NickEllis
Member
A year ago we had quite a scare, with relocating back to the States just in time to welcome a very premature son into our family. We've fought hard to get out of debt, and after a couple major breaks at work and some really significant help from friends (notably a couple friends here on THR) we're back in the black. So we decided that as a reward I'd build a rifle to commemorate a tough year.
I started with a new Winchester M70 Alaskan in .375H&H. While the metal work was decent, and it shot well, I was under impressed by the fit and finish of the stock. So I contacted D'Arcy Ecoles, and he couldn't have been more helpful or gracious. He had a Legend stock in standard fill available, so he shipped it with crossbolts to Lee Christianson for the metal work.
Lee took did all the metalwork, replacing the factory barrel with a #3 Pac-Nor SS 5groove barrel cut to 23.25, profiling the barrel to fit the stock, did a little work on the trigger and other forms of dark arts.
As those Legends can be a project in themselves, D'Arcy suggested Hill Country Rifles of New Braunfels, Texas for the stock work. Matt Betterworth was exceedingly professional, performing the following instructions perfectly: crossbolts installed, inletting, pillar bedding, jeweling the bolt, recoil pad, swivel studs, metal bottom changed to a Pacific Tool and Gauge, all metal parts cerakoted to Graphite Black.
Finally, the stock went to McMillan for a paint job in olive with black speckle.
Matt Betterworth at HCR and Lee Christianson conspired to get me the rifle just in time for the opening day of elk/deer in Northern Idaho. Performance was a dream. I've never shot a more comfortable rifle, especially in .375H&H. Fit is perfect. Accuracy is terrific, well under MOA and with Barnes TTSX 250s this rifle is shooting little bugholes at 150.
Unfortunately, I took a long journey down a rockface in Idaho (note: never go down unscouted avalanche chutes); so the barrelled action went right back to Kampfeld Custom who was there in N. Idaho. Karl buffed out the scratches and refinished in Graphite Black. McMillan repainted the stock in its original colors.
Here’s the final product:
With a 2.5x8 Leopold B&C (with the Timney rings champfered slightly to fit the scope), weight is right at 8.5 lbs on the money.
Special thanks to H&HHunter here on THR for inspiring this rifle and helping in the learning process.
I started with a new Winchester M70 Alaskan in .375H&H. While the metal work was decent, and it shot well, I was under impressed by the fit and finish of the stock. So I contacted D'Arcy Ecoles, and he couldn't have been more helpful or gracious. He had a Legend stock in standard fill available, so he shipped it with crossbolts to Lee Christianson for the metal work.
Lee took did all the metalwork, replacing the factory barrel with a #3 Pac-Nor SS 5groove barrel cut to 23.25, profiling the barrel to fit the stock, did a little work on the trigger and other forms of dark arts.
As those Legends can be a project in themselves, D'Arcy suggested Hill Country Rifles of New Braunfels, Texas for the stock work. Matt Betterworth was exceedingly professional, performing the following instructions perfectly: crossbolts installed, inletting, pillar bedding, jeweling the bolt, recoil pad, swivel studs, metal bottom changed to a Pacific Tool and Gauge, all metal parts cerakoted to Graphite Black.
Finally, the stock went to McMillan for a paint job in olive with black speckle.
Matt Betterworth at HCR and Lee Christianson conspired to get me the rifle just in time for the opening day of elk/deer in Northern Idaho. Performance was a dream. I've never shot a more comfortable rifle, especially in .375H&H. Fit is perfect. Accuracy is terrific, well under MOA and with Barnes TTSX 250s this rifle is shooting little bugholes at 150.
Unfortunately, I took a long journey down a rockface in Idaho (note: never go down unscouted avalanche chutes); so the barrelled action went right back to Kampfeld Custom who was there in N. Idaho. Karl buffed out the scratches and refinished in Graphite Black. McMillan repainted the stock in its original colors.
Here’s the final product:
With a 2.5x8 Leopold B&C (with the Timney rings champfered slightly to fit the scope), weight is right at 8.5 lbs on the money.
Special thanks to H&HHunter here on THR for inspiring this rifle and helping in the learning process.
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