Getting a new guy started & some thank yous.

[Al Nyhus]

Mike, a friend of mine here in town expressed interest in getting into BR shooting....specifically IBS VfS. Mike is a long time shooter and reloader that has been involved in almost all areas of the shooting sports, including a stint as a nationally competitive IMSHA handgun shooter some years back. But he'd never messed with a true BR gun.

I suggested he get a good used rig with a proven performance history. I volunteered to round up a rifle, get him headed in the right direction and give him whatever help he needed so could get off on the right foot and avoid needless mistakes.

Friends Paul Tolvstad and James Lederer (from Rock Creek Barrels) knew I was looking for a gun and Paul called me from the Super Shoot. Hal Drake was there and had his BAT actioned 30BR for sale. Hal had won the 2008 IBS Score Shooter of the Year with gun, so the history was solid. Paul called me back several times after talking with Hal and ended up bringing the gun back to Wi. with him. From there, Paul shipped it to a local FFL for the paperwork.

Now, here's the scenario: Hal Drake (from Virginia)... sends a high dollar BR gun complete with NightForce scope from the Super Shoot (in Ohio)... back with Paul and James (to Wisconsin)...so they can send it some guy (in South Dakota) who Hal's never met (me)...so a buddy of mine can try it out and see if he likes it! Mind you, there hadn't been so much as a dollar exchanged in all of this.

After a few weeks of coordinating our vacation times, some family health issues and work schedules, I finally got Mike out with the gun this week on Tuesday eveing. I shot the gun initially to get a feel for it and then turned it over to Mike. With a little coaching on the windflags and me tuning, Mike rapped off a five shot .145.

To say he's hooked would be a bit of an understatement. And I had as much fun as he did.

Thank you Hal Drake, Paul Tolvstad and James Lederer. You guys have no idea how much your generosity and help has meant to Mike. Because of you guys, we've got a new shooter that will be attending registered matches in our area.

You guys rock. -Al

 

[Hal D.]

Aw shucks Al, this one was a no-brainer. You only need to spend a few minutes with either James or Paul to know they are solid characters. Rock Creek is lucky to have them. Paul told me that you had a buddy looking to get a turn-key rig, and that you had assured them that he was good to go. That's all I needed to hear. We have a tight knit group of shooters in this game, and I find it rare to come across one that I wouldn't trust. Best of luck to Mike and his new rifle.

 

[cut rifled]

Al,
I'm glad it all worked out and he's happy with the rifle. I never mind going out of my way to get someone new into benchrest shooting, that even meant selling my Hunter Class rifle to Bill Sargent at the Bud Pryor a few years ago and watching him beat up on everyone with it, I still haven't heard the end of that one til this day, but I got one more guy shooting Hunter Class and it was worth it. By the way we missed you at the WI state shoot last weekend.

Paul

 

[brian roberts]

Al, I love to hear scenarios related like.........

this, I've done that for guys and worked things out long distance between people before. It never ceases to amaze me, how "most" people, who would have to have a (written) contract, are incredulous when they hear something like this from the firearms community. Invariably, they start asking these almost breathless questions about honesty, etc. It amazes them that we do things on trust, on a word, fronting money for a friend, etc. is beyond their comprehension. I just LOVE relating tales like these to outsiders, because to watch and listen to them, for me, its entertainment. Good tale, thanks for sharing.