With all the good Gunsmiths in the country. They should start building a few. They could build a special rifle with all their talent. Tell us on this forum how it is shooting. Put a price on it with the same deal Bill Calfee gives. If you don't like it send it back. Word of mouth will sell these rifles if they shoot. It would be great for people looking for a great shooting rifle with all the tuning and ammo selection taken care of.
"Spec Rifles"
- Thread starter GordonE
- Start date
Quality
Gordon:
Every smith that I have dealt with will do the same thing, only at no charge.. The problem I've seen in the past, is every time someone sent a rifle back to Calfee because they weren't happy, were charged for additional testing time and ammo the Bill used in the remakes. That's why you don't see many winning Calfee rifles at most Texas Ranges. Those same rifles were rebuilt by Bill Myers, now shoot excepionatley well. It still falls on the shooter to do their job, but we have a lot more shooters happy with Myer's guns, than we do with Calfee's
Gordon:
Every smith that I have dealt with will do the same thing, only at no charge.. The problem I've seen in the past, is every time someone sent a rifle back to Calfee because they weren't happy, were charged for additional testing time and ammo the Bill used in the remakes. That's why you don't see many winning Calfee rifles at most Texas Ranges. Those same rifles were rebuilt by Bill Myers, now shoot excepionatley well. It still falls on the shooter to do their job, but we have a lot more shooters happy with Myer's guns, than we do with Calfee's
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Mad`
Guest
I ordered a spec. rifle, and it took a year to get it. It was worth the wait. But in no way does a gunsmith have guns sitting in the rack ready to sell.
There are some centerfire BR builders that have guns on the shelf but centerfire shooters seem more interested in barrel's than the launcher. Almost any ol' launcher will do.
Dale
There are some centerfire BR builders that have guns on the shelf but centerfire shooters seem more interested in barrel's than the launcher. Almost any ol' launcher will do.
Dale
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Mad5757
Guest
I ordered a spec. rifle, and it took a year to get it. It was worth the wait. But in no way does a gunsmith have guns sitting in the rack ready to sell.
There are some centerfire BR builders that have guns on the shelf but centerfire shooters seem more interested in barrel's than the launcher. Almost any ol' launcher will do.
Dale
There are some centerfire BR builders that have guns on the shelf but centerfire shooters seem more interested in barrel's than the launcher. Almost any ol' launcher will do.
Dale
Fred
Why put names on other gunsmiths. We all know who they are. They all will take a gun back but will you get your money back? With Bill Calfee spec rifles yuo don't like it you get your money back. just like you i have been at this long enough to have heard the pros and cons about most of them.
My point is if more of them built some Spec rifles. Shooters might have a better chance of getting the gun of their dreams. No more no less.
Why put names on other gunsmiths. We all know who they are. They all will take a gun back but will you get your money back? With Bill Calfee spec rifles yuo don't like it you get your money back. just like you i have been at this long enough to have heard the pros and cons about most of them.
My point is if more of them built some Spec rifles. Shooters might have a better chance of getting the gun of their dreams. No more no less.
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Pepper1079
Guest
Fred,
I have rifles built by Myers and Calfee. Both are exellent. I won guite a lot of matches with my Myers gun. I shoot a Myers sporter now. It helped me win the 3 gun at kettlefoot this past weekend. I bought a spec gun from Calfee and have been shooting it. I am about to learn the gun. Bill Calfee insisted that I should be pleased with the rifle before I paid him. He told me that if I was not pleased with the rifle, to return it and there would be no charge. That's hard to beat in todays world.
Jim
I have rifles built by Myers and Calfee. Both are exellent. I won guite a lot of matches with my Myers gun. I shoot a Myers sporter now. It helped me win the 3 gun at kettlefoot this past weekend. I bought a spec gun from Calfee and have been shooting it. I am about to learn the gun. Bill Calfee insisted that I should be pleased with the rifle before I paid him. He told me that if I was not pleased with the rifle, to return it and there would be no charge. That's hard to beat in todays world.
Jim
Exactly what is a "spec" gun? I keep seeing where someone says they ordered a "spec" gun, a "spec" gun is already sold before it's built, etc. etc. Is it like a "spec" house where the builder is speculating in the market and hopes to sell the house for a profit? Or is it something totally different?
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Rich In Kansas
Guest
Beau, I think it is like the old Fords, You could get any color as long as it was black. It probably makes it easier for Bill to make all his guns the same instead of building a custom gun to the customers specs. I still remember calling him back in 2000 about getting a new barrel for my Time. He had a lot of fun with that call, I didn't. Anyhow Butch took care of me and is my only gunsmith. Rich
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Bill Myers
Guest
Gordon,I guess that you northern boys do not get any info on whats going on in rimfire,I built such a Rifle,It was built to be sold,But before i would sell it,I shot it in the Hagerstown shoot & won the Meters championship with it,It is now in Texas & i am building another one exactaly like it,To be sold,. BILL
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M LOVAN SMITH
Guest
Hey Kirk,
Are You Gonna Have Anything Interesting For Sale?
Maybe Something That Could Turn A Poor Shooter, Such As
Myself, Into A "overnite Sensation"???
Smitty
Are You Gonna Have Anything Interesting For Sale?
Maybe Something That Could Turn A Poor Shooter, Such As
Myself, Into A "overnite Sensation"???
