G'day guys,
I'm looking to get into Benchrest Group and Score with a centre fire having previously only shot rimfire comps. On the basis of buy once cry once I'm looking at a custom build 6mm PPC.
Any recommendations for a suitable gun-smith would be much appreciated. Especially if around the Newcastle area.
Many thanks
David
Hi David,
I'm not too sure if there is anyone that will do the complete gun out of Newcastle but if there is hopefully they will chime in.
Mark Tallar from Tamworth is now doing full time gunsmithing
You may need to get someone to do the barrel work and someone else to supply and fit the stock.
There is a few guys in Queensland like Phil Jones, David McKillop, Paul Sullivan who could probably help out. Steve Blaine makes stocks.
PM me if you need some contact details
John Babic
John B
Many thanks for the information. I will start following up with some of those names.
Best Regards
David H
David, we will always welcome a new benchrester!
You will find that most gunsmiths have long waiting times for complete builds. If they do really good work the word gets around, and they become more popular and the work builds up, and waiting times increase. My own gunsmith in SA is Jerome Ziersch (ZCR Custom Rifles) who does excellent work, but being very good at it means a bit of a wait. It is definitely worth it.
However, you may like to buy a good second hand benchrest rifle - they do come up for sale from time to time. Think in terms of a Stolle Panda or a BAT DS - you usually get one barrel and expect to pay upwards of $4000. If you buy brand new expect the rifle to cost you double that. Buy the best and only cry once. Same with scopes - March or Nightforce usually.
Barrels are very scarce at the moment, with no real end in sight.
Choose carefully and you will have a rifle that will last you for years.
Thank you, I'm beginning to understand the lag and unavailability of materials let alone the time taken for skilled professionals to work on those materials. I already have an email into Jerome in SA. I have also reached out to Paul Sullivan. In the meantime I'm open to anyone letting me know about second hand actions, triggers and barrels. I may not respond immediately as I often need some more experienced guidance. But thank You to any that do offer help.
Best Regards
David H
I have a new Bat DS rifle on the shelf if you want to send me a pm. Bat DS right hand stainless in a Kelbly SPG stock.
Cheers
D Kerr
I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly. Forgive me if not.
I'm tied up with Family stuff this weekend. But would be interested to have a chat and discuss with you on Tuesday.
If you let me have your telephone number or you can call me on 0431795259. I'm not a time waster but busy the next few days. Thanks for reaching out David
If anyone can contact David Kerr I would appreciate them doing so on my behalf to let him know I'm interested in the aforementioned rifle. I have tried to PM him but that facility appears to only work for paid up members. Please pass on my phone number to David and let him know I would appreciate a call.
Thanks in anticipation.
David Hansell
0431795259
Just to say thank you who ever contacted David for me. We have made contact and hopefully it will be beneficial for both of us.
Thanks Again
David H
That is excellent news David. Buy that rifle and you will have state of the art equipment. I would suggest however that if it is a light varmint, then see if David Kerr can supply and fit new Heavy barrel as well. In the benchrest game you might as well start off with what you will have to finish up with!!
Thanks Brendan, I will certainly have that conversation with David