Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats David Miller Rifles

Do any rifleman here shoot a David Miller Marksman or Classic? I've read a lot about the rifles he builds, especially from Craig Boddington. Seem to be top notch...and top dollar too.

Closest I got was buying and reading Tom Turpin's book Mastery of Wood & Metal; David Miller Co.

jim

That didn't convince you to buy a couple?

Beautiful rifles! Way out of my pocket book range.
Butch

+1

The closest I have come is looking at them at his booth at the SCI convention in Reno Nevada. Last January he had about 10 of his rifles displayed at his booth. Really didn't want anyone picking them up and looking at them though (unless you indicated you wanted to buy one).

They are very lovely rifles for sure. But underneath all that beauty lies a very common Model 70 Classic action.

I live in Tucson and have visited Dave's shop many times. Kurt Crum and Dave Miller are great guys. There is much more to their rifles than what one can see from the outside. Those "very common classic model 70 actions" are actually their design. They were commissioned to create the modern CRF model 70s. They get their actions in the white and do their thing to them. They use their trigger, floorplate and guard. The actions are trued and reworked to perfection. I have personally seen the interesting jigs and fixtures they use for some of the custom work. Some really interesting stuff.

Three things that I have not heard of or seen elsewhere are: different heat treatments of the two pcs on the cocking mechanism for better wear characteristics, a special very tiny floorplate locking lever preventing the floorplate from ever opening during recoil (a feature on their dangerous game rifles) and the way they attach the grip cap. They have a threaded stud that is attached to the grip cap and piece that fits into the stock from inside. It pulls the stud and cap up and into place making a clean yet strong way to hold the grip cap in place.

The custom scope mount is the very stout yet stunningly beautiful.


The bottomline? Their rifles are very reliable yet beautiful.
Enough said.

I could live happliy ever after with a triple play from them in 22-250AI, 300 H&H and 375H&H. Wonderful guns, exceedingly well thoughtout and executed.

Here's something to tease you guys with.

TT

Hi Tom,

Bet you could fill this thread with many pages with your pics of Miller rifles. We met at Pima pistol club when you Dave and Curt were there. I have one of your books Dave had you sign for me, never thanked you.

Ross

I've read articles about Miller's rifles in Precision Shooting, The Varminr Hunter, Rifle Shooter...probably every magazine I've read. I read Mr. Miller's passion was Coues deer hunting, and he finally got tired of taking sub-par (to him) rifles afield and decided to build his own to hunt Coues with.

Could never see myself taking one of those out and huntin hard with it. They are beautiful to look at though.

Wow! True works of art by one of the great masters.

RdFinn,

There is a rifle you would take to the field. It is called the Marksman. It has a laminate stock and more subdued metal work, a workhorse long range hunting rifle. Favorite chambering is the 300 Weatherby.

Azshooter,

This rifle with its uncheckered laminated stock is not that attractive to me.



It looks heavy with the weakness of wood. If I had a 'custom' rifle made up with a 'wood' stock it would be fine walnut. In fact thats what I like.

Also the fluted barrel is of no advantage, it just costs more. I see holes in the end of its barrel, perhaps a brake? I don't want brakes on my rifles either.

To each his own and that rifle is one that I have no room in the safe for.

By gosh, I'd have room in my safe for it! That laminated wood stock makes it impervious to the elements like a synthetic...with the feel of real wood. 300 Weatherby, 6.5-20 Leupold w/AO, that stud one piece base/bottom ring half mount, fluted barrel to lighten it some while maintaining stiffness, and the other things Miller does to em' truly does make it a workhorse long range hunting rifle that I'd love to have...just can't swing the coinage. What does it start at...about 30 grand?

Betting Dave Miller is right sad to hear that. I do hope he can find work when he closes his doors....

The Marksman I showed is one of many variants but it shows the basic theme. Dave told me he has many orders into the future. It is not my place to say how far. Many of the orders are repeat customers. I am sure TT could add to this.

I remember reading about those many years ago. Seems some folks here don't like laminates, but I'm not one of them. I'll bet those aren't cheap.

I can't afford to own any DM rifles, but I've met both Miller & Curt Crum at shows & seen some of their work 1st hand.

All I can say is that it's impeccable.........I don't think anyone really does it better but everyone's taste is unique.

MM