SCI 2016-Gottfried Prechtl: Prechtl Jagd- & Sportwaffen

During the 2016 Safari Club International Convention I had a prescheduled meeting arranged with my good friend Jochen Hennig and one of his friends. Jochen and I met many years ago in Germany, became friends, and stay in touch regularly. Any chance we have to meet either here in the United States or in Germany is a done deal. Throw hunting or firearms into the mix and we are making plans! Jochen is a racing consultant who is also an avid hunter and connoisseur of fine rifles. I was told the gentleman I would be meeting and spending a little time with was a highly skilled custom gun maker from Germany, which as you might guess also happens to be one of my favorite hunting destinations.

The gentleman, Gottfried Prechtl, is the owner and Master Gunsmith of Prechtl Jagd- und Sportwaffen. As luck would have it we had a chance to share many stories, enjoy a glass or two of wine, some delicious smoked salmon, cheese, and of course discuss his custom manufacturing of quality rifle systems.

I enjoyed learning that besides his gun making skills Gottfried grew-up hunting. He has a background in tool-making and is also a machinist. Those skills led him initially to a hobby of gunsmithing that blossomed and grew into his becoming an internationally known fine custom gunmaker.

Gottfried and his five employees work to produce hunting rifles, sporting precision rifles, and rifles for law enforcement. He also makes actions, gun parts/components, as well as production machines, various gunmaker accessories, and also a Bisley vice in addition to his custom gun making. Many of you may be familiar with his precision Universal Milling Machine and tooling.

Gottfried builds his best quality bolt action rifles on his own Double and Single Square Bridge Prechtl M98 Actions. Additionally, Gottfried also produces a high-strength match action in single shot or repeater configurations for precision target shooters. Specialty models are also available for the tactical law enforcement community.

The Prechtl M98 standard and magnum rifle systems are made based upon the original drawings of Paul Mauser. Gottfried strives to stay true to the original proven design. Working from those drawings, Gottfried has made several changes that have improved upon that original foundation. Things such as extractor length, ejection port modification, square bridge refinements, optimized cocking piece with solid bottom lug for use with adjustable trigger assemblies, firing pin and bolt diameter changes, receiver width modifications, plus bolt and receiver tolerance modifications just to name a few areas. One of his developments, the Prechtl 3-Position Safety with Safety Lock is well known throughout the world.

Available action types include the Prechtl M98 Magnum, Standard, Lightweight, and the Prechtl 07 Express which is a precision Magnum rifle. A new addition is the Prechtl GS-04 Long Range Hunting model designed for hunting conditions more suited to longer distance shots. I had the opportunity to handle a prototype of the GS-04 Long Range in .338 Lapua Magnum that was simply stunning. Other calibers are available along with a variety of options including an adjustable cheek piece. The .338 Lapua I handled has a stated precision of 0.3 MOA with Berger hybrid 300 grain bullets.

 

Gottfried’s versions of the Model 98 Mauser action design are machined from solid stock. In the Prechtl Magnum action a total of 15 kg of steel is cut and the weight of the finished action is 1.35 kg. The manufacturing process requires 92 hours of machining just to complete an action.

A very popular option in the U.S. Market is the take-down model version of Prechtl rifles. This version accounts for approximately 80% of the rifles built by Prechtl for U.S. customers. The take-down version is available in both the standard and magnum version.

All Prechtl models are manufactured and assembled at his shop in Birkenau, Germany. All actions and rifles are built and hand finished by Gottfried and the other skilled craftsman that he employs. The only rifle component not made in his shop are the barrels. These are made by the German Lothar Walther Company. There is one variable to this and that is the Prechtl-Express 07 Mansory model.

As some of you may know, Mansory is known for making a line of the very best ultralight high-strength carbon cars for manufacturers such as Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Mercedes-Benz just to name a few. They have teamed up with Prechtl to create a carbon stock and carbon barrel sleeve paired with selected match grade barrels made by Lothar Walther. All other parts are Prechtl.  

I have many friends living in Germany who are avid hunters. They know of the new Mauser bolt actions that Gottfried makes and speak very highly of his gunmaking skills and craftsmanship. I had the opportunity to handle many versions of his M98 rifles and I must say they are functional works of art. To say his actions are as smooth as glass with triggers that are unbelievably crisp is an understatement. They must be experienced firsthand to be appreciated. I was highly impressed with every model in his rifle line that I handled. Fit, finish, function, attention to detail all superb. His takedown rifle version was extremely well designed and executed.

Why would you want to consider having Gottfried build a rifle for you? Well besides what I have already mentioned consider this as well. The rifles are fully custom and because of this you will have a wide range of options such as stock and recoil pad style, stock finishes, stock fitting, sling swivels, express sights, semi-express sights, no sights, German pivot mount on integral bases, other mounting options, safety and safety lock options, standard or take-down options, magazine capacity options, barrel length & diameter options, integral barrel with quarter rib, and caliber options. There are many other options that are available such as custom engraving by some of the best German engravers as well as finish options such as color case hardening for example. This list is incomplete but it serves as an example of the variables that are tailored to your specific needs or desires.

Gottfried’s company philosophy and objective are simple. “There is nothing that cannot be made even cheaper… but there is also nothing that cannot be made even better. The wheel does not have to be reinvented, the wheel already exists.”

“Our main activity is manufacturing quality systems for repeater rifles in standard and magnum versions, sport weapon systems in standard and magnum sizes and both single shot and semi-automatic, as well as hunting, sporting and police weapons from systems produced by us. Compensators for rifles and shotguns, match triggers, weapon parts and rifle maker supplies are also the object of our production. Repairs of all kinds to hunting weapons and large caliber sporting weapons are carried out reliably in our quality workshop.”

  

So there you have it! A snapshot of Gottfried Prechtl, the owner and Master Gunsmith of Prechtl Jagd- und Sportwaffen and some of his custom rifles. I am very excited about what I saw and had a chance to handle. I am looking forward to discussing the possibility with Gottfried of a custom driven hunt rifle in the not too distant future.

Be sure to look up Gottfried and pay him a visit if you live in Germany or elsewhere in Europe. If you live in the United States be sure to visit his booth during the next Safari Club International Convention. If you’re in the market for a beautiful custom made rifle you will not be disappointed.

You can also visit the Prechtl website to learn more.

Black Bear Skinning Time-lapse

A time-lapse view of skinning a black bear. This information has been provided by our friends at Dick’s Taxidermy.

You can view other videos from Dick’s Taxidermy on our Blog video Page or by searching YouTube.

SCI 2016-Marc Newton: John Rigby & Co.

Every now and then, like the blind pig finding an acorn, we stumble across an opportunity to experience something special in the world of firearms with historical significance and importance. Such was the case for me at the recent 2016 SCI Convention. The circumstances that unfolded were somewhat unexpected and it was a great honor and experience.

I was meeting with my friend Marc Newton at the SCI Convention. Marc is the Managing Director of John Rigby & Company. Marc’s team of London craftsmen had begun working on a .275 Rigby restore and refurbish project of mine a few months ago. As my timeline was not pressing, I had previously asked Marc to move my project to the warming platter while they continued to focus their attention on completing the 2^nd of the World Heritage Rifle Series being donated by John Rigby & Company for the SCI’s 44^th Annual Hunters’ Convention. Rigby was building a donation piece to celebrate the Indian subcontinent while representing the .275 Rigby and Jim Corbett. Jim Corbett is of course a writer, conservationist, and hunter known for killing man-eating tigers in the Kumaon region.

The World Heritage Rifle Series is a five year collaboration between SCI and premier rifle makers. It consists of five custom built rifles that represent the very best of the gunmaker’s craft. They represent one of the five hunting continents of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The 1^st rifle built in the series was to celebrate Africa and was built by John Bollinger Sr. and Jr. The 2015 auction sale of that rifle raised $140,000.00 USD for SCI projects. The 2^nd rifle to be crafted for the series, as shown above, is being built by John Rigby & Company honoring Asia. It is built on a classic single-square-bridge Mauser action with a 25 inch Classic Rigby barrel. The rifle has jungle themed engraving of illustrations taken from Corbett’s books. It was scheduled for auction during the 2016 SCI Convention.

I had intended to meet with Marc, enjoy the beautiful work done on the John Rigby London Best Corbett Commemorative Rifle and perhaps chat some about my build project. I knew that Jim Corbett’s personal .275 Rigby that was presented to him by Sir J.P. Hewett KCSI, Lieutenant Governor of the United Provinces, in gratitude for killing the man-eating tigress of Champawat in 1907 would also be present. It’s worth noting this tigress had killed a reported 436 people. This is the same rifle that Corbett used in 1926 to kill the infamous Rudraprayag leopard that had killed more than 125 people.

As luck would have it I would not only have the opportunity to lay my hands on Jim Corbett’s personal .275 Rigby but also another of his fine personal rifles. While chatting with Bill Jones he asked if I would like to handle Corbett’s .450/400 double rifle. This rifle was used by Corbett in Africa and India. It had been used to kill many man-eating tigers for the Indian government. It was also used to kill the Thak man-eater shot by Corbett in 1938, the last man-eater to be killed by Corbett. As a smile tore across my face with a rush of excitement I of course could hardly contain myself. The display case had already been opened and the Jeffery boxlock was resting in my hands before I could wipe the silly grin off my face.

