Another Joel Russo masterpiece!!

[bwaites]

Back in July of last year Joel Russo posted this rifle for sale:

Chambered and bedded by Bill Moyer
Howa 1500 single shot
ADL trigger guard
Hart 9 twist, 26", .940 at muzzle
3" Laminated, pillar bedded, stock finished with auto clear.
Round count approx 250
RCBS dies included

I was in the market for a new, long range shooter, and after conversing with him a bit, this rifle sounded like it might be a deal.

BUT....that stock was not my cup of tea.

I wanted an A5 stock, and Joel was able to accomodate me, also feeling that this rifle needed a different look and feel.

8+ months later, and after many emails, phone calls, and conversations, during which I feel like Joel has become both a friend and a mentor, the rifle morphed into this:

Chambered by Bill Moyer and pillar bedded by Joel Russo
Howa 1500 internal magazine
ADL trigger guard
Timney Trigger set at 2 pounds, it breaks with the proverbial glass rod, as I think about pulling the trigger!
Hart 9 twist, 26", .940 at muzzle
20 MOA hand machined rail
NightForce Benchrest 12-42x56 with NP-R2 reticle

(I need to point out that Joel put a very nice bead blasted netting type finish on the barrel, but the pictures don't do it justice! I also requested that he NOT finish it in Autoclear yet, incase I decide I wanted to whittle a little on the stock to make it fit me better. After shooting it, I won't be doing anything to it! I should have known Joel would get it right the first time!)


Joel worked up a very nice load or 168 Bergers over 4831 SC which shot this very nice group at 300 yards.

Unfortunately, nobody in the State of Washington had any Berger 168's, so I have been in the process of working up a load for the Berger 180's over H1000, which many 7mm WSM shooters have had good luck with.

Here is a photo with my 300 yard target:

This was actually 2 different loads, one of 65.5 and one of 66 grains. The first group, shot at the Bull, the second shot at the 9.

I am NOT a great shooter, but this gun is!! Well inside 1/2 MOA with three different loads!

I cannot BEGIN to express my heartfelt appreciation of Joel and all the questions he answered (many of them incredibly stupid on my part!) while he worked on this project for me.

For a guy who does this not because he needs to, but because he enjoys it, his example of patience and good natured help was nothing short of miraculous!

Many thanks again, Joel, for all your help!!!

Finally, a trio photo, of the three rifles I am taking to BOOMERSHOOT next weekend!

Boomershoot!

Bill

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I would say if you can hold a group like that at 300 that you at least have the basics down.

I remeber that rifle I think if it had that stock to start with I would have bought it. What a diffrence I LOVE IT.

Did you keep is a single shot?

 

[bwaites]

I would say if you can hold a group like that at 300 that you at least have the basics down.

I remeber that rifle I think if it had that stock to start with I would have bought it. What a diffrence I LOVE IT.

Did you keep is a single shot?

Thanks, I'm getting there, but a long way to go still!

Yes, the stock really makes a HUGE difference.

Joel reinstalled the internal magazine, so I don't have to reload after every shot, though when shooting for groups, I do anyway!

Bill

 

[Joel Russo]

Bill~

I am absolutely humbled by that post...

It has been a pleasure working with you on this project over the past few months.

When customers would ask what I was doing to that rifle, I would tell them that I was re-stocking it and doing other work to it for a "friend" in Washington.

I guess that says it all.

Now go out and win that Boomershoot!