Like all stories this one has a beginning, it starts with a letter from Alexia herself:

Alexia’s Letter:

Finding a rifle:

Below is the donor rifle we found in a local gun shop, a nice clean 60’s Rem. 700 BDL in .243.

Selecting a Barrel:

For the barrel:  One of Ron’s excellent barrels, 6 mm, 3 groove, 1X9 twist, Stainless steel #1 contour.

Action Blue Printing and Brake installation:

Getting the action blueprinted and the barrel and brake installed at Ken Sedon’s Shop

Firearms Machine Services Kalispell, MT

406-755-5116

Metal Finishing:

Off to Jeff for his Ceramic polymer treatment

www.falcongunfinishing.com

Pictures and email from Alexia:

Hi Bob and Jill. Attached you will find 3 pictures one is when I was 3 years old that we used to hunt in Florida all the time, the other one is when I was 7 with my first doe, and the last one is a present picture. Hopefully, I will get many other pictures with my new rifle this year. Thank you, send pictures!

Love,

Alexia

Alexia’s Completed Rifle

BEFORE

AFTER

Alexia’s completed rifle features:

The finished weight of Alexia’s .243 rifle as shown is 5 lbs 4 ozs.

Components:

• Rem. 700 BDL action
• Benchmark barrel
• Timney 700 trigger
• Vais Micro-brake
• Smithed by Ken Sedon at Firearms Machine Services
• Talley Ultralite scope rings
• Metal finishing – Falcon Gun Finishing
• Stock – Lone Wolf Summit XL , kevlar/graphite construction
• Zebra pattern done at Hydro-dip

Rifle Project Manager: Bob Culbertson

Tools needed:

1. Cleaning rod – 1 piece (we like Bore Tech and Pro-shot) and Bore Guide matched to action and caliber.

2. Rifle rest or vise and cleaning supplies: cotton patches, nylon brushes, bore jag, synthetic bore cleaner (we like Bore Tech Eliminator, Butches Bore Shine and Pro Shot) and bore conditioner (Bore Tech and Rem Oil). Always follow directions from the supplier you choose. Our method outlined below:

Break-in Procedure

First 10 shots: clean barrel completely after each round fired. Second 15 rounds: clean barrel completely after each 3 shot string and start shooting for groups. Third 15 rounds: clean barrel completely after each 5 shot groups and shoot for accuracy. Procedure will vary depending on quality of the barrel you have selected, some need more cleaning and some need less.

Cleaning Procedure

Saturate 3-5 flannel patches with bore cleaner, and push them thru the bore to remove loose fouling. Make 10-20 passes through the bore with a nylon brush saturated with bore cleaner, let it soak for 5-10 minutes.

Push several wet patches, using your jag, through the barrel, to remove excess solvent and loosen fowling and switch to dry patches until clean. Repeat procedure if needed. Use isopropyl alcohol to remove very aggressive solvents, like Sweets.

Apply a bore conditioner (Teflon lubricant) to bore when completed. Once the barrel is broken-in you should clean approximately every 20-25 rounds depending on the barrel.

For moly coated bullets contact the bullet supplier for cleaning information.

First let me say that I have spent the last 15 years of my life learning to shoot and perfect the use of ultra lightweight rifles. I have developed highly sophisticated lightweight carbon fiber barrels as well as rifles capable of extreme accuracy. It is now possible to have world class benchrest quality accuracy in a lightweight rifle.

The high performance available to rifleman today in lightweight packages requires us to address some issues that will insure we can wring out the best in these guns

First, you must understand that lightweight rifles are certainly every bit as accurate as any rifle, and sometimes even more accurate depending on the components used. Do not assume that you are limiting performance simply due to weight..

The main thing to remember is that since the rifle is light, it is more sensitive to all the influences affecting performance: touch, trigger pull, shoulder pressure, bag and or rest pressure, wind as well as the psychological issues such as anticipation of recoil.

In addressing some of these issues I will make an effort to provide suggestions that will help achieve your accuracy and performance goals.

Once the rifle is properly broken in and a maintenance regimen is established, you must first determine what the “money shot” means for your rifle. It it’s a hunting gun, determine what conditions the rifle will be used in and how you most likely will be mounting the gun when taking that all important shot at what could be the trophy of a lifetime. What I mean by this is how will you shoulder the gun? Tight shoulder pressure, light pressure, where will the forend be supported most likely, on shooting sticks, bi-pod or backpack?

Practice at the range that does not reflect field conditions will more than likely give you point of impact differences and take away the more important factor in rifle performance: confidence.

When developing loads and practicing at the range, the first thing to establish is how the gun reacts when dry fired. I suggest putting the smallest aiming point you can see clearly at the longest range you can and then mount the gun. Make all necessary optical adjustments to your scope at its maximum power and then chamber a dummy round. This is important in dry firing to insure that all harmonic factors are identical to field conditions. Watch very carefully through the scope to what happens to your aiming point when the sear breaks. You will be surprised at the amount of movement you see. Take another shot to see if you are repeating your shooting technique to verify any movement you see is the same as the first shot.

Now examine even closer your mount of the gun, is the shoulder pressure what you will use in the field? If so, change your cheek pressure or trigger squeeze a little and fire again. If the movement has diminished, tweak your grip on the gun and repeat until you see the crosshairs stay right where you are aiming. You will soon see how significant your influence on the gun is, no matter how seemingly small of change is made.

I can’t over emphasize the importance of this dry fire practice as taught to me by a world class cast bullet benchrest competitor who actually does this during matches to maintain his shooting technique to insure his performance is solid.

The position of the rifle on the rest is sometimes critical in getting good groups out of your gun while at the range for testing and load development. I have found that the majority of the time lightweight rifles prefer the front rest or forend support to be a little further back than most are used to. I like my rest to be just in front of the chamber area generally.

The rear bag position is less critical to performance, but, the front rest position can cause problems until the sweet spot is located.

Try different rest positions on the forend during your dry firing routine to help establish the most stable position of your gun. If sandbags or some other type of rest is being used during your range sessions, the same influences apply. Try different positions on the forend until your rifle performs to your standards. I would avoid using any rest that pinches tightly the forend or contacts the barrel in any way (like bull bags); and do not use any rest that supports or holds the rifle during recoil (like lead sleds). These products put undue recoil on the weapon, and give false accuracy results. Recoil is part of the game, if you can’t handle the recoil, switch to a lighter caliber.

When this is done and you have established a steady hold during the dry firing, it’s now time to go hot. Load a live round and repeat all the good things you just learned during the dry firing session and put a perfect shot on target. Do not forget to do this dry fire exercise each and every time you go to the range in order to teach yourself what your gun needs from you.

Take a moment during your live fire sessions to let your barrel cool to ambient temperature to insure consistent performance. This is most critical when a lightweight steel barrel is used. You will see the best accuracy when everything you and your rifle do is consistent. You will also save the life of your barrel throat by keeping things cool. You carbon barrel shooters realize this is not a factor in your shooting as far as performance, but, your throat will pay for any shooting done rapidly.

Forget about recoil as a factor in your rifle’s performance. Recoil has a much larger influence on your performance than it does on the rifle. I cannot remember anyone recounting a great shot made on a successful hunt ever mentioning recoil. If the recoil of your rifle is truly detrimental to your shooting , don’t be hesitant to down size caliber or add a muzzle brake. The ability to put the bullet exactly where you want each and every time you pull the trigger is more important than power and speed.

When going to the range for practice, make sure and document in your notebook where that first clean cold bore shot impacts as sell as all other shots taken. That way you can adjust shot placement to reflect where the rifle shoots in any condition.

In closing, I want to reiterate that the mastery of a lightweight high performance rifle is indeed more difficult to achieve then a heavier gun. But, the many advantages far outweight any perceived disadvantages. Don’t forget, there are not shortcuts to anyplace worth going. The ability to shoot great groups with a lightweight rifle makes you a significantly better shooter. The diligence required takes us to higher levels of performance and lets us self-diagnose our technique during dry fire which will prove to be invaluable to each and every shooting discipline.

