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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286 |
Pete Hylenski died last month. I got to know Pete in the late 90's when he was Chief Design Engineer at USRAC. Pete was responsible for the resurrection of the CRF/Pre-64 Model 70 in the early 90's. He also introduced the little "ships bow" into the M70 feedramp, and later, the little gas flange on the bolt shroud. Pete was a South Paw, and was solely responsible for the LH Model 70. Later, when he went to Kimber, he struggled to get a LH Model 84 or 8400 made, but to no avail. He designed it, and it remains on CAD, but he couldn't persuade the owner of Kimber to go ahead with the project. Pete was a kind gentleman, and we exchanged a lot of emails and spent a fair bit of time on the phone over the years. He monitored various internet forums, including 24hourcampfire, to "fact gather." His handle here was "Headache" and I know there are a number of guys here who knew Pete and his position. Pete was always open to ideas, and I was privileged to have some small input in a few of his projects both at USRAC and later at Kimber. Bless you Pete... https://www.guns.com/news/2022/04/11/noted-firearms-engineer-pete-hylenski-passeshttps://www.jowdykanefuneralhome.com/obituary/Peter-Hylenski
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,819 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,819 Likes: 4 |
Thanks for posting that update Brad...
RIP Mr Hylenski. and thanks for your contribution to my favorite rifle brand....and model.
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,608
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,608 |
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Orwell
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,925
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,925 |
Sorry to hear about your friend. Sounds like he was also a friend to all of us even though we didn't know it.
RIP, sir. And thanks for bringing back the claw.
Okie John
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
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Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 17,933 Likes: 11 |
Thanks for posting Brad. RIP Pete.
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,419
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,419 |
RIP Mr. Model 70 . Thank you for your contributions to "The Rifleman's Rifle".
"Aim right, squeeze light" " Might as well hit what you're aiming at, it kicks the same whether you miss or not" NRA Life, GOA
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,226 Likes: 1 |
Thanks for posting Brad. RIP Pete. +1!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,083
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2007
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RIP Sir.
Sounds like he would have been an interesting man to sit and talk Model 70's, Kimbers and firearms in general with.
In helping design those rifles we owe him a debt of gratitude.
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 226 |
Thank you for your contributions to the hunting/shooting community. RIP Mr. Model 70.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
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Amen. Thanks for the info Brad
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Thanks Brad, seemed like a talented guy.
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Posts: 1,710 Likes: 7
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I am saddened to hear this. I corresponded with Pete a few times over the years. Mainly as a lefty enamoured with the Model 70. Hopefully another bear falls to a LH Model 70 this spring in his honour.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,333 Likes: 1 |
I wonder if he was the guy my dad spoke with years ago. After trying unsuccessfully to source a left handed .375 he started calling Winchester about it, and was finally put through to a guy who knew all about them. This guy, whoever he was, said they only made 150 left handed .375 every couple years.
Regardless, Mr. Hylenski made my favorite rifles what they were and for that I'm grateful. They've killed literally tons of game meat for me, saved me from bear maulings, and proven reliable from the arctic circle to the coastal rainforests. RIP sir.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,961 |
RIP sir! Your contributions to the shooting world will likely never be repeated! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,167 Likes: 2 |
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,307 Likes: 1 |
Sorry to hear of his passing. Never heard of the fella but as a M70 guy to fault I am glad to hear of the work he did.
Semper Fi
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,600 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,600 Likes: 1 |
Sorry to hear of his passing. Never heard of the fella but as a M70 guy to fault I am glad to hear of the work he did. My thoughts as well. Our world is diminished by the passing of guys like him.
"Chances Will Be Taken"
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286 |
Except for the promotion of Jack O'Connor, in my opinion Pete did more for Model 70 fan's than anyone since its introduction in the 1930's - and he definitely put Kimber on a better trajectory than it was on before he got on board. Of course, Pete's contribution's were behind the scene, and un-heralded.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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