In late 2005 a member of this forum posted a question asking about "What is the best caliber for F Class". After signing his name, I noticed that no one was answering his question. It was because of his name. It wasn't an American name. It was a strange name. I sent him a private email talking about my 6.5/06 with a .290 neck and 35-degree shoulder. He sent a message back asking if I could send him some samples. I sent him the samples, and he was off and running.
A few weeks later he asked about a gunsmith, and I told him to contact Gordy Gritters in Iowa. Over the next few months, we emailed every few weeks and I made him a front rest, at no charge, to get him started. In the Spring of 2006 this shooter asked if I could make him some stainless-steel F Class feet? The shooting season had started and I went to Canada for a match. When I returned home, someone had stolen my lathe out of my garage! I went nuts trying to figure out who could have done it but never did find out. I emailed this shooter and explained to him what had happened and that I couldn't make the F Class feet for him. I had no insurance on the lathe or money to buy one. His response was, "let me know when you are up and running again." I explained to him that Viper International was done and I wouldn't be able to continue.
The next week a tractor trailer pulled into my driveway with a new lathe and a note saying: Shop warming present: and his name.
I called the number and got him on the phone and with tears in my eyes I asked him, Who are you and why did you do this?
His answer still rings in my ears and gives me chills to this very day. He said: Bob, in 25 years of business, YOU are the first person to offer to help me without asking for something in return!
I made his F Class feet and later that Summer, I got to shake his hand at the Nationals in Sacramento. This was his first time shooting past 300 yards. He finished in 11th place, one place in front of me.
To this very day he is still My Friend Shiraz.