Smitty
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Brian_K
Guest
If anybody wants a “Spec” rifle, might be worth giving Butch Hongisto a call. He has built a rifle for me but due to it not been ready for the World Championships (for various reasons) and problems with changes in US law making it more difficult and vastly more expensive to ship to England I’m looking to get out of it and get my deposit back.
It’s a polished Kelbly Swindlehurst action, Broughton barrel, Jewel trigger, Harrell tuner, polished Kelbly rings set in a Shehane baby traker stock with “Indian Blanket” pattern.
Just one more tit bit, when Butch won the ARA championships it was with a Swindlehurst action number 14. Kelbly's apparently made this action especially for Butch and numbered it 1414.
I’m crying as I write this, but time to build and shipping costs have just gone through the roof.
If someone buys it let me know how you get on.
It’s a polished Kelbly Swindlehurst action, Broughton barrel, Jewel trigger, Harrell tuner, polished Kelbly rings set in a Shehane baby traker stock with “Indian Blanket” pattern.
Just one more tit bit, when Butch won the ARA championships it was with a Swindlehurst action number 14. Kelbly's apparently made this action especially for Butch and numbered it 1414.
I’m crying as I write this, but time to build and shipping costs have just gone through the roof.
If someone buys it let me know how you get on.
Last edited by a moderator:
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dankillough
Guest
GordonE,
I agree with you about the SPEC rifles, and I am the one that bought Mr. Bill Myers 1st spec rifle. It is a beautiful gun and shoots the wind better than any gun I have ever shot. Since I live in Texas, I need a gun that will shoot in the wind.
I believe that Mr. Bill is an exceptional gunsmith, and he does not get the credit he deserves. He is easy to get in touch with, he will get your gun back to you quickly, and he will build a gun for anyone. I just sent him my Turbo bolt to replace the firing pin on Monday and I just received it back today (Thursday). That means he recieved the bolt Tuesday, fixed it, and shipped it back on the same day. That is what I call service
Thank you Mr. Bill
I agree with you about the SPEC rifles, and I am the one that bought Mr. Bill Myers 1st spec rifle. It is a beautiful gun and shoots the wind better than any gun I have ever shot. Since I live in Texas, I need a gun that will shoot in the wind.
I believe that Mr. Bill is an exceptional gunsmith, and he does not get the credit he deserves. He is easy to get in touch with, he will get your gun back to you quickly, and he will build a gun for anyone. I just sent him my Turbo bolt to replace the firing pin on Monday and I just received it back today (Thursday). That means he recieved the bolt Tuesday, fixed it, and shipped it back on the same day. That is what I call service
Thank you Mr. Bill
GordonE,
I agree with you about the SPEC rifles, and I am the one that bought Mr. Bill Myers 1st spec rifle. It is a beautiful gun and shoots the wind better than any gun I have ever shot. Since I live in Texas, I need a gun that will shoot in the wind.
I believe that Mr. Bill is an exceptional gunsmith, and he does not get the credit he deserves. He is easy to get in touch with, he will get your gun back to you quickly, and he will build a gun for anyone. I just sent him my Turbo bolt to replace the firing pin on Monday and I just received it back today (Thursday). That means he recieved the bolt Tuesday, fixed it, and shipped it back on the same day. That is what I call service
Thank you Mr. Bill
Dang, You got a wind gun, the bolt fixed on the Turbo, that is impressive turn around, and I thought I may just have a advantage this weekend. I may as well stay home now. I think not, I'll see you Saturday for if I'm going to get a butt kicking it might as well be from my ammo man.
Les
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dankillough
Guest
w5i2n
I am speaking of Mr. Bill Myers, not Calfee.
I am speaking of Mr. Bill Myers, not Calfee.
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rottie290
Guest
Bill I can't be quiet any more. I just recieved a spec rifle. Bill did not want a payment until I was happy with the rifle. Yes he sent the rifle with no advance payment, and if I did not like the rifle he would pay to ship it back. Now who does that??? Even when I sent the payment he called me and asked if I happy with the way it shoots. Bill you made one old man very happy, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Joe T.
Joe T.
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jimfinn
Guest
Butch's Rifle
I had the luck to spend a few days last month with Butch Hongisto. Great guy and great family too.
I got to see the rifle that he built for Brian. I sure wish I had the dough, cause I'd but it in a heart beat. For one thing it is just flat out beautiful and it is the last Swindlehurst action (or at least very close to the last one, as they are going out of production). Plus Butch put his usual care into putting it together. So like Brian said, you might just want to give Butch a shout (hongisto@fidnet.com ). It is sitting there ready to go.
Jim
I had the luck to spend a few days last month with Butch Hongisto. Great guy and great family too.
I got to see the rifle that he built for Brian. I sure wish I had the dough, cause I'd but it in a heart beat. For one thing it is just flat out beautiful and it is the last Swindlehurst action (or at least very close to the last one, as they are going out of production). Plus Butch put his usual care into putting it together. So like Brian said, you might just want to give Butch a shout (hongisto@fidnet.com ). It is sitting there ready to go.
Jim
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Brian_K
Guest
And here's the lady in question
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w5i2n
Guest
How much is it? Mike
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Brian_K
Guest
You will need to contact Butch, he's the man selling it.