Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters JOC's 7x57

DigitalDan;
Good evening to you my cyber friend, I hope you folks had a good day and all who matter to you are well.

That's a wonderful arm there sir, thanks much to you and the others for sharing the photos, I personally enjoy seeing what stock makers have created.

I had to chuckle at your last post here as it reminded me of a couple stocks I made for bigger folks over the years.

The first one was a chap about 6'4" with a neck that a stork would envy... I had him try one of my rifles with a fair Monte Carlo on it and it fit him very well, but he'd read too many Jack O'Connor articles and wanted a "classic" which was what he chose.

When I got it all together for him without the scope on and we did a test fit, I said to him, "You sir are a candidate for high rings..."

The other one was for a chap who I never did meet in person. He was the Sargent of a LEO buddy of mine in a metropolitan service at the coast. Buddy said he was part First Nations, not very talkative and a really big guy.

He sent the parts out here with my buddy - a Model 70 barreled action and semi-inletted blank with some really nice figure. I called him to try to ascertain what the measurements might be and the conversation went thusly.

Me, "So my buddy X, says your a big fellow, just how tall are you?"

Him, "Pretty big yah"

Me, "Hmmmm, okay... well X says you wanted checkering too, what did you have in mind? Wrap around for the grip? Fore end in panels or wrap around? Any patterns you like or don't like?

Him, "Surprise me"



Honestly Dan, the only thing I got from the one conversation was that he absolutely wanted a maple wafer spacer on the rosewood fore end tip and grip cap... which I tried to talk him out of but that wasn't happening.

I finished it up, sent it with buddy back to him and heard he was thrilled with it, but still have no clue if it fits him.

Anyways, I'll note that I mentioned Model 70's and Jack O'Connor in the post so didn't totally drive the thread into the rhubarb, but I suppose we are in the ditch and I apologize for that.

All the best to you all regardless Dan.

Dwayne

The rifle is a custom 1909 Argentine Mauser , double square bridge, built by Dennis Erhardt in 7x57 of course , exquisite rifle, with nice discreet engraving etc. Belongs to a friend who thought I should take it to Africa...so I did!

I got a .416 R that Dennis built. What a jewel!

He does great work! My buddy had this one and a .404 built by Dennis likewise exquisite but fancier. My buddys grandson dropped the 7x57 putting the first little dings in it, so I said " I'll take that one to Africa!" Neidner style engraved buttplate which I covered with duct tape so I would mark it up sitting it repeatedly in the Namibian sand. It was a joy to handle and shoot, and hunt.

It generally doesn't take long, John.

''
Where do you think Jack O'Connor .... got the rifle from?

second off topic subject.... was JOC any relation to AOC?

Thats quite a friend. You have to love the 7X57 it will do most anything. God forbid if I could only have two rifles one would be a 7X57.

Yeah in 1999 dollars he had over $7500 in that rifle. The only time I ever paid for insurance on my guns going to Africa. It appeared to be a good thing for awhile...leaving Africa I put the guns on Namibian Air, and then didnt see them for almost two weeks...when they arrived on Alaskan Air...I didnt even want to know what happened. I didn't tell the owner about the disappearance at all, till I had the gun back in hand. No need for BOTH of us to worry!


The same guy went to a gun guild show and paid $350 for a Rigby bolt peep for the .404 just so I could shoot it...

Rev. Mike: his other one would also be a 7x57.



DF

You just can't go wrong with this caliber. I have three

You ain't wrong.

Dan that is one seriously nice rifle. I stepped in it last time a "JOC provenance" gun got mentioned here by reporting that a local gun shop was a reputable outfit and later came to find out the gun was a POS that likely never saw Jack or his Wife in the real world.
No matter with yours...... whoever made it really hit the mark. Its a great piece of history and darn fine looking
Thanks for posting.

Saw an older article the other day that said JOC's last custom rifle was a Ruger m77 in 280. He got smart right at the end 😇😂

Well, I'm not braggin' mind you, but my wood is better....

Jack's rifle is worth every penny.

A proper beauty!

You misspelled senile.

Oh, I have a few too.

Have hunted with all of these, except the No. 1, due to buying it too late last fall to check it out thoroughly before big game season ended.

I remember the article about that break action when it came out in Rifle or Hand Loader. Always liked the look of that one. The wood on the rifle just under it in the photo also is quite nicely done.

Actually, that was a photo I took for an article, which didn't show the details all too well here. Some better details shots of three of the rifles: