TheRealGunsmith

In the first blow up story, that came within a hair’s breath of ending in death, is the video Randy discusses that was brought to our attention by a client produced by Kentucky Ballistics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1449kJKxlMQ The blow up was from a 50 cal. Serbu and a very old round of ammo. After much thought, Randy feels that part of the problem was perhaps the old round had powder that had broken down over years from heat, etc., as well as, because of the explosion, the cap on the rifle, though fully engaged, was not deep enough to contain the explosion. However, even a deeper, thicker cap very well could not have prevented this astounding amount of power. Yet, with all of the pressure, it still could have happened. As a result of putting his thumb in his open wound, they now have shirts, “Just Put a Thumb In It”. Thanks be to God, from quick thinking and outstanding care, he survived and continues his interesting work. Randy recounts a blow up that happened to his friend, and it is quite possible that the breakdown of the powder, 4064, also caused this experience with his 03-A3 Springfield rifle. There is also his friend, that years ago, had a blow up, from his M-1 Garand. He received shrapnel from this, and though this was decades ago, he had shrapnel work out just recently. Strangely enough, this piece of shrapnel caused year long eye issue and with removal of the shrapnel resolved the eye issue. Finally, a friend who wanted his Mark X Interarms Mauser in .338 Win rechambered to Randy’s .308x.404 Wapiti Express, however, there was something wrong with the rifle that needed checked out first. Thankfully, the issue was found and corrected or that man would have had a possible deadly explosion. In summary, Randy discusses some powder issues in reloading that can cause extreme issues, possibly harmful issues. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby Support Cathy, The Real Gunsmith’s Wife, for all of her behind the scenes work. https://randyscustomrifles.com Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mh9P9Od2pa8 Join us on Patreon for a minimum of 48 exclusive videos, with local photography by Cathy, as well as some of her digital artography, items of interest. https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith

Randy recalls the last elk hunt he and our two sons went on together on in 2006 [he was thinking at recording it was in 2005] in the backcountry of our beautiful North Fork of the Shoshone National Forest. He also recalls a solo scouting trip, with mule, horse and hound, with a funny twist. Photos included. Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3l2O2D6hHKc Join us on Patreon for a minimum of 48 exclusive videos, with local photography by Cathy, as well as some of her digital artography, items of interest. https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Support Cathy, the Real Gunsmith's Wife, for all of her behind the scenes work. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby

First published on Patreon, we are now sharing here and on Rumble. Randy was sent 2 barrels out of around 20 that a client needs straightened. They are barrels that had glass blocks on them and though the barrels are in excellent condition, it appears that the barrels were slightly bent when the glass blocks were forced on them, when warm. These are two of the easiest he has ever straightened. He notes, with a grin, that he uses a Douglas Fir log. Which, IMHO, would be the ONLY type to use if you have a Douglas barrel that is bent! Also noted is that to straighten any barrel, the glass blocks, barrel bands should be removed. And it should be noted, also, that the front sights should be removed if the bend is close to the muzzle. This is a secondary to the first video on straightening barrels. Straightening a barrel https://youtu.be/VB1KfwffqHM and on Rumble: https://rumble.com/v42jtah-straightening-a-barrel.html Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ug8jnuY1CLs Follow us on Patreon https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith for a minimum of 48 exclusive videos, as well as items of interest that we share, photos and artography/digital works from Cathy. Support Cathy, the Real Gunsmith's Wife, for all of her behind the scenes work. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby

We have many action options for custom rifle builds. Randy first discusses some of the newer actions to our line up, as well as the older actions, such as Mausers, Enfields, Winchester, Weatherby, Remington, etc. actions that will give you, with his expertise, just as good of a build as the newer actions. At one time Randy built some custom rifles on Terminus actions. They are well made, but the turnaround time got to be unpredictable and when asked about approximate delivery date, the owner would, most of the time, not answer emails or phone calls, but when he did email once we were told, “You’ll get it when you get it.” After over a year on one action and over 6 months, both clients agreed to go with a different action. Randy has been building rifles on Mack Brother’s custom actions for some time using, because of the caliber choice, on Mack Brother’s EVOII stainless steel BDL long action. Randy shows the action, with close ups, photos and a thorough description. The EVOII comes in a standard bolt face and magnum bolt face. At this time they are only making right hand actions. This is a Remington footprint action, with improvements. It also comes in short action model. For a light-weight rifle build, Randy is now building a custom rifle on Mack Brother’s Element action, For a light-weight rifle build, Randy is now building a custom rifle on Mack Brother’s Element action, which eliminates all the unnecessary weight to bring you a custom action weighing 19.8 ounces. Mack Brothers also offer actions in EVOII Titanium BDL Long Action and Short Actions; DBL long and short actions; and BDL short action, as well as a muzzle loader action. Great turnaround time and customer service coupled with a great product is good for us all. Next, after much research, Randy will be using Lone Peak actions, for custom builds, also. Lone Peak is one of the few companies making right and left hand actions. For this current build he is using the Fuzion action, RH. This action is nitride coated and really well made all around. Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Oe81epAbVsU Support Randy on Patreon and have access to at a minimum 48 exclusive videos, Cathy’s photography, items of interest. https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Support Cathy, the Real Gunsmith's Wife, for all of her behind the scenes work. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby

Randy talks about the energy needed on game animals, using, specifically, elk, for the most reliable harvests. While other bullets, lower on energy may get the job done, too often the results are not optimal. At one point he brings up the history of the 7MM Rem Mag and you can find his video on this, here: History of 7MM Rem Mag https://youtu.be/r8S3wXF9XDs He also talks about the one defining long range shot he made, that though successful, made him rethink long range shot at game animals, and redefined the distance he will even consider a “long range” shot. Support Cathy, The Real Gunsmith’s Wife, if you are so inclined: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby She is hoping to do some upgrades for editing that will be more poor vision friendly. Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g9BI5-pTEFE https://randyscustomrifles.com/shop

Though Randy has covered case sizing, in this video he goes more in depth for our Patreon supporters. First published in August of 2020 it is now made available to our YouTube and Rumble followers. Support Cathy, the Real Gunsmith's Wife, for all of her behind the scenes work. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dIl9l7vyaOQ

Because Randy feels so passionately about the ethics in the field by hunters, outfitters, guides AND game departments who don’t fit in that category, who abuse and misuse technology, etc., he breeches the subject again. The technology can be great, but it also increases a number of people to push limits, to take short-cuts that aren’t in the best interest of the wild life, nor for the overall reputation of all hunters. Electronic communication is being abused, to the detriment of the game. Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/empv9Sn1fkk Support The Real Gunsmith’s Wife, Cathy, if you feel so inclined. And thanks, if you do! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby https://www.randyscustomrifles.com

Randy discusses the dimensional characteristics of factory and handloaded ammunition, in relationship to the actual case and the chamber. He recalls a bit of the history of the standardizations of universal dimensional characteristics were put in place and the results. He also details the things that go into the brass of all cartridges, whether for the reloader/handloader or factory ammunition. Brass hardness varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. How does that affect the brass you are using? Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/D1X0OwsGRDY https://randyscustomrifles.com https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby

Note: the thumbnail picture is Bing AI image generated by Cathy. Support Cathy for “behind the scenes work”, if you are inclined, at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby Thank you. Note: the thumbnail picture is Bing AI image generated by Cathy, The Real Gunsmith’s Wife. Randy tells three stories of himself and two of his friends, each in different situations, of getting hypothermia. Randy experienced hypothermia while on an elk hunt with our friend, Ray Schmidt, when we all lived in the Fort Collins area. Another friend, Kenny Underwood, after getting stuck in Suburban multiple times, got hypothermia and in his confusion came to our home for help instead of his own home or his parents. Finally, another friend, Keith Dahlem, who still lives in the same community we live in, fell through ice, but with shallow water, was able to break through, and Randy was able to get him to the nearby ski lodge owned by his family. It is nothing to mess with. Always act quickly if you suspect you or anyone you are around is experiencing hypothermia. Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V1HCEKVpwCI https://randyscustomrifles.com https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby Support the Real Gunsmith’s Wife, Cathy, for all of her behind the scenes work. Thanks! Randy tells about an old time mountain man, business man, Earl Crouch, who mined for gold in the area west of Cody, WY. The story starts with the year 1917. Earl and Randy’s Granddad, Earl, were good friends, and as a result, Randy got to know Earl and heard many of his stories. Earl Crouch’s mine was not far from where Randy grew up, just in another drainage of the North Fork of the Shoshone river. NOTE: The thumbnail picture was generated on Bing AI image generator, from text prompts that The Real Gunsmith’s Wife, Cathy, used to get this image, as we have no pictures of Earl Crouch. Here are two links to just one of the Internment Centers was located around 35 miles from where we live. If you are ever in the area, stop by the Heart Mountain Internment Center: https://www.heartmountain.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_Mountain_Relocation_Center Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IGYapCaw9yE https://randyscustomrifles.com/shop

Help support the Real Gunsmith’s Wife for her labors in production: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby In the March 2024 issue of Shooting Times, Joseph Von Benedict says that Federal will load custom ammunition for your rifle, which is true. Where the hype comes in is for him and Federal to claim that their custom loads, worked up for your rifle, is going to be the top of the line. This is not possible without a custom load worked up for YOUR particular rifle. No rifle of the same caliber, made, even of the same components, will like, or digest, or work as accurately in one rifle as it will for another. Custom loads, premium loads, not worked up to your specific rifle is a disservice. Federal’s offering is great for those who want loads for their caliber, but they need to know it may not be the optimum load for their own rifle. The only way to do that is to have myself or other handloader work up a specific load for your specific rifle, using that rifle, to wring out the best possible load. Randy details why a “custom” load, not built for your specific rifle, but just for the caliber of your rifle, using “premium”, “match” or “select” components, does not equal premium, match or select ammo for YOUR rifle. As mentioned here are two links to bench shooting techniques that Randy has developed and used, with great success and accuracy over the years. https://youtu.be/6-Ds3YCJhWI and https://youtu.be/dsmxRTBAgnc Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eOPMI2dzgmc https://www.randyscustomrifles.com https://www.randyscustomrifles.com/shop

This video was first issued to our Patreons, https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith, on July 28, 2020. Therefore, the comment/description below refers to the latest issue of Shooting Times AT THAT time. we are now sharing here on our YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/therealgunsmith and on our Rumble channel: https://rumble.com/user/therealgunsmith . Thank you all for following us. There is always at least 48 exclusive videos on our Patreon channel as well as photography, artography and articles of interest. 7-28-2020 As Randy has reiterated, the issues with the 6.5 Creedmoor has been in variations in cartridge brass. Many of the naysayers have said, "It is just you, no one hears of this, no articles, yada, yada". Now, in the latest issue of Shooting Times, this issue is brought to light. But is it stated correctly? Randy thinks the author #Joseph Von Benedict, has a glimmer, but he blamed the action, not the two cases that fit too tight. Despite the other 18 being just fine. View this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aiq1ens2Jfs See our Merchandise Page: https://randyscustomrifles.com/shop

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cathyselby Just started to help Cathy, The Real Gunsmith's Wife with production and all that entails. First published 12-31-2019 on our Patreon channel, https://www.patreon.com/therealgunsmith We now offer it here. Thanks for your support on Patreon and YouTube and Rumble, as well as all of you who have had Randy do work for you, whether a custom rifle build, a conversion or repair. God bless you all. Continuing with last month's theme, Randy presents two other great factory rifle choices, as well as showing two custom rifle options, mid range and above. Happy New Year! Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RLlL_61kFgo https://therealgunsmith.com/shop Our Merchandise page.

First published on our Patreon channel, https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith , we are now sharing here on our YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/therealgunsmith and on our Rumble channel: https://rumble.com/user/therealgunsmith . Thank you all for following us. There is always at least 48 exclusive videos on our Patreon channel as well as photography, artography and articles of interest. In this video Randy challenges reloaders to become handloaders and gives concrete examples of what to do to take the steps to up your "game" of reloading to be come a handloader. Attention to detail, always attention to detail is a start. Challenge yourself and your practices. Thanks for your Patronage. We truly appreciate it! Our prayer is that you and yours stay safe and well in this chaotic time. Randy explains the difference between reloading, more as a hobby, versus handloading, which entails more attention to detail, a wider range of experience, and different “reloading” practices will help you become a more confident handloader. https://youtu.be/JhL117EV9K4

For our last video of 2023: Randy reminisces about a neighbor of theirs from when he was growing up, Ted Ogston, who at one time was predator control for Yellowstone National Park, McKinley National Park and later Death Valley. Also, in the video, we show the cover pages of 3 booklets, two by Ted, one by his wife, Helen, that they wrote and had published by the Cody Enterprise in 1970 and 1971. We are not aware of any outlet for the copies. The Cody Enterprise, when contacted, did not know anything about them. If I hear anything back from them, I will add the information here. Thumbnail image created from text generated by Cathy, The Real Gunsmith’s Wife, on Bing AI image generator, and then modified in Corel PaintShop Pro 2020. Thank you all, so much, for following our channel, for the emails, calls, work and new friendships formed. We appreciate you all and pray for the Lord to bless you as abundantly as He has blessed us, and more! Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t8CAfmxukCM https://randyscustomrifles.com

Merry Christmas and best wishes for you all for a blessed New Year, for The Real Gunsmith, Randy, and The Real Gunsmith’s Wife, Cathy. Cathy reads a spiritual version of The Night Before Christmas that we recently heard, by Sr. St. Thomas, B.N.D. de N, Find it here: https://stmatthewcatholic.org/the-night-before-christmas-a-spiritual-version-of-the-christmas-story-2/ This reading is followed by a reading of the Gospel of St. Luke 2: 1-20. May the blessings you have given us, be returned to you, in abundance. God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1HcINT19pPA

