Customer Comments

I opened the rifle today and wanted to let you know how extremely pleased I am with the rifle. The fit, finish and workmanship far exceeded my expectations. I can only hope that I can shoot the groups that you provided me with. But with this rifle as the starting point, I am surely getting a great start.

I was very impressed with how professional every aspect of the purchase was handled by you and your company. Even my FFL dealer said you just “did everything right”.

You were great letting me know where we were along the way and it made it seem more like I was part of creating this rig.

(DAVE NAAS) Minnesota

Hi Richard,

Finally did some workup on the 6MM BR you did for me. What a jewel!
Believe it or not, I printed on a 100 yard target on the first shot. After adjusting the scope a bit, it was right in the money.
After playing with a few loads, it shot consistently in the .3 to .4 range….. I think It’ll do better with a bit of work.

I’m very pleased with it, Thanks!

Dave

(GARY BRANTLY) VA.

Mr. Franklin,

I wanted to drop you a line and tell you that I am extremely pleased with the rifle you built for me. The fit and finish and overall looks of the rifle are excellent but it is the accuracy that I am most pleased with.

So far I have only shot new brass as I plan to fireform 100 cases for next spring and the groundhogs. With unfired brass, N160 and 87gr V-Max bullets it is shooting consistently in the 2's and 3's at nearly 3600 fps! I have only shot a few groundhogs with this load but kills were instant. I loaded some 90gr Nosler Ballistic tips for deer hunting and was happy to find that they shot just as well as the V-Max's.

With the Noslers my oldest son shot 2 nice bucks at 482 yds. and 431 yds., neither deer traveled over 25 yds. after being hit. As a dual purpose rifle, I couldn't ask for anything better than this.

I appreciate you building this fine rifle for me and plan on another this spring. A couple of my shooting buddies will be giving you a call soon as they are interested in having you build them a rifle also.

Sincerely,
Gary Brantley

(BOB CRONE) VA.

Richard,
I want to thank you for the excellent work on my varmint rifle! It is truly a fine piece and will stay with me till I pass on.

I shot it this afternoon--bore sighted by eye--used 1" Birchwood-casy orange target spots--1st. sighter was in the dot @ 4 o'clock--2ond. touched--3rd. touched second @ 3 o'clock. wind made it a .333" group. height was .100".
Good to go!

This means that the stock isn't too crooked! You Da' Man!

Thanks also for the price break. Every bit helps!

Take care and next time I come up I'll be sure that you are there.

Your friend,
Bob

(STEVE KENNEY) OHIO
Hi Richard,
Both mine and Gary's rifles are shooting PERFECT.
I never thought I would see a .30 cal that would shoot groups like these guns do.Gary does most of the reloading and I do most of the shooting.He is wanting a full length resizing die to use in his RCBS press.Can you make us one with your reamer?

Thanks, Steve Kenney

P.S. 43 hogs so far this season.I'm going to W.Va in two weeks for a week of hog hunting.....

(ED GREENE) TEXAS
Richard,

I went to the post office on the off chance that they were holding the box but forgot to leave a notice. It turns that is exactly what happened. It was a long wait on line but worth it. Separately, I finally got the range this afternoon to try out the new rifle (lots of family obligations). The wind was howling but I was easily managing .2 inch groupings. It is really fun to shoot, the trigger is a real thrill and the optics are great. You built 1 heck of a great rifle and I really appreciate it.

Ed

(GREG TAYLOR ) PA.

Richard,

Its here and FANTASTIC. thank you for being so easy to work with. all of my hunting buddies are drooling

thanks again

greg

(KYLE HOKE) CAL.
Richard,
I received my pistol on Wednesday right on schedule and enthusiastically tore open the box and pulled out a work of art !!!. The stock is perfect. You're work is excellent. Thank You again.
I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, I still have to mount the scope, prep the cases, neck turn, fire form, load development, etc. all the usual things that need to be done when sorting through a new gun. I'm confident that the gun will work out O.K. and the stock you made all ready exceeds my expectations.

Sincerely, Kyle Hoke

Chuck Garret....PA.
Just a note to say thanks for a great looking stock! The metal is now in the wood, the stock has been sanded and I'm near the end of the filling process. I finally decided to use an 'in wood finish' by Chem Tek with a slight amount of walnut stain to 'pop' the graining a bit. A couple more coats -- and the project will be nearing completion.
I do have one question though -- I'm about to 'bite the bullet' and order a new scope -- and I'm looking at Burris' Black Diamond in 8-32 power. I've never owned a Burris, and was wondering what you might think -- or perhaps you have a better recommendation.
Once again, thank you -- and if this stock is an indication of the quality of workmanship on the rifles you build and the other things you do -- you truly ara a master craftsman! Have a great day!

(STEVEN PAGE) ILLINOIS
Hi Richard
I picked up my rifle Thursday it is beautiful. I spent most or the week end helping with a auction but I did get a scope mounted and zeroed it in. We set the front rest and rear bag on my pickup bed cover and four shots to zero then the next three under .5 inch. I was running a couple of patches between shots and it seems like it will be a short break in. No time to set up a bench but such is life. I plan to take some time just to shoot soon.
Thanks Stephen

(SAM SMITH) WISCONSIN

Richard

I dont have a lot of time to tell you about this rifle but the targets will speak for themselves, Tell me what you think. at a 100 yards I was under .250 and at 300 yards I was at about a 1 inch group with eight shots. 100 yards was five shots.

51.5 clicks and 257 bushing and I am seating these very long.

I will give you a call when I have a little more time, the only advise I can give you on building a rifle is that you need to raise your prices. I own over a hundred rifles and none of them are even close to this rifle, I have had several people try to buy this rifle from me, and believe me I will die owning this rifle.

Thanks Again

Sam Smith

( ALAN ORR) SIGHTRON (N.C.)

Richard,

Just wanted to say thanks and the stock looks great. I will let you know
how it shoots later this week.

Thanks again for the great job,

Alan Orr

(SAM SMITH) WISCONSIN
Richard,
All I have to say is

WOW

Thanks
Sam Smith

(GREG WILSON) AUSTRALIA

Hi Richard,

First of all, I want to pass on my thanks for building such an excellent rifle. The craftsmanship is outstanding and I couldn’t be happier with the quality of your work. Everything we discussed turned out just the way I wanted it. Thank you very much.

Greg Wilson

(MARK SCRONCE) VA.
Richard,

I shot a screamer group with the 6BRX at Hawks Ridge 1000yds NC state last
week 3.830" small group of the day, but I did not win the shootoff.

This past Sat. At 600 yds Benchrest I shot a 2.8" 4 target agg with a 1.5"
small group & 199 score in light gun with the BRX 4th place in group & 2nd
score.

Now for the good news. The 6XC Heavy gun on the BAT shot a 3.4" agg with a
208 score. First in score & 4th in group.That now 208 is the Pending HEAVY
GUN WORLD RECORD for score. And the 2 gun score of 407 is now Pending 2 GUN
WORLD RECORD for SCORE. Alot of people are asking who put the guns together,
and I am sending them your way. Thanks for 2 World Record Class Guns.

Mark Schronce

(TIM COLLINS) TENN.
Rich,

I received the rifle today. Beautiful stock. I'll enjoy finishing
this. Thank you for the excellent work.

Tim Collins

( Kees Hoendervangers ) in the Netherlands

Hi Richard

I spent the best part of the day at the airport in Amsterdam yesterday but they finally released my rifle, when I opened the box I was extremely pleased with what I saw, your new design stock is awesome it is very stabile and rides the bags perfect and I am more then happy with the overall finish, just love your desert camo. You were right about the Bat action it is a beauty and works very smooth, I have played with it a bit and I think I’m gonna like the left port very much. The Tubs adjustable is a good deal as well, for the first time I feel very comfortable sitting behind my rifle. I have installed the scope so I am ready to go and break in that barrel and I’m sure that if I do my part, this rifle is not going to let me down.

