In looking over threads in this Custom and Classic Rifle forum for the past year, there are two that jump out as special in the same manner as winners from past years.

The first is Jim Westberg's "D. Fraser" thread

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=565091&page=1

The second is Aaron Little's "FROM A SOW’S EAR TO A SILK PURSE" thread:

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=578702#Post578702

There have been numerous other very nice rifles depicted and written about here, but when considering a nominee, I am thinking about the whole picture. Who brought us an interesting build, and more importantly, who did the most memorable and superb work? To me, the most special and talented gunsmiths are those who have mastered many or all aspects of gunmaking. I totally respect the really talented specialists here who concentrate upon engraving, stockmaking, checkering, or machining and metal work. But when one guy has the ability to master several or all of those crafts, then I am most impressed. That's what prompted me to nominate Dennis Daigger a couple years ago, and what made Bailey Bradshaw most outstanding last year.

There are other very skilled and deserving guys who have posted on DoubleGunShop such as C.J. Opacik (CJO), but he seems to specialize in shotguns, and I have not seen his work in this sub-forum. We had Dewey Vicknair post some of his incredible work earlier this year in the new Professional Gunsmith forum, but again, not here in this sub-forum. Every time I see an example of Dewey's work, I feel as if I am looking at a Michaelanglo sculpture. But he has left and has no threads in this forum.

It was real hard for me to choose between Aaron Little and Jim Westberg, because I am a sucker for a well executed single-shot. Mr. Westberg's D. Fraser rifle is a beauty, and deserves recognition.

But it seems as if Aaron Little did more of the total job in his custom rebuild of the BRNO ZZK-601 Bolt Action. I wish both men had included "Before" Photos, but we all know that the BRNO rifles are rough, utilitarian, and most have those butt-ugly Eastern European stocks. Aaron Little's finished product displays more pure fine gunsmithing skills than anything else that has been posted in this forum in the last year... hands down! When last years winner, Bailey Bradshaw decided to utilize the services of another gunsmith to stock one of his rifles, he chose Aaron Little, who did an outstanding and beautiful job. It was easy to see why Bailey chose Aaron Little, and that also is why I nominate Aaron Little. He is a very talented gunsmith that people will still be talking about 100 years from now.

A true sign of mental illness is any gun owner who would vote for an Anti-Gunner like Joe Biden.