Well with all the chaos of getting my business started I've procrastinated on getting my guns ready for my elk hunt in Eastern Oregon. The hunt starts on the 27th but I'll be leaving on the 23rd so we can do some scouting. Right now I have two projects I'm trying to get done as well as working on customers guns. The first is an Encore 30-06 barrel with a damaged chamber I'm re chambering to 300 winchester. I should have the chamber done this weekend but they sent the wrong muzzle brake so the right one won't be in until the first of the week. The second is my 3.75" 500 Linebaugh it is pretty much together but I ran out of time to make new grip panels for it as the factory ones are cracked and I just put a new barrel on it and fitted it with a dovetailed front sight. I've got the proper sight height figured out but now I have to tear it back down to blue the barrel and I also will need to blue the Encore barrel. As a back up I do have a 30-06 barrel for the Encore. I also thought I had the 454 I built ready but on my last outing I sheared the scope mount screws so I re drilled and tapped it for a larger 8-40 screw. My back up for my revolvers are my two Reeder guns but I was really hoping to use one of my own guns on this hunt. If I didn't have my name engraved in both of the Reeder guns I would have already sold them but since I did I figured I'd go ahead and keep them. Anyways to say the least this should be an interesting week and an interesting hunt.

Hang in there, it sounds like its all coming together.Have a good trip!

The big bore revolvers are very hard on optics mounts. I have seen rings break on a 475 with a light 4 ounce Ultra dot. The screws must handle a very heavy load

Keep plugging away Rod... I know you'll get 'er done. You've kinda developed a reputation for that...
Best of luck on the hunt. Hope you can do it with your 500!

I'm always running late, so I can relate. Don't drive yourself crazy. Remember, you have access to firearms that are field tested and ready to go. That African Hunter in .475 looks like it's up to the task if need be.

good luck on your hunt!

good luck man. be safe and bring back pics.

Well I'm making progress. I've got the Encore barrel re chambered to 300win and the muzzle brake on it. I just put on a coat of cold blue until I get back from elk hunting and have time to hot blue it. I'm also trying to decide whether I want to machine the brake down to match the barrel diameter or leave it full size. I had planned on turning it down but now that it's on the gun it looks good and every extra ounce I have hanging on the end of the barrel will help tame it. I also put the oversize screws in the 454 so it should be solid, I've done the same on my 475 and on a 45-70 BFR I had and never had another problem. I shot othe 30-06 Encore the other day and it's shooting MOA so it's good to go and I'm going to test and sight in the 300 and 454 tomorrow. The 500 though is going to be close as I still have it apart and I'd have to cold blue the barrel for now and I don't know that I want to mess with that so my 4.5" 475 may end up being my belt gun. For ammo I'm shooting 150gr Accubonds in the 30-06 and 180gr Fail Safes that I had on had for the 300, the 475s will be running 400gr XTP's and the 454 either 300gr XTP's or some 300gr JSP factory ammo I have on hand depending on which it likes best. Anyways only two more days until we leave for elk camp and I'm ready to get away for a bit.

Best of luck in elk camp, Rod.

Go get 'em big guy!!!

Pics of both the barrel and the elk. Best of luck!

Good Luck!

GOOD LUCK aim strait my friend.

well so much for shooting today

I had ordered the equipment to do Case Hardened finishes and the freight truck showed today. Moving a 300lb oven proved interesting with my back but I got it in the shop and un packed. I'm hoping it will help add to my business. I've now got the bluing equipment and case hardening so next will be the nickle plating and parkerizing equipment which fortunately is much cheaper and lighter ;). it is supposed to start storming tonight so I may have to sight the guns in once we get to camp. We are going up on saturday but the season doesn't start until Wednsday so we should have ample time to scout and sight in guns but if all else fails like I said before I have 30-06 Encore and 475 pack gun for back ups. In a worse case scenario if I were to come up lame again I have my Ruger 77MKII in 338 Win and a VERY Nice Win Enfield 1917 custom in 300 win that I got from Gregg Richter. But hopefully it doesn't come to having to use the long guns but in the end I'm in it for meat as much as the enjoyment of the hunt although game meat has become the most expensive per pound that there is.

Whatever you hunt with, just make sure you enjoy God's country and have a great time.

Amen! Time with your family is priceless!

Thanks guys, I actually slipped out this morning to do a little deer hunting, season has been open for three weeks and this is the first time I've gone out as the temps have been unusually warm and the skies clear. Blacktails are almost nocturnal by nature but throw in this weather and it's rediculous. I didn't see any deer but I did get the 300win mag barrel sighted in. I'm very happy with the brake I put on it as the recoil is equivelant to that of a 30-30 in the contender but with alot more noise. I leave in the AM for elk camp so I'll let you know how it went when I get back.

good luck wapitirod hope it all comes together for you.

Fair Winds and Following Seas!!

just remember I was a submarine sailor, I actually volunteered to go to sea in a ship designed to sink! What I was thinking I will never know. NAVY-Never Again Volunteer Yourself!

LOL...

If I didn’t make the band I would have gone officer...

The band defiantly has its perks!!!

short update, just got in from my elk hunt and I did score on a nice 5x6 bull. I'll post the details and pics tonight or tomorrow after I get done with the un packing of all the gear.

SWEEEEEET!!!

Congrats big guy!!!
Can't wait for the details (and pics!)!

Congrats on the bull!
Look forward to the story and the pics.

Excellent News, Rod! Congrats! Post it when U can! I know how hectic it is getting back home from a hunt when you are self-employed...(AND EVEN SOMETIMES, THE OUTFITTER!)

OR, AS IN YOUR CASE, THE GUNSMITH!!!

CAN'T WAIT!!!

YAHOOOO!!!!!

great rod be lookin at the pics