Calhoon still in business?

[OIF/OEF]

I was looking at a 19 Calhoon and cant get his website to come up. I think he has the market cornered on these right?

Can a .20 caliber bullet be swaged down to .19 caliber.

Thanks for any and all advice.

Very Respectfully

 

[dsandfort]

They may be working on the site or having a server issue. I talked to James just a week or so ago. Got some bullets from them. I have heard of someone swaging 20 cal bullets to 19 (can't remember where the thread was) but never 22 to 19. So far, I've had good luck getting 19's from them.

 

[OIF/OEF]

I changed my post .22 to 19 would be a little overkill lol.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Give him a call when you get the chance. He makes everything in his little garage/shop by his house. His wife makes all the 19 cal bullets by hand and machine one at a time. James is probably one of the nicest fellas you'll ever meet. I stopped by his house a couple years ago and he showed me his whole operation. He is very passionate about his business and is more than happy to answer any of your questions and then some. He also stocks a lot of the powders he likes to use with the Badger and Calhoon cases so dont forget to ask him about that if you need to get some. He actually has a lot of 20 cal bullets as well. The man lives and breathes varmint hunting. He also builds his own rifles from CZ actions with Pac Nor barrels and custom stocks that are available for purchase at a fair price.

His phone number is 406-395-4079

 

[arfinok]

Their website was up and running yesterday. And, yes, James is a nice person to deal with.

I did notice one thing had changed though. They no longer list Pac Nor barrels. The website now shows Benchmark barrels are being used. Kind of wonder what brought on this change.

RF

 

[Dvldawg]

I would guess the barrel change is a cost thing, both barrel makers are very good, I own a couple PacNor and 3 Benchmark and would not hesitate buying either one again..

 

[TAJ45]

Having picked up one of his rifles used a year ago or so, I have had i'net and phone confabs w/"James" and his wife. He told me he had sold the business last Fall, changeover around that time and maybe first of the year - I just don't remember. I was concerned about bullets and he said the buyer(s) were making them and would continue to do so. Supposedly a smooth transition was in the works. I don't think he'd have it any other way with the time and effort he has put into beating the .19 drum. The only thing I could "fault" him for was not offering any twists faster than 12. He is rabid, imo, about velocity and had same feedback from a fellow who'd known him, on much more than a casual basis, for years. He didn't want anything to detract from velocity.

He LOVES the Ford GT 40. Might own one by now if he didn't already. It seems they were on their way to a show or viewing with purchase in mind.......last summer/Fall iirc.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah last time I was there James already had the crate motor for his GT 40. It was sitting in the back of his little Ford Ranger. Told me he was planning on buying a "kit" car to put it in cuz the real thing would cost way too much.

Seems like fast cars and machinists/gunsmiths go hand in hand Les Baer comes to mind as well...

Just cant figure out how they can be so intelligent when it comes to machining and making firearms yet foolish enough to like Ford engines??? Lol ;D

 

[alintx]

I know. He only wants to work on that Ford engine when he WANTS to, not all the time like them government motors make you do all the time ! FORD ! Built without your tax dollars !!

 

[snert]

GM...govnt backed..so they only work about 1/3 the time, and only 1/2 speed, doing it badly as they go....

Just drove a Malibu with the stupidest feature. engine shuts off at every stop, then starts again when you let off the brake. Got lousy mileage anyhow. I thought that the GM engineers who made the Chevy Venture were all gone, but apparently that Jr-Hi team is still allowed to bring stupid ideas to market.

And this commentary from a 67 Firebird owner and life-long GM guy ( who hugely regrets keeping the F-bird but selling the 71 Cuda...

