeti is not the way to go. For that one, look to the Montanan.

Rod you have mail. By the way what does the Falcon coat finish look like and how durable is it?

[ 08-20-2003, 09:47: Message edited by: CoonDawg ]

Rod, I think you have a great idea and I would bet you will carry it off and have a great product in the near future. Best of luck with your vision. Was hoping to get over your way this fall and stop in for a visit but things are getting real busy here. Maybe next spring.

Sounds exiting Rod. If your record from MRC is anything to go by, you'll still be listening to what your customers want, and that is an important element in success.
- mike

HEY ROD, SHIP THE STOCK AND HAVE MRC STICK 1 OF THERE STAINLESS BARRELS AT 24" IN A .300 SOMETHING AND WE WILL TUNE IT UP AND MAKE IT SIT UP AND BARK. A NICE 1" 4x SCOPE WITH A MEDIUM PLEX WOULD BE NICE.

GREAT POST ROD, WAY TO GET THE JUICES FOLLOWING.

Rod-

Question: Is it your plan to use the MRC PH action or any of the MRC 1999 actions depending on the caliber?

One could assume that you would use the PH on the big boomers and the 1999 on rifles of caliber less than say .375.

What are your thoughts?

I sent a prospective client over to MRC yesterday and he signed on the Charter for the PH. It was exactly what he had been looking for for the past few years. Yes, we'll do a stock for it. Probably got the better part of a year to wait, though. I'm not sure what the kick-off number is, but I know there's a ways to go yet, and experience says 7-8 months once they order the molds.

Right now, we're planning on .375 H&H, .416 Rem, and 458 Lott. All of these feed really good in the M1999. The Lott is a bit of an oddball, but the chambering will accept .458win too, so you can gain some ground there.

I like these cartridges for a traditional, tried and true approach:

25-06
270win
30-06
xxxx (.338 or .35 cal '06 derivative here?)
7mm Rem
300 Win
338 Win
375 H&H
416 Rem
458 Lott

All on the M1999 Long Action.