Where are all the old Benchrest rifles?

[David Conder]

I have 4m hall actions an 1 B hall just sold 1 m

 

[jimcasey01]

I still have an oldie, built on a Teddy action. Not sure if any of the newer rifles are any more accurate.

 

[David Conder]

You know kelbys are going to run the LAST batch of Panda actions per Jim .

 

[nakneker]

As mentioned already it would be fun to see pictures and hear some history on these old benchrest rifles.

I always get a bit sad when a shooter passes and his room of treasures become objects. People don’t know the history of the rifle, the sentimental value, the time, energy and funds spent on those projects. The gun seems to lose part of its soul when the owner passes.

Some become family heirlooms, treasures that hold the hearts of posterity. Out of my seven children 3 of them are keenly interested in my firearms and reloading pile. I try and share as many stories with them about many of the pieces I’ve had over the years, some since I was boy. Other I grew up with, my grandpas old mossberg 22 mag he used solely for butchering hogs and beef, his old 303 British MK4, his old 722. My Dad’s number ones and pre 64s, plus a few others. Those are much more than just another gun to me, they mean a lot to me.

So I have to believe that many benchrest shooters have a strong connection to many of their rifles. It’s a good thread…. Where are they now and what stories could they tell?

 

[CaptainMal]

You know kelbys are going to run the LAST batch of Panda actions per Jim .

You know kelbys are going to run the LAST batch of Panda actions per Jim .

Seriously. Wondering why and what a shame.

 

[30EX]

I know of a mid 60's butter smoove R. W. Hart action that arrived at WSMNUT's shop yesterday.

Got a bunch of those

 

[ogre1911]

I have exactly one but it's as smooth as any new action with a light bolt in both directions.

 

[Richard Jones]

I have a Shilen DGA, #365 I believe, in 204 Ruger, that I purchased from a member here. Pretty sure it was smithed by Dan Dowling, or at least, rechambered by him. I've had it almost 9 years and have never fired it. Bought it for a granddaughter for when she gets big enough............. THAT's what you call an investment..............

But it's not a BR rifle. Perhaps it once was.............

 

[Krogen]

I have an ancient one. I think it's from the 1960's or 1970's. It's built on a Sako L-46 action. An L-46 single-shot action which isn't often seen. Laminated walnut stock and a 1 1/8" untapered stainless barrel. Originally it had a Redfield 3200 scope which I stupidly sent down the road. Unknown barrel maker. Chambered in .222 Remington, it may have been a winner in its day, but it was eventually sent out to pasture. In my possession, it has nailed lots of ground squirrels and rock chucks. That gun started my love for the 222 which has gotten out of control at times.

 

[AlNyhus]

A couple years ago, I took on the job of rejuvenating a vintage sleeved LV Rem 722 from the late '70's. It was in pretty tough shape, having been covered by multiple layers of a greyish green paint...sleeve and all.

I converted it to a bolt in and made some improvements along the way. I did some tracing of the history and it turned out it was built by a pretty well known shooter from the Northwest region. After it was done, the NBRSA magazine, Precision Shooter, ran a nice article on it.

Anyway, here's some pics of the progress and the finished product. As I was sanding the stock, the patina that came through was pretty cool. I suggested to the owner that I just do a matte clear on the gun.

 

[Hipshoot]

In all my travels and Gun Shows I have only seen one for sale. It was a Mauser military action with a chromed bolt and a solid wood stock (noy laminate) in if I remember right .244 Remington.

It was almost as ugly as Rosie O'Donnell !!!

Hip

 

[seagate]

In all my travels and Gun Shows I have only seen one for sale. It was a Mauser military action with a chromed bolt and a solid wood stock (noy laminate) in if I remember right .244 Remington.

It was almost as ugly as Rosie O'Donnell !!!

Hip

Now thats funny

 

[ogre1911]

This piece of history in my safe probably qualifies.

Shoot dogs with it.


View attachment 1724123View attachment 1724124View attachment 1724125

The 2nd P in PPC!

 

[AlNyhus]

This piece of history in my safe probably qualifies.

Shoot dogs with it.


View attachment 1724123View attachment 1724124View attachment 1724125

Dave, that's just tooooo friggin' cool!

 

[D Coots]

Thanks Al.

It was an 8tw BR when I acquired it. 6PPC now. Fun to shoot with the thumb hole stock.

 

[Evlshnngns]

I should take a vacation up near 'The Shooter Corner' just to see and handle some of these.
Thanks to all who are posting pics.

 

[jackieschmidt]

At this years Score Nationals, Mike Bryant and I were discussing that two of the rifles in the top five at 100 yards were shooting 30+ year old actions. One was his, the other mine.

In the past couple of years, I have built rifles on three Bat Neuvo Actions, which are supposed to be one of the latest in whiz bang modern tech.

I cannot make them shoot as well as either of my Farley’s, especially my Varmint for Score 30BR, which is just an antiquated right/left no eject 1996 Farley.

And it’s not for lack of trying.

So to answer the OP’s question, where are all of the older rifles? Many of us are still shooting them.

 

[swd]

In the past couple of years, I have built rifles on three Bat Neuvo Actions, which are supposed to be one of the latest in whiz bang modern tech.

My main F Open rifle is a Neuvo. A shooter at the last match asked me what the difference is between it and other Bat's. I replied about $600...

 

[Downhill]

I have two old school BR rifles bought from old timers of the sport. I love shooting them but can't get them to group like the original owners did ( and still do when I take them to the range)!