While rifles are a tool made from a piece of wood and steel being able to see, feel, and hold history in your own hands is something that is always difficult to describe. It is an experience that never dims and is always one that I never forget. This was one of those moments for me as I rubbed the stock, caressed the action and barrels as if they were alive, and threw the rifle to my shoulder and looked over the sights. A sight picture and experience that will be forever ingrained in my memory. It is something that I wish everyone could experience. I snapped a few pictures to photographically capture the moment with the .275 Rigby and the Jeffery .450/400 double but the photos do not do the experience justice.

The Rigby booth was alive and active during the convention. Rigby did a spectacular job presenting their work and hosting those who stopped by their booth. I received word that the auction for the John Rigby London Best Corbett Commemorative Rifle was a success. The rifle sold for $250,000.00 USD at the 2016 SCI auction where it was jointly purchased by husband and wife Brian and Denise Welker. The rifle was auctioned with a best-quality English leather case and accessories, a beautiful credenza built by Julian and Sons, a set of Corbett books commissioned by Rigby, and an original oil on canvas by David Southgate of the “Last Moments of the Champawat Man Eater.”

A very successful convention for John Rigby & Company and all those who were a part of the event. Jim Corbett National Park in India will be receiving a donation from the proceeds of the Corbett book sales. Rigby purchased the painting from Mr. Southgate who will be donating proceeds from the sale to tiger conservation in Jim Corbett National Park.

The picture above is of Noel Maxx artistically posing with Jim Corbett's rifles at the SCI Convention Rigby booth. Noel is holding two of Corbett’s wonderful and well known rifles. The rifles are the Jim Corbett W.J. Jeffery boxlock in .450/400 3” used to kill many man-eating tigers and also the .275 rifle Jim Corbett was presented for shooting the man-eating tigress of Champawat by Sir John Hewett. This rifle also accounted for many man-eaters by Corbett. Noel is a huge fan of Jim Corbett and Rigby and came in touch with Marc Newton of John Rigby and Company.  Noel lives in Texas and is a hunter conservationist.

Another treat for those who stopped by the John Rigby & Company booth was the opportunity to see the debut of the Rigby Rising Bite double rifle. Production of this double had stopped in 1910 due to the rising cost to manufacture the rifle. Rigby has now resumed building this iconic double rifle.

Special thanks and recognition:

Ryan Harris, Owner of Global Safari Films. Ryan operated our camera to capture several images on our behalf. http://globalsafarifilms.com/

Various Jim Corbett .275 Rigby & Rigby Rising Bite close-up photos and auction winner photo courtesy of John Rigby & Co/Copyright John Rigby & Company, London, England, http://www.johnrigbyandco.com/

Auction photos Jim Corbett Jeffery .450/400 NE close-up photos courtesy of James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine, www.jamesdjulia.com

Carter’s W.A.R. - Wild Animal Response

A few months ago I spoke with my good friend Ivan Carter regarding a new undertaking of his in collaboration with the Outdoor Channel and Shockey Productions. We discussed various aspects of the project that sounded quite interesting. I believe it will be an exciting production of great value. Those of us who believe in wildlife conservation through hunting and the challenges to wildlife in Africa will be able to relate in some instances and also learn more.

Just last week I was speaking with Ivan again. He noted that the first episode of Carter’s W.A.R. - Wild Animal Response will air on the Outdoor Channel December 28, 2015. Ivan was completing filming of the last and final episode for season one. The final episode of the series will be exploring the lion cattle conflict in various parts of Africa.

Ivan mentioned how this project started to take on a life of its own and sadly how he saw and experienced some very harsh realities. Realities that strengthen one’s resolve to do as much as possible to try and help expose the issues and support those engaged with the solutions on the front line.

Reflecting, Ivan shared that possibly the most memorable and at the same time humbling thing about filming this series was getting to know the incredible people on the front line. These individuals fight the fight every day often pushing hugely long hours on small budgets. He noted that it was and is an honor to represent these people. Ivan hopes that by highlighting what’s truly happening it will in some way translate into support for those engaged in the battle.

Here is a quick glimpse into the new series. Carter’s W.A.R. - Wild Animal Response is the untold story of one man’s quest to save his homeland—the world's most wild continent. Africa is dying. She is dying from the unrelenting poachers butchering elephants for their tusks and rhinos for their horns, to her exploding human population that is pushing itself into conflict with dangerous animals. One man in the middle risks his own life to expose the truth and make a difference. Watch as wildlife detective and professional hunter Ivan Carter takes you inside the real Africa. Journey to the front lines of the wars being waged against its wildlife and those fighting for it. Can Carter's quest to save Africa succeed? Tune in to Carter’s W.A.R. - Wild Animal Response to find out.

carters WAR season 1 trailer from Ivan carter on Vimeo.