Randy demonstrates his process on cleaning a rifle barrel. Previously aired on our our Patreon Channel on 12-7-2018, we are making this available to our general audience. God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/x6LnNVJyLXc

This video is dedicated to Mark Uptain who lost his life to a grizzly bear sow and her cub while guiding an elk hunter in Northwest Wyoming. 2018 Our sincerest prayers go out to his family. Growing up hunting in grizzly bear country, Randy has witnessed the grizzly population explode in the Northwest corner of Wyoming. Before the grizzly was put on the endangered species list it had a healthy fear of humans and conflicts between bears and people were almost nonexistent. Since they were listed in 1975 the grizzly has learned that humans are not a threat and have lost their fear which causes them to be even more dangerous and unpredictable. If you are a hunter who draws a tag in grizzly country, are you ready and able to respond and act appropriately during a close encounter with a bear? If it charges can you defend yourself? In the video Randy mentions an article that talks about using Bear Spray to deter a bear attack. That can be found here: https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2018/5/25/bear-defense-from-the-professionals/ God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6l_34fVG-O8

First published on our Patreon channel, The Real Gunsmith, we are now making this content available to our Youtube followers. Randy goes in detail describing his method for developing a load using the 300 Weatherby as an example. God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/w1OJy5958iU

UPDATE: Due to a number of variations, the package may be a bit different than shown here. Contact Randy at randyselby@randyscustomrifles.com for a quote. Just in time for hunting season, Randy has finished his first rifle in the RCR series of rifles with serial number 001 complete and available to find its new home. One lucky person will be able to get serial number RCR001 which incorporates Randy's vast knowledge and years of experience into this accurate and well built rifle from the best components available. This rifle is a 300 Winchester Magnum with a Borden Action specially built for Randy's Custom Rifles. This rifle comes with a Hart Rifle Barrel, Randy’s Custom Rifles Muzzle Brake, McMillan Fiberglass Stock, HS Precision Bottom Metal, Timney Trigger, Leupold VX 5HD 3-15x44mm [30mm] CDS 2L2 Windplex Scope, Leupold RX1600 and Custom Load Development done by Randy himself. Other calibers we suggest in an RCR series rifle are: .257 Weatherby, .264 Winchester, .270 Weatherby, 7MM x .300, Weatherby, .300 Weatherby, .300 Winchester, .300 Remington Ultra Mag, .338 Remington Ultra Mag. If you desire other calibers, contact Randy. To find out more about this available rifle and the RCR of Custom Rifle built around the Borden action for our shot, visit therealgunsmith.com and click Custom Rifles, Long Range Rifles as well as Custom Rifles, Tactical for building YOUR custom International Hunter or Tactical Traveler. God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7SU3Y6q3d7Y

Randy discusses how barrel groove diameter may affect accuracy. He points out that internal rifle barrel dimensions in factory rifles are larger than in match quality barrels. God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jj_ZRd9n3_I

Hello this is Bryon with Ravenhawk Media. I produced the videos for Randy’s channel The Real Gunsmith, for a year and a half. Randy and I decided to try our luck this fall elk hunting with the intent that one of us shoot an elk on camera. We spent a few good days in the saddle with no luck and decided to wait a few days for some colder weather to move in. One morning a couple days later I got a call from Randy. I answered the phone and he said “I need my camera man, I shot a good bull this morning!”. I quickly arranged my schedule and headed up the canyon to meet Randy. His friend Ron got in town the night before and that morning Randy and Ron decided to drive up river on the North Fork and see if they could see anything. As luck would have it, they caught a small herd crossing the road and heading up the mountain. Randy was able to park and get set up for the shot before they moved out of range. He couldn’t pass up the opportunity as hunting had been slow. The rest of the story is told in the video. Photos by Randy’s wife Cathy Selby. God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CK0bVX7D9kA

Randy describes the difference between control feed and push feed actions and talks about the advantages of a Sako push feed action. God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mAT2Y1iyzrg

Randy talks about Hornady's new 30 PRC caliber. Why try to reinvent the wheel? God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DCx7BdHMrKs

Randy talks about thin jacketed bullets and why they're not good for hunting. Most high BC bullets are thin jacketed bullets which allows them to shoot further more effectively, but with poor construction they do not perform like a hunting bullet should upon impact. They make great target bullets, but use properly constructed hunting bullets to shoot game. God bless. https://randyscustomrifles/shop Thank you for watching. Support us on Patreon and get 4 years worth of exclusive videos, photos, and other items of interest: https://patreon.com/therealgunsmith Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1BXrrJZF7v0