Stolle Panda switch barrel

[Browne9076]

Going to list my father in law’s long range ground hog rifle next week. Almost 60 years of hunting in South Central Ohio. Could list over 20 rifles he had over the years, specifically for hog hunting. This was his last custom build before his health stopped him in 2002.

Action and barrel work done by Kelbley’s. He provided the barrels so Kelbley’s name is not on them. McMillan marble molded stock. Believe he bedded the barreled action himself but unsure. Leupold 24X BR scope with custom “Premier Reticle” reticle with 3 additional dots for elevation. Custom hand dies, lots of brass and loaded rounds. Load data and targets for 6x284 barrel. 22-243 Middlestead barrel has no load data or targets, believe he was working on a accuracy load when his health took a turn. The family found 4 3-ring binder’s dating back to 1983. Surprisingly none for Middlestead. Last barrel is a 6PPC with dies but no brass, rounds or load data and believed to be unfired.

This was his dream rifle. Looking for thoughts and comments on his build. Will probably be listing next week for sale.

 

[mikeinct]

If only I was so organized.

 

[7315br]

I'm not sure exactly what kind of comments you are looking for, but to me that is a pretty standard (well done) Panda build. I've had several through the years in all three calibers you are showing. Currently my favorite is a Panda 22-243 Imp. Mine is not the Middlested version, but does has a 30* shoulder. The targets you show are pretty typical for this round. It is the most accurate rifle I own at this time. If I were you I'd find out what twist the barrels are, as you are probably going to be asked when you put it up for sale. Looking at the 22-243 targets I'd say it is a slower twist barrel than mine (60 gr bullets used in this one). Mine is a 7.7 twist and handles the heavier ELD-M (75gr-80 gr) bullets very well. I use mine strictly for long range PD's beyond 700 yds. It does well for that type shooting. The 6-284 and the 22-243 Imp are not known for long barrel life (800-1000 rds). The 6PPC is much better. Having the dies is a "BIG" help in this current market. Good luck with your sale. It looks like a nice one.

 

[Browne9076]

I'm not sure exactly what kind of comments you are looking for, but to me that is a pretty standard (well done) Panda build. I've had several through the years in all three calibers you are showing. Currently my favorite is a Panda 22-243 Imp. Mine is not the Middlested version, but does has a 30* shoulder. The targets you show are pretty typical for this round. It is the most accurate rifle I own at this time. If I were you I'd find out what twist the barrels are, as you are probably going to be asked when you put it up for sale. Looking at the 22-243 targets I'd say it is a slower twist barrel than mine (60 gr bullets used in this one). Mine is a 7.7 twist and handles the heavier ELD-M (75gr-80 gr) bullets very well. I use mine strictly for long range PD's beyond 700 yds. It does well for that type shooting. The 6-284 and the 22-243 Imp are not known for long barrel life (800-1000 rds). The 6PPC is much better. Having the dies is a "BIG" help in this current market. Good luck with your sale. It looks like a nice one.

Thanks for your reply,
The 6-284 and Middlestead are both 1:12 twist and 28” long. 87 gr vmax and 60 gr vmax. The 6PPC is a 1:15.
245 documented rounds thru the 6-284 including fire formed cases.
Would estimate the same for the Middlestead but no documentation.

Going to ask $4100. Jim Kelbley estimated $3700-$3900. Wonderful gentlemen to talk with.

 

[Browne9076]

I guess I’m looking for a varmint hunter’s perspective In this forum. Father in law’s dream rifle after 50+ years of ground hog hunting. His first custom was in 1985 and this was his last in 2000. He paid a little less for this build than he did for their house in 1955.
Lots of knowledge is needed for such rifles. He gave me a 40x custom build in 2004. He taught he how to make the 240 PSP and 22 BR cases. Time spent with him was priceless.
Accurate shooter is one of the highest end site for professionals. Also for the novice that dreams. I’m looking for options of the dreamers with their 22-250’s. But the knowledge to and skill to feed this thoroughbred. What is this worth to them and what could they comfortably pay. Not looking to sell on this forum. Just looking for information.

Didn’t realize last response would be posted here. Live and learn.

Family would like rifle to go to a good home.

Please like if you read this post, positive or negative. Just curious to see. PM me a message with dreamers comments. Would love to read.
Just noticed you can’t like, only to responses. Feel free to comment if you would like. Sold several rifles on this forum for my mother in law. Enjoyed every sale and all conversations.

Robert Browne

 

[WyleWD]

THAT is one beautiful rifle. With the story behind it, it would be emotionally hard for me to sell. Good luck with selling it and sincerely hope you get your price out of it and it goes to an appreciative buyer. WD

 

[expiper]

who was your father in law ??--Roger

 

[Browne9076]

who was your father in law ??--Roger

John Kmetz. Lived in Mansfield Ohio his whole life. Most of his ground hog hunting was South of Loudonville. His favorite farm was the Staats Brothers.

