He's the guy who "invented" the short fat idea - which Winchester ripped off <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Naw - just stirring the pot - he is a writer and apparently a gun tinkerer of some ability.
I was thinking about this - not really being in the know - but I could see an instance where a guy has an idea and approaches a company to help develop it - an agreement is reached and then that company fails to uphold their end - perhaps on a royalty or some such thing.
Perhaps Rick went to Winchester with the WSM concept line or Winchester saw what Rick had done - offered some tweaking with powders avail to Win only or mfg changes and they agreed on a royalty or fee. Win (apparently) didn't hold up their end and Rick went after what was his and agreed on.
Seems a likely story as I just can not see a patent being the issue here --- some others would be lining up like crazy to say someone "stole" their wildcat.
I don't think we'll ever REALLY know.