If you are reading this, you are obviously considering becoming a customer of Lone Wolf Rifle Stocks. As the inventor of the Magnumlite carbon fiber barrel, and the holder of the three patents issued relative to the construction of this barrel system, I can assure you that you cannot and will not find a better stock anywhere. I have used Bob Culbertson stocks exclusively on each and every one of my personal guns as well as every development rifle I have built and will continue to build. Bob’s stock virtually cut my group sizes in half on my first project and I have never looked back.

Good luck in your shooting;

David B. Smith

When we received the stock, we were pretty surprised. He had included the original invoice; he purchased the stock 18 years ago. Except for a couple of dings and a pretty beat up Pachmayr pad it looked great. We had bedded an old tang safety Ruger 77 in the stock, and the bedding still looked perfect.

As it turned out, our hunter was just sick of the original camo color and wanted it painted black, he said he had sighted it in when he got it, checked it every year and it never moved.

So why had this stock provided so many years of service? To fully understand why, let’s first look at stock manufacturing technology.

If a shooter decides to purchase a composite rifle stock, his choices are: injected molded, hand laminated, or a hybrid combining the two technologies.

The injected molded stocks are sold on most factory rifles available from Winchester, Ruger, Remington, Browning and others. These stocks are inexpensive to manufacture (usually $7-10) and can be called composite. The injection molding process is to inject hot plastic (some with glass fibers) into a mold and allow it to cool – instant stock. If you are looking for performance, they don’t work. The material used is heavy – as heavy as walnut, they flex way too much to provide any accuracy – try bend and flexing one, and they have no stability – on a hot day, they will warp. Plus, they cannot be bedded, ever wonder why some companies use hot meld glue to bed the barrel actions? Epoxy bedding compound just won’t stick to the material. And, they break, snap like twigs! The material is very porous and fills with salt, oil, contaminates and causes deterioration. Given a choice between a wood stock or molded, I would choose the wood.

The hand-laminated stocks can be split into 2 groups: epoxy/glass and polyester/glass. Both materials are liquid resins that require a catalyst for cure and are reinforced with fiberglass, Kevlar, or carbon fiber cloth for strength. The resin and cloth are wet out and put in a mold cavity to make the desired part. This technology makes a firm, rigid, durable structure and is used to make boats, racing car bodies, airplane parts – the list can be endless.

Epoxy resin has a 3 dimensional molecular structure, high resistance to impact damage, complete 100% cure cycle, complete stability once cured, unlimited life, and is light weight. Polyester resin is less expensive, has a 2 dimensional molecular structure, is brittle, with an incomplete cure cycle (usually 70%) up to 7 years and then starts to deteriorate, unstable in heat and cold and is heavier. Each material has its place in composite manufacturing, for rifle stocks, look for an epoxy product.

The hand laminated stocks are the most expensive to make. It is a labor-intensive process. Lamination time on a complex stock design can take 4 or more hours. The strength and stability of the stock depends on the blending of the cloth and resin at the optimum 70% cloth – 30% resin and reinforcing the critical stress areas to eliminate and future problems. The stocks are made using fiberglass cloth, Kevlar – for lightweight, or graphite – for stability and rebound. Then each stock is hand finished and painted.

Bedding is mandatory with a glass stock, I have seen groups cut in half with a good bedding job. I would not consider one without bedding – professional bedding!

When made right, these stocks are lightweight, strong, stable, trouble free, and an extremely durable product. Several companies offer good hand-laminated rifle stocks, they are the standard by which all stocks are judged.

Hybrid stocks are usually some combination of technologies designed to cut cost by eliminating the ‘hands on’ part of the process. These stocks offer a lower price but have to compromise weight and longevity. They are usually reinforced with aluminum for strength. Since aluminum has different physical and mechanical characteristics than composites, needless problems are created. It is impossible to get aluminum and composite resins to bond indefinitely; you can only create a physical bond because the materials are so dissimilar. Target shooters have used aluminum stocks and they require constant resighting from changes in weather conditions since aluminum is greatly affected by heat. However, gunsmiths seem to like these stocks because they are advertised as not needing bedding. I guess I would prefer not adding the 3rd material in the mix between steel and glass, keep it simple.

