Richard Franklin (Awesome Smith)

[wildcat]

I would like to take this time to say a few things about Richard Franklin of Richard's Custom Rifles. I started talking to Richard, back in September of 07, about building a 300 Varminter. After a few minutes with this man, it was obvious he had an unbelievable amount of knowleged about building custom rifles and ballistics. I decided to have Richard build my 300 Varminter. Ever since then, Richard has answered every e-mail and phone call either the same day or the next. It is without a doubt the BEST customer service I have ever had with any gunsmith.

I have had rifles built by some of the top gunsmiths in the US, and I must say Richard has been so professional, it's awesome. He talked with me for about 30 minutes today, even though he was busy. He answered all my questions and never made me feel I was bugging him.

We talked about varmint hunting for a long time. He is very serious about building the customer the perfect varmint rifle. He believes, if your goal is to shoot varmints from 50 to 1000 yards, using poly tipped bullets at very high velocities is the way to go for maximum kill power. He designes many of his chambers and rifles around this concept. He also builds Championship 1000 yard bench rifles and long range big game rifles for shots past 1000 yards. However, after watching Richard on his varmint video and talking to him, his passion is groundhog and varmint hunting.

He is currently working on a project/experiment that sounds awesome. If it works, and it sounds like it's already performing well, it's going to be cool for the serious varmint hunters.

The 300 Varmnter was Richards design. He designed the 300 Varminter around the 300 WSM cartridge, Bartlien 30" 1-15 twist barrel and the 110grn V-Max and 125grn Ballistic Tip. The end product is a rifle that will push a 110grn V-Max at 4150fps and a 125grn BT at a velocity of 4067fps. Not only did he accomplish the velocity factor, he also made it bench rest accurate and did it safely. It is awesome to see and watch this rifle perform. It is a testament to his knowledge for making this type of combination work.

Richard told me his favorite varmint rifle use to be the 6mmAI. However, he told me the 300 Varminter, is by far, his favorite varmint rifle for shots out to 1000 yards.

If your looking for a top notch and knowledgeable gunsmith, a gunsmith who will keep you posted, a gunsmith who will return your e-mails and phone calls, who is super nice, easy to talk to and your wanting to build a serious custom varmint rifle, I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Richard Franklin. Look at his web page under Richard's Custom Rifles.

Richard is a great smith and awesome man, he needs to be recognized a lot more.

Wildcat

 

[Agunner012]

Did you have the rifle built yet or is it still in the planning phase? I was hoping for a range report, the concept drew a lot of debate a few months back, I was hoping it was done.

Keep me posted,
AG

 

[wildcat]

Agunner012,

Yes, I had the rifle built and it should be completed late March early April. I have talked to a couple of guys who own the 300 Varminter, and I actually got to meet one of the guys and go shoot his.

All I can say, after shooting his rifle, WOW!
His 300 Varminter was pushing the 125grn BT at 4000+fps, I believe it was 4025fps to be exact. I have also talked to other gentlemen who own one and they have all reported the 300 Varminter is a bad *** rifle for varminting out to around 1000 yards. They also said the rifle will shoot groups in the .1's and .2's at 100 yards if you do your part.

All of these gentlemen are serious varmint hunters. They all said they varmint hunt at ranges from 50 to 1000 yards with the majority of their long range varminting being done from 400 to 800 yards . They all said they either use V-Max, Ballistic Tip or Blitzkings for varminting. They all had one favorite varmint rifle for shooting from 400 to 800 yards before they had a 300 Varminter built. Here is what rifle and bullet they used before they had a 300 Varminter;

1. 243AI with 70grn Ballistic Tip.
2. 6mm Remington with 70grn Ballistic Tip
3. 6mmAI with 75grn V-Max
4. 6x284 with 70grn V-Max

They all told me the 300 Varminter is now their all around favorite varmint rifle and puts their old favorites to shame.

As soon as I receive mine, I will do my own range report. However, all the reports from those who are already shooting one, are reporting awesome performance and accuracy.

