Rimfire Benchrest rifles (Calfee SPEC rifles)

[Grove Gary]

Everyone who has competed in 22 rimfire has lost a true artist of a gunsmith – Bill Calfee. Bill’s innovations created our game and propelled it forward every year. Hoke Kerns introduced me to Bill in the 90’s and we became friends immediately; we talked every day about the sport of rimfire for years. Bill had health problems that he worked right on through his whole life. There is no telling how many Calfee rifles have won or placed in matches over the years. If you have not seen one of his XP-100’s you need to see one and hopefully be able to shoot it. Have you ever heard of BR50? Bill was there. This sport has benefited so much from his steady hand for refining actions to introducing new barrels and actions.

You never stayed on the phone long with Bill, unless he had a story to tell or tell you about shooting some new test Lots. He could get excited and tell me who and how many bullets someone could buy. He was a treasure and will be missed by all.
Rest Easy My Friend,

Bob Collins

Bill built a rifle with a Broughton barrel I had purchased from Tim which shot really well. Either you or Bill acquired a sister barrel and he built you a rifle with it. I shot a 2500 with it at a Borden match 5/5/07. Still have the rifle and target signed by Bill, Steve Turner, Susanne, Kirk Gaston, and many others. Kirk tried to purchase it that Day..Said he would call my wife if I didn’t sell it and would tell her how much I turned down. Those were the days, Cabin Mike, Meadows and the southern Indiana crowd. That sure was a good couple lots of Tenex.
Gary Grove

 

[Cabin Mike]

Bill built a rifle with a Broughton barrel I had purchased from Tim which shot really well. Either you or Bill acquired a sister barrel and he built you a rifle with it. I shot a 2500 with it at a Borden match 5/5/07. Still have the rifle and target signed by Bill, Steve Turner, Susanne, Kirk Gaston, and many others. Kirk tried to purchase it that Day..Said he would call my wife if I didn’t sell it and would tell her how much I turned down. Those were the days, Cabin Mike, Meadows and the southern Indiana crowd. That sure was a good couple lots of Tenex.
Gary Grove

Gary, glad to see your post. I was there and watched you shoot the 2500, it was very clean with nothing even close to needing a plug. A fantastic target. Those were great times with very competitive shooters and great friends.
Mike Sherrill
"Big Dog"
"Black Death"

 

[Rimfireshooter]

A brief Calfee rifle update...

At the indoor Nationals this past weekend, an original Calfee rifle (Riding with the King) won the tournament. The shooter Todd James shot three 2500's on his first three cards. It's Fred Sears rifle, and both he and Todd shot the rifle in the Tournament. Todd came in first, Fred came in second. Congrats to both men and to Mr. Calfee for creating the rifle they used in the Tourney. Right ammo, right rifle, right conditions, right drivers... It's nice to know his rifles are still capable...

 

[Tomsher]

I’m very pleased you guys are sharing information about Marcia. I‘d like to compile the most complete history possible.
Many thanks to all involved

Spec 8, some history!
Tom McQueen is the original owner.
We use to have 3 clubs that shot ARA in Western NY and Tom would shoot all the local matches.
He also shot 3 or 4 Indoor Nationals at the Barn and one at Chickenfoot.
I bought Spec 8 after Tom passed away about 2 years ago.
The paint on the stock was in terrible shape, some of the letters in Marcias name were missing and a medal wedge that was glued to
the bottom of the stock to make it straight line was missing.
No one knows what happened to the medal piece.
I had it repainted close to the original color.
It didn’t shoot as well as my Trident with the ammo that I had and I didn’t want to get into an ammo hunt for a 2nd rifle.
I’m not into collecting guns so I sold it.