Axe job....

[Preacher]

Preacher, are you trying to make a weight class with all those vents??!! Very nice job!! I've done a few blanks in my time and it all takes a bit more time than most people are willing to pay for ;D, LOL !!

I won't steal Preacher's thread, but you wouldn't believe the high powered cartridge that stock is supporting!!! He does do awesome work.

Go right ahead and steal it Dave, it is your stock after all....I'll bet the good folks on here would like to hear about that high powered monster of your's....

 

[Waskawood]

Pierce Action chambered by Preacher in 17 VHA.

223 Rem. and 17 VHA for comparison.

The 17 VHA is based on the 4.6X28 HK case necked down to 17 caliber. I hope 9 grains of 300MP doesn't split Preacher's masterpiece. There are numerous articles in the Varmint Hunter's Magazine about it. It shoots 20 gr. ballistic tips at 3850+ fps. Not too shabby with 9.? gr. of powder. My intentions for this rifle are to plop down in the middle of a PD town with my swivel bench and shoot prairie dogs. I also thought it would be a nice platform to test the accuracy of the cartridge. If I like the little round as well as I think, I plan to build a more practical rifle that I can carry. I really want to thank Preacher for his patience with me through this project as it was my first custom build.

 

[pacificman]

That's an Awesome rifle there man!!! Looks like you would be able to shoot that round all day for very little cost with big performance. I believe you have picked a winner! Glad to be able to see the final outcome.

 

[MNFinn]

Dang PreacherMan! That is classic old world craftsmanship and elbow grease. You never cease to amaze us!


Rod

I second this whole heartedly

 

[NateHaler]

A dull winter morning, and a few photo's to think about..

A little work with the hand axe, after a trip through the band saw...

This picture reminds me of a "fully inletted" stock, requiring only "finish sanding" that a buddy bought from Richards Microfit. It was so rough that we ultimately burned it in my fireplace, and my buddy is a woodworker who builds his own canoes! Of course that was maybe 10 years ago.

Nice work Preacher. The Woodwright would be proud (check him out on PBS, fellow forum members, if you haven't seen his show. Dude is often huffing and puffing from working so hard!)

 

[GerryM]

That's called TALENT"

 

[Waskawood]

That's an Awesome rifle there man!!! Looks like you would be able to shoot that round all day for very little cost with big performance. I believe you have picked a winner! Glad to be able to see the final outcome.

Thanks pacific. Knowing Preacher and how he built it is what makes it special. It is one of those pieces that every time I handle it, I will think of Bruce.

Preacher: Nice article in todays Daily Bulletin.

 

[NorCalMikie]

You guys that know Preacher, better get his autograph NOW. He'll be so famous he won't have time to talk to you.
And leave it to Bruce to come up with another BEAUTIFUL project. Another job WELL DONE! 8)

 

[teele1]

now thats CRAFTSMANSHIP

 

[hogpatrol]

"CNC? Where is my CNC? We don't need no stinkin' CNC."

Beautiful work Preacher. Talent and skill that doesn't come from just buying the best tools and reading a book. You got it.

 

[Grimstod]

This is Awesome work preacher! You are very talented.

 

[L.Sherm]

Man! if I omly had those kind of patience and talent

 

[Dgd6mm]

Preacher, you Sir, are a TRUE CRAFTSMAN !

 

[Nomad47]

Preacher is building a 6SLR for me as I write this. I sent him a McMillan stock for the project. But had I known about the magic he can perform on a chunk of wood........

 

[JoelRusso]

Very impressive my friend.

In today's world of high technology, CNC milling machines, CNC lathes and such, we lose track of what true craftsmanship really is. Experience has taught me, that it's far easier to write a inlet/profile program for the CNC, than it is to craft a stock by hand.

Old school methodology has gone by the wayside along with customer service. It's enlightening to see that men like Preacher offer both.

The "value" of that stock is far more than what was paid for it, maybe that's why the owner said every time he looks at the stock, he thinks of Preacher...

 

[sdean]

Joel you are right about Value. Bruce made a laminate savage 99 stock for me. Whenever I look at that gun I remember the progress pictures he sent me. The stock in his lap and just a rasp and hammer and chisel and shavings. Amazing what I got out of that. I also appreciate the the perfect everything and beautiful piece of wood you picked for me. My 2 favorite guns. Thanks to both of you.
Stephen

 

[JoelRusso]

Your welcome Stephen, glad you liked it. That's the difference between an off the shelf stock , and a custom. Keep that boat straight... ;D

 

[katokoch]

Preacher- WOW awesome stuff! I love the mix of hand tool craftsmanship and high precision tech. I've got an old photo saved of a stockmaker hacking at a blank with a hewing axe but his name is escaping me- I never thought I'd see one in this century! I personally don't believe it's patience that gets stock work done with hand tools, rather a LOT of determination and elbow grease. Thanks for the pics!

-Evan Koch

 

[Nomad47]

Somebody buy my Savage switch barrel so I can have Preacher build me another rifle. This time with one of his stocks.

 

[gotcha]

Having rasped and shaped a few pre-inletted blanks I'm really in awe of your work. Unlike me, you are obviously a Master. Thanks for sharing.