Look at Richard's Custom Rifle web page, and you can read about the 300 Varminter. I talked to him today, and he said his orders have doubled for the 300 Varminter set up. The word is getting out about this set up and serious varmint hunters, who can afford one, are catching on.

Richard, also told me he has had many people call him and question him about how he got the 300 Varminter to work. He tells them the same thing, it took many days, months, barrel and twist rate combos, ect to get it to work just right.

The 300 Varminter has performed so well that 6mmBR.com wrote an article about the 300 Varminter. The article is called "Franklin's 4000fps 30-Cal Varminter Is A Hit With Hunters" I think this alone is a testament to Richards new rifle and how it performes. I don't think anyone needs to hear from me about how it performes, if 6mmBR.com writes about it, that is prove that it is performing well and has become a favorite among varmint hunters.

Like I said, if your thinking about having a varmint rifle built, and you want it built by a top notch gunsmith, seriously look at Richard Franklin.

W.

 

[Agunner012]

Sounds promising, looking forward to your report.

AG

 

[fireball168]

Just an observation,

I can appreciate your enthusiasm.

But...you've been giving Richard a virtual hand-job on here at least once a month for at least the last 3-4 months now, with posts nearly identical to this one...and you still don't have anything in your hand that he's built.

Are you his mother by chance?

 

[Slopeshunter]

you've been giving Richard a virtual hand-job on here

LMAO!!

 

[wildcat]

Firball168,

The reason I don't have my rifle yet is because I just ordered it in September of 2007. Like I said, it should be completed in March or April and when I receive the rifle, I will post all the info.

However, like I mentioned in the post, I have shot rifles built by Richard Franklin, so I know they are awesome rigs. I also mentioned the articles that have been written about Richard Franklin . I think you need to read the post.

What's wrong with me giving Richard good press. I don't understand why this type of stuff takes place on this site. I know my set up and bullet choice, with this rifle, are not the normal set up talked about on here. However, this set up, the 300 Varminter, is performing very well for it's intended purposes, read the articles.

Richard, has obviously found something that works for varmint hunters who want velocity, accuracy and maximum kill power. I don't understand why people, like yourself, go out of your way to make stupid comments.

I am just a very satisfied customer, and I wanted people to know about Richard Franklin. There are people on this site who might want to know about Richard, and I think it's important to talk about good smiths so people are more informed.

Also, if you don't like my post or rifle set up, please don't respond or read them.

W.

 

[koginam]

Hardly a week goes by when someone isn't asking for a gunsmith recommendation, or complaining about some smith that is taking to long, not answering phone calls or E-mail, or isn't doing quality work, so why not except a recommendation when one is given.
I don't know Richard personally but I have seen his work and it is unimpeachable.
Wildcat let us know how it shoots when you do get it.

 

[wildcat]

KOGINAM,

Thanks, that's all I was trying to do. Give a good recommendation and some information about one of his rifles he builds. True, I have made many posts regarding the 300 Varminter, whats's wrong with that. All I am trying to do is give information to those who might want to know about this type of set up.

Anyhow, thanks, and I will report back about the 300 Varminter. I am 100% positive it's going to be awesome.

W.

 

[Patriot44]

Koginam, I agree with you too. All Wildcat was doing was giving a recommendation for a good gunsmith. I for one am interested in hearing about his new rig. I don't understand why some of these guys try to cause problems, it's like they have nothing better to do. I remeber when Wildcat talked about the 300 Varminter and how it could push a 125grn BT at 4000fps, you thought he had committed a crime for saying that. Some people were saying it could not be done, ect, ect , ect. Well, that article in 6mmBR.com sure shut alot of people up. Keep the posts coming Wildcat, don't stop because a few people want to cause problems.

Patriot44

 

[wildcat]

P44, thanks, and I will keep the posts coming. The article written by 6mmBR.com was awesome, and I was really glad to see it. It really showed that Richards Franklins new rifle was performing extreamly well. When a gunsmiths rifles and designs are presented on a site like 6mmBR.com, you know he is a special smith.

I did get a lot of flack for saying the 300 Varminter could push the 125grn BT at 4000+fps. However, I guess I should have expected that because the 300 Varminter is developed around the lower BC 110grn V-Max and 125grn BT bullets.