Thanks for building me another fine rifle, for all your good advice and for keeping me updated about the progress along the way.

See ya,

Kees

Richard:

On the weekend of April 1, 2006, I shot and won the F-Class division of the 2006 Georgia State Long Range Championship, known as the Stars & Bars, at Ft. Benning, Georgia.

The match was conducted at 1000 yards on the 600 yd target. I was shooting my 300 WSM in your new Low Rider stock. The gun tracked beautifully and I don't remember the recoil at all as the Low Rider just tamed it like I was shooting a smaller caliber. Other shooters even commented on how the gun tracked straight back without any lift at all. Sweet.

Thanks again for a great design and the craftsmanship put into my Low Rider stock.

Jim Hardy

Hi Richard,

I just wanted to write and thank you for another superb piece of craftsmanship on the build and fitting of the Lowrider stock to my Nesika/Lilja custom rifle. I shot the rifle for the first time with the new Lowrider stock last weeked and was very pleased with it’s performance.

The total rifle weight is 15.5lbs. I was shooting the 6.5/284 barrel with 142grn Sierra Matchkings at 2900fps. The barrel has a removable muzzle brake installed. The combination of the brake and the flat tracking Lowrider stock easily enable me to watch bullet holes appear in the target through the scope without losing the sight picture under recoil. I never thought this would be possible in a gun of this weight but honestly, it was like self spotting with a 17 Remington. OK, maybe a bit lot noisier but still just as easy to see the bullet strikes! Congratulations on the design and thanks again for the top quality work.

Regards,

Greg Wilson.

Richard,
I put the BRX LowRider to work Sat at the first 600 yds Benchrest of the year. I got first in LG score agg with a 196 and a single target 50 with a 2.4" group. Both are pending world records if they hold thru the year. I will find out later. I was second in group LG with a 2.650" 4 target agg. with a small group of 2.0". Score and group combined I was LG champ. Hg shot with the same gun. I didn't fair as well. the wind got me in the middle is my string on my last target shot a 5.6" group. got 5th in group. 2 gun I was 2nd in group with a 2.9962 for a 8 target agg and 5th in score with a 379.

Mark Schronce

Richard:

Thanks again for all the help, and a very nice stock. Your videos were very interesting and detailed, and I picked up a lot of good techniques. You obviously spent a lot of time making them, and I wanted to tell you of my appreciation of your efforts.

The rifle is finished, and I will be breaking it in this weekend. Attached is a picture. I ended up finishing it with Waterlox, and am very pleased with the appearance. I hope that it shoots as good as it looks.

I have more pictures HERE (http://www.the-long-family.com/6_dasher.htm) if you are interested.

Thanks again! I’ll be back for another before too long!

Cheers,

Chris

RICHARD,

I DID RECEIVE MY DVD, METAL WORKING, THANKS FOR THE PATIENCE.

COULD NOT STOP WATCHING IT, UP UNTIL 1:00 AM.

YOU ARE GOING TO PUT 95% OF THE PEOPLE WHO DO BARREL WORK TO SHAME WITH THE TIME YOU TAKE AND IN

EVERYTHING YOU DO TO THE BARREL AND ACTION TO MAKE A GUN SHOOT.

IT IS GOOD TO SEE THAT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHOM TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK AND DO IT RIGHT.

I NOTICED A NOTE ON YOUR WEB SITE THAT YOU ARE RUNNING ABOUT 8 MONTHS FOR DELIVERY, WELL THAT'S THE

PRICE YOU PAY FOR BEING GOOD.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, PLEASE MORE DVD ON ANYTHING TO DO WITH GUNS.

