David P. Herne
Well-Known Member
Gentlemen,
Until relatively recently, I never considered the influence on accuracy of certain variables in rifle construction. Then I called a riflesmith to which our 'Godfather' Len Backus referred me (John Geiges of Younges Island, S.C.) and began to hear compelling arguments for the merits of mass vs. rigidity in the components incorporated into a rifle as well as the single shot vs. the repeating action. Before meeting John, I'd never considered using either a massive, benchrest-type, single shot action nor a massive stock having so many of the features of a benchrest stock in a rifle. Indeed, when I called John to discuss having him build a rifle for me, I had a Dakota Arms or HS Precision action and a McMillan A-2 or M40 stock in mind. Of course, John saw that accuracy - particularly at great distances - was my supreme concern. So he fiercely asserted his opinion that a more massive, single shot action and thicker stock (particularly through the action/bedding area) would be necessary in order that I might achieve my aims (no pun intended). Of course, John wanted to use a Nesika Bay Precision Model L action, which is much more massive than either of the actions I had considered, despite my concerns that these action have receivers made of stainless steel, a metal much softer than the 4140/4340 chromoly of which Dakota Arms and HS Precision actions are hewn. Also, John wanted to use a McMillan McHale stock by virtue of the fact that these are significantly thicker/deeper through the action/bedding area than either of the stocks that I had considered. In the end, I gave John my blessing in light of the fact that he has been in the business of custom riflesmithing for some 25 years, to to my delight, he produced a rifle for me that consistently shoots ragged holes off the bench at not just 100 yards, but 200 yards! Later, I took John's rifle to a local riflesmith (Pete Pieper of Hempstead, TX) whom I've known for years but never approached about doing a project for me. He admitted to feeling a bit betrayed and probably in part due to his bad feelings boasted that he could take the action out of the Dakota Arms sporter rifle I already had and with one of the aforementioned stocks (an A-2 or M40) build a rifle that would shoot just as accurately as John's work. Three months later Pete called and told me to come and pick up the rifle. And guys, the stick shoots just as well as John's, despite its being a lighter, repeating actioned rifle. NOTE: BOTH OF THESE RIFLES HAVE HART BARRELS OF THE SAME CONTOUR AND LENGTH AND BOTH ARE 7MM DAKOTA MAGNUMS!!!!!
How say you, gentlemen?!?!
Regards,
D.H.
[ 11-24-2002: Message edited by: Houston Boy ]
[ 11-24-2002: Message edited by: Houston Boy ]
[ 11-24-2002: Message edited by: Houston Boy ]
Until relatively recently, I never considered the influence on accuracy of certain variables in rifle construction. Then I called a riflesmith to which our 'Godfather' Len Backus referred me (John Geiges of Younges Island, S.C.) and began to hear compelling arguments for the merits of mass vs. rigidity in the components incorporated into a rifle as well as the single shot vs. the repeating action. Before meeting John, I'd never considered using either a massive, benchrest-type, single shot action nor a massive stock having so many of the features of a benchrest stock in a rifle. Indeed, when I called John to discuss having him build a rifle for me, I had a Dakota Arms or HS Precision action and a McMillan A-2 or M40 stock in mind. Of course, John saw that accuracy - particularly at great distances - was my supreme concern. So he fiercely asserted his opinion that a more massive, single shot action and thicker stock (particularly through the action/bedding area) would be necessary in order that I might achieve my aims (no pun intended). Of course, John wanted to use a Nesika Bay Precision Model L action, which is much more massive than either of the actions I had considered, despite my concerns that these action have receivers made of stainless steel, a metal much softer than the 4140/4340 chromoly of which Dakota Arms and HS Precision actions are hewn. Also, John wanted to use a McMillan McHale stock by virtue of the fact that these are significantly thicker/deeper through the action/bedding area than either of the stocks that I had considered. In the end, I gave John my blessing in light of the fact that he has been in the business of custom riflesmithing for some 25 years, to to my delight, he produced a rifle for me that consistently shoots ragged holes off the bench at not just 100 yards, but 200 yards! Later, I took John's rifle to a local riflesmith (Pete Pieper of Hempstead, TX) whom I've known for years but never approached about doing a project for me. He admitted to feeling a bit betrayed and probably in part due to his bad feelings boasted that he could take the action out of the Dakota Arms sporter rifle I already had and with one of the aforementioned stocks (an A-2 or M40) build a rifle that would shoot just as accurately as John's work. Three months later Pete called and told me to come and pick up the rifle. And guys, the stick shoots just as well as John's, despite its being a lighter, repeating actioned rifle. NOTE: BOTH OF THESE RIFLES HAVE HART BARRELS OF THE SAME CONTOUR AND LENGTH AND BOTH ARE 7MM DAKOTA MAGNUMS!!!!!
How say you, gentlemen?!?!
Regards,
D.H.
[ 11-24-2002: Message edited by: Houston Boy ]
[ 11-24-2002: Message edited by: Houston Boy ]
[ 11-24-2002: Message edited by: Houston Boy ]
