Yes Michael, that is the rifle.
Mal: Overcharged is of course a matter of personal opinion, but it is my opinion. I thought $3,300 (not including the checkering) to assemble the thing was rich in 2002. I gave him a functioning action in good shape, a Treebone Carving machined stock blank, and the barrel from Krieger. In fact, I supplied all the parts: recoil pad, sights, new extractor. I had been lulled to sleep by reasonable prices charged for some previous small jobs and expected progress billings on this one.
The project sat in his shop for a year and a half without any work being done and then was completed in something like five weeks. No progress reports or billings, just a fait accompli because he had some loan to pay off. It is a nice rifle, but not the one I ordered, and I particularly objected to having the length of pull be wrong when I had the blank specially machined to get it right.
I am afraid I am just not cut out to be a patron of the arts, I expect the people I hire to follow written instructions exactly. The length of pull was not the only thing, and the whole experience left a bitter taste in my mouth which has not diminished over time. That is why the rifle is for sale.
