Richard Franklin (Awesome Smith)

[fireball168]

Not trying to start a ****ing 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]

Not trying to start a ****ing 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]

Ok

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.

 

[dbhostler]

I have one of Richard's rifles, in 7 WSM, build on one of his stocks and it is as nice as any of the custom rifles I have. Very high quality machining and excellent fit. Shoots as good as it looks. I too have spoken to him before and he likes to talk and will take the time to answer your questions. All of the smiths I have worked with are this way too, a fine bunch of men that hold the customer in high reguard. Just my .02.
db

 

[Patriot44]

There are a ton of blogs on 6mmBR.com about Richards rifle and how he builds them. You have to be a pretty darn good smith to be mentioned on that site. He really knows how to build a rifle.

Wildcat, when will you get your rifle. Have you decided if your going to use the 110grn V-Max or 125grn BT?

P44

 

[wildcat]

P44, I will be using both. I will load the 110grn V-Max for shots from 100 to 500 and the 125grn BT for shots from 500 to 1000 yards. Richard said the 125grn BT is performing very well. He said the 125grn BT is so accurate out to 800 yards, it's awesome to shoot and watch. He also said it's deadly at that range aswell.

W.

 

[Patriot44]

I am looking forward to hearing how the 300 Varminter performes for you. I hope you show us picks as soon as you receive it.

P44.

 

[lerch]

I bet he is a great smith, i bet he builds one hell of a rifle, and as a guy who used to shoot a 125BT on pdogs from a 300RUM I know how much they pop and can completely mist a dog.

In no way am i diminishing his skills as a smith or his guns but the bottom line is if you shoot this load against a load of a gun shooting a high BC bullet at any distance past 500 or 600yds with about as much as a mouse farting along the bullet flight path you will see why a high BC bullet wins the race.

Again i aint trying to start this argument over again and i am sure this will be a great gun when ever you get it but as a guy whole "little bitty bullet going super fast thing" i have learned my lesson.

For what you are doing i bet the gun will be great, just dont let the wind blow.

hope you like your gun and happy shootin

 

[wildcat]

Lerch, sure a better BC bullet will fly better, but will it kill. Also, in regards to windage, all I have to do is turn the windage knobs on my NXS scope. I would rather give up some BC than kill power.

However, if I am going to shoot past 800 yards, I will go to another rifle that is set up around a VLD type bulet and fast twist barrel. But if I am going to be shooting from 100 to 800 yards, I want maximum kill power and this rifle is built for that purpose. I have had too many varmints crawl back into their hole and larger varmints, like coyotes, get away.

Lerch, I know you said you used a 300RUM with a 125grn BT, however, was your 300RUM rifle specifically built around that bullet? was your barrel twist set up for the 125grn Bullet? The 300 Varminter is SPECIFICALY set up around the 110grn V-Max and 125grn BT with a slow twist barrel, that's why this set up works so well.

I will post a drop chart for the 300 Varminter.

W.

 

[BountyHunter]

Wildcat

PM me.

BH