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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2008
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just another option, but have you looked at Rifles Inc?
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 477
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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Is the only reason you are looking at HCR the 3 shot guarantee? Seems like you know each component of the rifle you want, you could buy all the components and assemble yourself using a trusted gunsmith To screw the barrel in.
If you died tomorrow, what would you have done today ...
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,000
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,000 |
I don't understand why you would consider going back to Melvin since you had a bad experience with him. Would he even build you another rifle? I'm not putting you down,nor him either but I would think the last thing anyone would want was to use a gunsmith that they had already had issues with. Good post. Sounds like it would be a waste of time for both Melvin and the OP. I'd be looking at a lefty Tikka T3 lite... I was looking at one the other day and they are pretty damn slick. Everyone says they are shooters right out of the box too. They weigh a tiny bit less than my pre 64 model 70, but hey it's a Tikka... 
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,926
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
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HCR builds some nice rifles. Another suggestion - go talk to Ray Perry in Bridge City, TX. Ray will build what you want, cheaper and faster than HCR. He built me a Kimber 84m in 7mm-08AI. The rifle is flawless.
David
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,600
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2013
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Does the cooper 92 fit the perameters? I didn't read all the way through but I've been checking the new coopers and they look really good!cooper backcountry. I think it's a 92. What kind of weight are you looking at, scoped?
If at first you don't succeed; shoot, shoot again
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,097
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2007
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I've heard praises of his love for working with his customers, and was pretty shocked at the way he was handling the situation.
I was told later that he takes such great pride in his work that he has a hard time believing anything not working properly with
his rifles must be the customers fault or lack of ability.
Rifles costing several times more than a NULA can on occasion also have problematic issues; There was a Jerry Fisher custom mauser where the open sight fell off,- a Duane Weibe DGR mauser that failed to feed the next round on safari. but the real problem is when ANY gun builder starts to think he's infallible.
-Bulletproof and Waterproof don't mean Idiotproof.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 518
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I was treated the same way by Melvin with my .30-06 that would not feed. First time the rifle showed up it had a nice large scratch running down the barrel. Second time i received the rifle it was having feeding problems and was tired of dealing with a very rude person and wanted my money back. Funny Thing is i called him twice while waiting on my rifle, the first time i called he told me, i could get things done faster if people would quit calling to check on their rifles! I told him Would call my credit card co and get my money back so fing fast and hung up. He called back and apologizied, but that left a extremely bitter taste in my mouth. I cannot for the life of me understand that a person with business act like this. I treat people like i want to be treated and was blown away by what he told me, as he was so nice and helpful when i first called him to order the rifle!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,808
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
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First and second Nula were excellent. Third had an issue with a pin in the bolt that was out of spec and caused the bolt to stick. Only caused a problem with a round chambered. Discovered it working a dummy round, twice. Melvin couldn't believe it and we went around on it, twice. Finally, the light came on in his head and he said, "My fault, I know why." Fixed and another great rifle. I had to be willing to say horse chit something's wrong and we need to find out why. Wouldn't hesitate to have him do another.
Addition: I've been to his shop 4-5 times and his phone hardly stops going off. I work in the same type of environment. Trying to do something right and you are constantly interrupted by the phone and we have about 8 of them. Eventually, sometimes you lose your nice voice. In addition, like the internet, sometimes what you say is interrupted on the other end different than how you meant it.
Last edited by battue; 10/27/16.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,845
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,845 |
First and second Nula were excellent. Third had an issue with a pin in the bolt that was out of spec and caused the bolt to stick. Only caused a problem with a round chambered. Discovered it working a dummy round, twice. Melvin couldn't believe it and we went around on it, twice. Finally, the light came on in his head and he said, "My fault, I know why." Fixed and another great rifle. I had to be willing to say horse chit something's wrong and we need to find out why. Wouldn't hesitate to have him do another.
Addition: I've been to his shop 4-5 times and his phone hardly stops going off. I work in the same type of environment. Trying to do something right and you are constantly interrupted by the phone and we have about 8 of them. Eventually, sometimes you lose your nice voice. In addition, like the internet, sometimes what you say is interrupted on the other end different than how you meant it. He could either hire some one or use an answering machine so he wouldn't become a grouch.
"Only Christ is the fullness of God's revelation."
Everyday Hunter
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,685
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Maybe there isn't enough profit to allow another employee. Nobody's perfect, everybody has bad days. Dealing with pretentious pricks gets tiresome. I build custom homes.....I know.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
Serious question
Is there any reason a Kimber Montana with a trued action and a custom barrel,put together and bedded by a good competent smith,couldn't be just as accurate as a NULA? Wouldn't it be just as light also if someone was only interested in light and accurate?
I understand someone might want to get the NULA because of the stock shape,length,or to get a left hand version.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,721
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Clark, you're right and some of the ones we have have been plenty accurate as is too. I met Melvin in Nashville and was my pleasure to talk to him. I bet my friend and I spoke with him 30+min and it was our pleasure. I was going to order a 223AI from him but punked out when I picked up a factory Montana that shoots better than I can.
Not long ago I was telling a good friend about how a Nula would be the ultimate light deer rifle. He called him to order a 22" barreled 243 with either a timney or jewel trigger set at 2lb. He basically told my friend he was a idiot and only a fool would have a trigger that light and barrel that short.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Campfire Outfitter
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Maybe he is getting old and crotchety. A combination of getting old and getting tired of building rifles could explain these CS complaints.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,721
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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True. I'm sure he gets some very stupid questions too
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,808
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,808 |
Serious question
Is there any reason a Kimber Montana with a trued action and a custom barrel,put together and bedded by a good competent smith,couldn't be just as accurate as a NULA?
It could be, but I doubt on average it will be. Would the Kimber done right be more than adequate. Without a doubt.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
Serious question
Is there any reason a Kimber Montana with a trued action and a custom barrel,put together and bedded by a good competent smith,couldn't be just as accurate as a NULA?
It could be, but I doubt on average it will be. Would the Kimber done right be more than adequate. Without a doubt. What reason? Is the action stiffer or more inherently accurate in any way, or is it just that you trust that the experience and knowledge behind the NULA would result in a rifle built better? In other words,would the components be better in a NULA or just the craftsmanship?
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,845
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
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Maybe there isn't enough profit to allow another employee. Nobody's perfect, everybody has bad days. Dealing with pretentious pricks gets tiresome. I build custom homes.....I know. Do you use "voice mail" or an answering machine?
"Only Christ is the fullness of God's revelation."
Everyday Hunter
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,808
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,808 |
I would have to say the reason is Melvin's entire rifle is built dead nuts center to the bore. You can true up a factory rifle for the barrel, but that doesn't mean the rest of the action isn't twisted a tad.
Just an initial thought. Could be wrong.
Last edited by battue; 10/27/16.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,808
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,808 |
Maybe there isn't enough profit to allow another employee. Nobody's perfect, everybody has bad days. Dealing with pretentious pricks gets tiresome. I build custom homes.....I know. Do you use "voice mail" or an answering machine? Last time I saw him, he was still using a flip phone. He could have a smart phone now. Maybe, but I wouldn't bet on it, unless he had to.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I would like to own a NULA. If I get the cash I wouldn't be afraid of Melvin's egocentricity enough to keep me from buying one.
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