 

[Browne9076]

THAT is one beautiful rifle. With the story behind it, it would be emotionally hard for me to sell. Good luck with selling it and sincerely hope you get your price out of it and it goes to an appreciative buyer. WD

Thank you.
He gave many of his standard caliber rifles to family members. All with Leupold scopes and 4 were Cooper single shots. The red/yellow stock is the 40x he gave to my wife, his daughter. Other photo is of 4 of the 6 that I was asked to sell to recuperate funeral expenses.

Thanks again for your time sir.

 

[Browne9076]

Any thoughts on GunBroke.com. Sold one rifle there but paid a fee. Also got stuck with the taxes. Live and learn. 224 Clark barrel was toast anyway. They seem to get the best prices though.

 

[davidjoe]

Any thoughts on GunBroke.com. Sold one rifle there but paid a fee. Also got stuck with the taxes. Live and learn. 224 Clark barrel was toast anyway. They seem to get the best prices though.

That’s a nice set of rifles. As they are single shot actions with specialized caliber choices and flat fore end stocks, this probably is your audience. GunBroker is where I’d look for an out of production factory rifle but not where I would look for an accuracy oriented rig, and if I saw one there I’d be reluctant about it, for being passed over or having a latent problem the general buying market might not notice or care about.

It’s a tough economy right now, with people conserving the components and dollars they have. Consider also though, in your asking price, that there will likely be a lot of rifles very similar to these coming onto the market, for a variety of reasons.

 

[Browne9076]

That’s a nice set of rifles. As they are single shot actions with specialized caliber choices and flat fore end stocks, this probably is your audience. GunBroker is where I’d look for an out of production factory rifle but not where I would look for an accuracy oriented rig, and if I saw one there I’d be reluctant about it, for being passed over or having a latent problem the general buying market might not notice or care about.

It’s a tough economy right now, with people conserving the components and dollars they have. Consider also though, in your asking price, that there will likely be a lot of rifles very similar to these coming onto the market, for a variety of reasons.

Thanks for your input. This is a unique and sad situation. I’ve been depositing sale funds in her account through her youngest son. He is a colonel in the Air Force. If I told her that I got $500 for this rifle she would say “why would someone pay that for an old gun”.

 

[WyleWD]

John Kmetz. Lived in Mansfield Ohio his whole life. Most of his ground hog hunting was South of Loudonville. His favorite farm was the Staats Brothers.

Small world. I've hunted their farms many, many times. They're great people. WD

 

[Browne9076]

Small world. I've hunted their farms many, many times. They're great people. WD

He passed away back in January. Married 71 years to his high school sweetheart.
Last hunted Statts and Kauffman farm with him in 2003. He just couldn’t do it any more.
Me was extremely impressed with the Middlestead we shot that day. I’d set up the bench and get everything ready. Then help him out of the car when time to shoot. Photo of his bench and grandson in the late 1990’s.

 

[WyleWD]

He passed away back in January. Married 71 years to his high school sweetheart.
Last hunted Statts and Kauffman farm with him in 2003. He just couldn’t do it any more.
Me was extremely impressed with the Middlestead we shot that day. I’d set up the bench and get everything ready. Then help him out of the car when time to shoot. Photo of his bench and grandson in the late 1990’s.

And last time I hunted that way a few years ago, I stopped at Kauffman's to tell him there was a cow giving birth to a calf that was coming backwards......... stayed to help him pull the calf. Just another day in the countryside. A few chucks, a new calf, a cow with a sore butt, and lots of memories. WD

 

[Browne9076]

And last time I hunted that way a few years ago, I stopped at Kauffman's to tell him there was a cow giving birth to a calf that was coming backwards......... stayed to help him pull the calf. Just another day in the countryside. A few chucks, a new calf, a cow with a sore butt, and lots of memories. WD

He never went to a farm without taking them something. Perch, steelhead, corn, berries, ext. They really like the moose meat from his trips to Alaska.

 

[Browne9076]

Going to list my father in law’s long range ground hog rifle next week. Almost 60 years of hunting in South Central Ohio. Could list over 20 rifles he had over the years, specifically for hog hunting. This was his last custom build before his health stopped him in 2002.

Action and barrel work done by Kelbley’s. He provided the barrels so Kelbley’s name is not on them. McMillan marble molded stock. Believe he bedded the barreled action himself but unsure. Leupold 24X BR scope with custom “Premier Reticle” reticle with 3 additional dots for elevation. Custom hand dies, lots of brass and loaded rounds. Load data and targets for 6x284 barrel. 22-243 Middlestead barrel has no load data or targets, believe he was working on a accuracy load when his health took a turn. The family found 4 3-ring binder’s dating back to 1983. Surprisingly none for Middlestead. Last barrel is a 6PPC with dies but no brass, rounds or load data and believed to be unfired.

This was his dream rifle. Looking for thoughts and comments on his build. Will probably be listing next week for sale.

Thanks to all that have responded. Still waiting to list this rifle. His 40x 3 barrel is becoming a tiresome chore to sell. Now listed at $1500 or offer. I work too much to list 2 rifles.