THANKS

BOB ROTHENBACH

SARASOTA, FL

P.S

COULD YOU RECOMMEND A SMITH TO REBARREL A 700 SHORT FOR THE NEW 6 X 47 LAPUA.

Richard,

Just a comment,

Each of the rifles you built for me has been nothing short of fantastic. They perform beautifully and are beautiful to behold. During our last varmint hunt, every single person in camp said the 20 BR with the Maple stock you built for me was the most beautiful rifle they had ever seen. After they saw it shoot, they all were in total awe. It drills sub .2 groups @ 100 yards all day long….. Regardless of who was shooting it.

While I’m not a competitive shooter, each and every rifle shoots exceptionally well. I’m not benchrest savvy but I think the 1 1/2 “ group I shot with the 6mm BR @ 600 yds would be competitive on occasion.

I appreciate the fine craftsmanship and care you’ve taken with each of the rifles..

If you ever need a reference from a doubter, have them give me a buzz…. I’ll set them straight.

Kindest regards,

Dave

Richard,

Well my 10 day waiting period for California was over on December 28th. Just to see this rifle and holding it for the first time was amazing. Your craftsmenship was incredible. The rifle was everything I dreamed and more. Thank you for recommending the Neskia action.

I went out to the range today with the Lapua ammo I purchased. Boy was this rifle a tack driver. I am not a great shot by any means, but this rifle really took up the slack. I was shooting just under .5 MOA at 100 and just a little bigger at 200 yards.

The fact that I own this rifle really makes my year. It was worth every penny. Your advice, counsel and patience was nothing less than spectacular and I will never forget it. I have been searching for a custom long range deer rifle and dealing with several different custom rifle builders and your standards are my standards and I am hard pressed to find another like you.

I can't wait for my Prairie Dog hunt in Texas in summer of 2007.

Words can't describe the pride I have in owning this 6mm Benchrest.

Thank you so much

Greg Breiner Dec. 30/06, California

Hello Richard,

Great talking with you today ! THANKS for taking the time to talk with this 'ole Tennessee varmint hunter ! I know you are busy, but would sure like to talk and share some "lies", as any hunter worth a damn is gonna do ! I appreciate your calling me back concerning the Mod.10 stock I had ordered. It came this afternoon by UPS ! Looks good and I know it will make a handsome stock if I do my part ! I only wish that I could have you make a duplicate of your ground hog gun ! I will do my best to match the beautiful work you did on that rifle !! I will keep you posted ;that is if you're interested ! Will send a few pictures of some of my work that I've "hacked" out over the years. If you remember when we talked a few weeks ago, I'm an old (67) gunsmith" wannabe" that started out with an FFL and some stationary to sell my ideas: to try and be a "gunsmith" ! I didn't have the money to purchase the machinery that I needed, so had to struggle with the bare essentials until 1968. When ML King was shot here , a short time later the ATF started a "re-assement" of their renewal policy ! One Sat. morn. they came" visiting" and said that if I couldn't establish a business away from my house that I would not be eligible for a renewal ! So, that's where it ended ! It didn't end my desires,though, and I've still struggled along "whittling"out a few Varmint guns when I can !! I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed all 5 of you DVD's ! I picked up some good info from all of them and that's no BS !! You got my attention with that 300WSM, and when I "win the lottery" or come into a fortune from some long lost relative (don't have any) I'm gonna have you build me something!! I'm in total agreement with the high velocity approach to destroy"with extreme prejudice" any varmint you hunt ! I manage to get out West and annihilate all the prairie dogs I can. Do pretty good with my .243,.243Ackley,6mm/284,.243WSSM,.204R,and my newest dazzler, a 5mm/35 SMC at 4600 fps (chronographed) that I will un-leash this May !! Sure wish I could come and visit.....oh well,.. maybe someday it could work out !! I'll quit rambling and let you get back to work ! Take care and as a great frontiersman once said " watch 'yer back" !!!
Bill Duke