Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats The Very Best Action

Very true! Rifles don't require much in the way of maintenance, especially compared to motorized transportation. Rifles also only need to be fed a little ammo when the mood strikes, unlike a live animal which requires constant upkeep. Also a rifle won't buck a person off if they don't shoot it enough, the opposite for an un-rode horse. In addition, storage of a few rifles is relatively simple. Dollar wise, even a top end rifle really isn't that bad when compared to the price of a lot of other hobbies. Overall a custom rifle affliction is, like you say, a harmless, and may I add fun hobby.

Several years ago, I ordered a Legend to be built in 7mm Remington Magnum. Soon thereafter D’Arcy let me in on the secret that would become the LX-1. Without hesitation, I told him to wait until the new action was finished— I wanted my rifle built on one.

From afar, I’ve watched as he and the team at CVM worked out every minute detail of the LX-1. Hours upon hours were spent staring at a Solidworks image, tweaking here and there until everything met his satisfaction. Then there was 3-D printing and, finally, billets of steel being loaded into the machines.

Now I’ve held my own action in my hand and have handled the first finished LX-1 rifle. The dream has become reality, the idea turned into steel. Absolutely, functional works of art. Mine will be chambered in 7mm Mashburn and I can’t wait to get my hands on it for good.

Several years ago, I ordered a Legend to be built in 7mm Remington Magnum. Soon thereafter D’Arcy let me in on the secret that would become the LX-1. Without hesitation, I told him to wait until the new action was finished— I wanted my rifle built on one.

From afar, I’ve watched as he and the team at CVM worked out every minute detail of the LX-1. Hours upon hours were spent staring at a Solidworks image, tweaking here and there until everything met his satisfaction. Then there was 3-D printing and, finally, billets of steel being loaded into the machines.

Now I’ve held my own action in my hand and have handled the first finished LX-1 rifle. The dream has become reality, the idea turned into steel. Absolutely, functional works of art. Mine will be chambered in 7mm Mashburn and I can’t wait to get my hands on it for good.

Hopefully you will share some pics when it arrives; that sounds outstanding.

I've always admired Echol's work, but never really been willing or easily able to afford a rifle done by him. Ditto for David Miller.................got sorta serious in a discussion with Curt Crum at a show once upon a time & laid out a plan, but didn't do the deed.

The closest thing I've had to that kind of a masterpiece is this rifle in 270 done by Keith Stegall. Absolutely a tack driver, not overly light, but perfectly balanced & feel like an extension of my arms.

MM

MTMan
Stegall was an early influence on Gene Simillion. Later Gene spent some time with Jerry Fisher.
Keith built Warren Pages 6.5 wildcat.

Those rifles were built to be hunted with. Very nice.

TexPhot.
You are correct about several things.

1. It is more than likely to get anything “custom built” wrong the first few times. I have a buddy who designed a set of house plans. He is a builder and told me it took about 3-4 builds before he got it the way he envisioned it.

2. There are many less expensive ways to get a reliable accurate rifle (Tikka). But I have been fiddling around with my version of perfect for 40+ years and over many many attempts. I don’t have any vices, horses, boats, motorcycles, or other expensive hobbies. A single rifle isn’t an expensive deal like a horse. I go hunting and just don’t like packing around things I don’t really like. Silly but harmless.

How is the Defiance CRF action treating you? Any downsides? I'm looking at one myself.

How is the Defiance CRF action treating you? Any downsides? I'm looking at one myself.