Richard Franklin has pioneered something new for the serious varmint hunter that is extreamly fast, accurate, and deadly on varmints out to 1000 yards. It is an awesome set up and he should be commended for his design. The 300 Varminter, pushing the 125grn BT with a .366 BC at 4065fps, shoots flatter out to 1000 yards than a 300RUM pushing a 200grn accubond at 3200fps. You have to admit, that's impressive.

W.

 

[fireball168]

Well, that article in 6mmBR.com sure shut alot of people up.
Patriot44

Just curious if you are talking about this article, about 2/3 down the page.

AccurateShooter.com BLOG




VARMINTING--Franklin's 4000 FPS, 300 WSM Wows Hunters: Richard Franklin (Richard's Custom Rifles) has pioneered the use of lightweight (110-130 grain) 30-caliber bullets in a new generation of hyper-velocity varmint rifles. Richard's new trademark cartridge is the "300 Varminter". Using 30" barrels with the 300 WSM case, Richard's "maxi" varminter delivers incredible levels of energy at both short and long range. Traveling at 4000+ FPS, the lightweight, plastic-tipped bullets literally explode when they hit. This can lift a groundhog up to 10 feet in the air--and Richard has VIDEO to prove it.

Richard tells us that demand is high for the 300 Varminter: "I have built 25 of these rifles just this year, and orders are increasing. I'm building them for coyote hunters out west, and well as Eastern groundhog shooters." Richard adds: "This cartridge is fast AND accurate. My 300 Varminter is now my favorite rifle, and it may be the most accurate long-range varmint rifle I own. Accuracy is really outstanding--I've shot groups under 1.5" at 500 yards with this. And the effect of these bullets at 500+ yards on a 'Hog has to be seen to be believed." Richard uses VV 550 and Norma 300 WSM brass: "Norma is the only way to go--the Win and Rem brass is nowhere near as good".

Richard explains: "The 300 Varminter is built around the 300 WSM case. In good custom actions such as the BAT or Nesika this round will deliver 4000+ FPS with the 125gr Nosler Ballistic tips and a bit more with the 110gr Hornady V-Max. Remington-action rifles will handle velocities up to around 3800 to 3900 FPS with these bullets. We use Norma brass in a tight-neck chamber with zero freebore and slow-twist 30" barrels to obtain these velocities. Accuracy is excellent with either of these bullets. If you want air time and red mist on large varmints then this is the caliber for you."



Above is Richard's personal "300 Varminter" in its distinctive South American Bloodwood stock. That is the true color of the wood--not a stain. Note the deeply recessed crown. Richard says this helps keep noise and blast away from the shooter. Richard's "Big Red" features a BAT Machine 1.600" diameter 'B' action, Bat 20 MOA rail, Burris Signature Zee rings, Jewel 1.5 oz. trigger, and a Bartlein 1.250" X 30", 1:15" twist barrel. Total weight is 24 lbs. which includes about 4 lbs of lead added to the buttstock. Richard tells us "The Bartleins have been outstanding, with consistent quality and accuracy I can count on." Richard uses a Nightforce NSX 8-32 X scope with MLR reticle. CLICK HERE to view a video of what the 300 Varminter will do (warning--very LOUD and GRAPHIC--turn down your audio before playback).

 

[Patriot44]

FIREBALL,

Yes, this is the article, blog, what ever you want to call it. This showed that the 300 WSM was capable of pushing the 125grn BT at 4000fps with the correct componenets. Anyhow, this post was about Richard Franklin and what a good smith and person he his. I hope you don't try to turn this into a ****ing match.

P44

 

[wildcat]

P44, thank you for saying that about the post. I figured someone would try to turn this into a ****ing match like you said. I would like this post to be a about Richard Franklin and his rifles and what a great smith he is.

Please, if you don't like my rifle or choice of smith, please, do not hi-jack the post and try to turn it into something else. I would like to hear from those who have had a rifle built by Richard. Like P44 said, this is a post about giving Richard Franklin his props.

W.