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I dont like GM anymore either. Used to be a GM guy til they took the government handout. Toyota is my game now. My Tundra was made in Texas. Its as American made as any Ford truck. Only difference is my Tundra will still be running strong long after all the same year GM and Ford trucks are scrap iron

 

[alintx]

Have to call you out on that one. My "03 scrap iron" power stroke with 321,000 miles on it will haul two toyotas on my gooseneck trailer from San Antonio to midland in less time than it would take to put a hitch in one Toyota. They may be fine for driving in the street, but won't cut it in the serious working mans world. Plus,a ww2 veteran will ride with me with his head up. Toys are made in Texas, but owned by those nice people who brought us pearl harbor , and assembled by semi Americans from the South. (pending papers) They will never get a dime from me, as i feel that's a kick in the cajones to every American that fought against them to secure our freedom. Two trucks in Texas, Ford and Tonka

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Have to call you out on that one. My "03 scrap iron" power stroke with 321,000 miles on it will haul two toyotas on my gooseneck trailer from San Antonio to midland in less time than it would take to put a hitch in one Toyota. They may be fine for driving in the street, but won't cut it in the serious working mans world. Plus,a ww2 veteran will ride with me with his head up. Toys are made in Texas, but owned by those nice people who brought us pearl harbor , and assembled by semi Americans from the South. (pending papers) They will never get a dime from me, as i feel that's a kick in the cajones to every American that fought against them to secure our freedom. Two trucks in Texas, Ford and Tonka

dang near every part on a Ford is made in Mexico. All GM trucks are Canadian. Ram trucks are Italian. Toyota Tundra has more parts on it that are outsourced to American manufacturers than any of the other trucks. If you're still whining about Pearl Harbor, time to grow up. Takes a bigger man to forgive and forget than it does to harbor anger and hatred.

Your Diesel to gas comparison is apples and oranges. However, Toyota has been in the diesel game for a very long time, just not in their American vehicles. Pretty much every Toyota you see in Europe and other foreign countries is diesel. Word is that in 2016 Toyota is planning on launching their diesel market in America as well. Their 1/2 ton tundra will have a Cummins diesel (which is American made). But for you big haulers, they're coming out with a 1 ton dually Tundra sporting an 8.0 Liter diesel powerplant that shouldn't have any problem walking all over the PowerJoke and DuraLax ;D

I hope you all understand I'm just bored and funnin round. All trucks are good machines if you take care of them properly
​​​​

 

[TAJ45]

Sorry friends, I just couldn't resist so I'm falling into the hi jack mode.

My '15 Outback gets better mileage ACTUAL, than the EPA stats. This is calculated, not the readout. It also is rated better with the AWD than the CRV and RAV has with 2wd......3800 lb car, 108 wheel base, lots of comfort and ground clearance for medium snow and muddy roads.

Porsche/Audi partnered with them on the boxer tech trade for their AWD set up. No more probs with the Subie 4 as in early 80's. Made in W. Lafayette, IN. The Eyesight collision avoidance feature was rated #1 for '15 by Consumers above Toy and Honda etc. It WORKS.

It's a global economy for sure. I thought the Dodge trucks were a Mexico product for the most part - I think they were abt 10 yrs ago. I've fallen behind on the Italiano angle with Fiat.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (OP's question)......anyone with any more info on Calhoun? ;-)

 

[Tommie]

Back to the original subject...

When it's all said and done, all the 19 caliber eggs are still in one basket. I love all the sub-calibers but relying on a single bullet source always shied my away from the 19's.

 

[Ackman]

Having picked up one of his rifles used a year ago or so, I have had i'net and phone confabs w/"James" and his wife. He told me he had sold the business last Fall, changeover around that time and maybe first of the year - I just don't remember. I was concerned about bullets and he said the buyer(s) were making them and would continue to do so. Supposedly a smooth transition was in the works. I don't think he'd have it any other way with the time and effort he has put into beating the .19 drum. The only thing I could "fault" him for was not offering any twists faster than 12. He is rabid, imo, about velocity and had same feedback from a fellow who'd known him, on much more than a casual basis, for years. He didn't want anything to detract from velocity.

He LOVES the Ford GT 40. Might own one by now if he didn't already. It seems they were on their way to a show or viewing with purchase in mind.......last summer/Fall iirc.

Hope the new owner keeps making them the same. Calhoons were (haven't shot any recent ones) very accurate. Wish they'd make .17's again because those shot as well as anything I've ever used.

 

[Hotshot]

HSM Stevensville, MT bought Calhoun. Bullet making will continue as well as the relationship with CZ. I would expect they will manufacture ammo as well. Look for an expansion of all things 19.