Richard Franklin (Awesome Smith)

[fireball168]

Not trying to start a pissing match at all, just think you all need to actually read what is posted here, then read the rest of the entries into that Blog for comparison.

Quotes from those scan few paragraphs:

...Richard has VIDEO to prove it.

Richard tells us that demand is high...

Richard explains...

There isn't anything in that write up that indicates anyone at 6mmBR even SAW the rifle in person, let alone shot it.

Nothing against the man, or Wildcat, re-read it and comprehend what it says.

Personally, I think his work "looks" great, his website is somewhat interesting, and I've already written the check to purchase two of his DVD's.

But that "article" is nothing more than a press release.

[Varmint Hunter]

Originally Posted by fireball168

Not trying to start a pissing match at all, just think you all need to actually read what is posted here, then read the rest of the entries into that Blog for comparison.

Quotes from those scan few paragraphs:

...Richard has VIDEO to prove it.

Richard tells us that demand is high...

Richard explains...

There isn't anything in that write up that indicates anyone at 6mmBR even SAW the rifle in person, let alone shot it.

Nothing against the man, or Wildcat, re-read it and comprehend what it says.

Personally, I think his work "looks" great, his website is somewhat interesting, and I've already written the check to purchase two of his DVD's.

But that "article" is nothing more than a press release.

I've got to agree with fireball168. Even Wildcat who says "I am just a very satisfied customer" admits that he's never owned one of Richard's rifles.

I'd be much more interested in hearing the attributes of Richard's guns and his 1,000 yd cartridge from the guys who have been shooting them for awhile.

One additional thought when comparing the 300 Varminter to the 300 RUM @ 1,000 yds. The 300 Varminter will shoot flater but bullet drop is a known factor and can easily be compensted for. However, the 300 RUM with a quality high BC bullet will resist the effects of the wind better than the 300 Varminter and that is where the hits vs misses usually come into play.

If you're talking about 1,000 yds PLUS then the advantage to the RUM would continue to increase with distance.

When comparing terminal energy - well we probably don't want to go there.

No flame intended towards anyone.

[wildcat]

True, I do not have my rifle yet. However, l have shot rifles built by him including the 300 Varminter. I wanted to inform those who might be interested in the 300 Varminter, that the rifle performes extreamly well and that Richard is a great gunsmith to deal with.

I also talked to a number of owners of the 300 Varminter who all said the rifles awesome for it's intended purpose which is Varmint Hunting out to 1000 yards. The bottom line is Richard is a great gunsmith and his new 300 Varminter works and works extreamly well with the lighter bullets.

W.

[James NC]

I don't think I know anyone that has posted in this thread but I can tell you as a customer of Richards and a person who has had him do several jobs for me and been to his shop to talk walk look around and shoot with him he is a stand up guy. I would give Richard the key to my house and the combination to my safe. These guys that hang around up in that part of VA and in Richards shop make some awesome shots and long distances. This is what he builds these guns for. The first gun Richard did for me that I could not get dialed in called him and he helped me get through MY problem and get that gun shooting it was my first work with a wildcat and reloading I probably drove him crazy but he stuck with me. You will not go wrong with Richard.

James NC

[wildcat]

Thanks James, this is what this post is about, giving Richard some good press and informing others about him and his awesome builds.

W.

[BountyHunter]

When comparing terminal energy - well we probably don't want to go there.

OK, I'll bite. Just how much terminal energy is really needed for a ground hog or coyote? Is that for the charging "bull" ground hog or the "doe" ground hog?

Quit trying to compare apples to oranges. Two different gun setups and two different goals, but both very good in their lane. Neither is particularly good at the others though.

As for the press releases issue, this site is also littered with them!! So well, we probably really do not want to go there either.

Richard Franklin has built many match winning and world record setting guns (by the way, how many here can say that?) and has proven repeatedly he knows how to build an extremely accurate gun whether it is a match gun or a varmint gun. You just have to venture off this site to find guys who shoot his guns like Mark Scronce, Greg Culpepper, etc all top guys in their game and even world record holders.

We have a couple or more specialists here that are very good at building LR big game hunting guns, just not every gun has to fit in that square hole in order to be good at its purpose.

BH

[wildcat]

BH, Excellent points. It gives guys on this site information about other smiths who specialize in different types of hunting.

W.