Ok, now back to our hunter with his 18 year old stock and why it never failed him. The technology used in making his stock was not too far away from what we do today, there have been refinements in the resins, hardeners and the cloth, and now, we make each stock specifically to a customers restocking job. Some of the newer cloth blends allow us to make lighter and lighter stocks; I would have never imagined a 12 OZ hunting stock.

His stock was kevlar/graphite epoxy hand laminated using monocoque construction – meaning there is a continuous cloth lamination throughout both the exterior and interior (receiver and barrel channel). The interior of the stock thru the receiver was a solid epoxy milled fiber matrix, with the forend and butt filled with polyurethane foam to dampen noise and vibration. Using this type of construction the stock absorbs the load put on it during the recoil of the weapon and instantly rebounds to be ready for the next shot.

The rifle was bedded with the same epoxy that was used in the construction of the stock so it has both a chemical and mechanical bond to the stock and the same physical characteristics as the stock. This is very important since the bedding ties the stock, barrel, and receiver together making it work as a single unit; the receiver and floorplate was bedded 100%, the cartridge length of the barrel bedded and ‘floated’ from there out. The rifle was bedded without any pillars although if I were doing the rifle today, I would use pillars. The stock made and fitted this way has given years of service and should continue to do so for many more years to come.

I like to think there have been a lot of changes in technology since we made this stock in 1985 and there have been a few, but most of the changes are with the rifle owners. I seldom hear “I just like the looks of wood” or “I’ll quit hunting before I use one of those damn plastic things”. For accurate hunting and target rifles, glass is the 1st choice; the modern day hunter demands it. A well made, and well-finished glass stock mounted on a custom barreled receiver performs beyond anyone’s expectation – today and in 18 years.

Current Listings:

MRC 22-250 ack. imp, Ultra Thumbhole II carbon fiber stock, EAS bedding, Kick-eze recoil pad, 13 1/2″ lop, Hart 23″ S/S 1X12 twist fluted bull barrel, Vias brake, Leupold 12X duplex reticle on a Ken Farrel Pic -0- Base $3250

MRC action, Benchmark 29″ S/S fluted 1X9.5 twist, chambered to 6.5X284 $1550*

MRC action, Lawrence Rifle Barrels 20 1/2″ S/S fluted 1X12 twist .308 Win $1650* SOLD

Tactical Master – Howa/S&W/Vangard short action, Kevlar – carbonfiber, Morgan recoil pad, 3 studs $545 *SOLD

Rem, 700 short BDL, Vectran cloth summit, gray granite, Hogue recoil pad, 13 1/2″ lop, studs, 18 ozs. $655 – SOLD

Ultra Thumb Hole, last of the gel coated ultra thumbhole stocks, inlet for Kodiak, Kevlar/carbonfiber, no pad, no studs, 34 ozs $345 – SOLD

Mk V kevlar/carbonfiber stock, inlet for HVA action, studs, Lone Wolf Recoil pad 13 3/8″lop, dark gray granite $ 525

Rem. 700 long, 26 1/2″ Magnum Research carbon barrel (Pac-Nor liner), 1X10 twist, chambered to 30-06 Ack Imp, Kwik Klip, $1950*

Summit – Mauser -Sold-

Hello Lone Wolf
Meant to send you this shot of my Summit XL clad Rem 700 in its natural environment this past summer.
Your stock has made my 700 in to a true “Mountain Rifle” in every sense. Light, rugged, DEPENDABLE!
Happy holidays
P. Christensen
Whitehorse
Yukon

Hey Bob-

Well, you were right! Your stock made all the difference. It is amazing how much lighter my rifle is and how much tighter my groups are. Thanks for the great work. I have attached a couple photos of the Ram I got in the Brooks Range a couple weeks ago. He is 12 years old and 36″. 410 yrd shot

Take care

T. McManus

Bob,

I thought I would send you a picture of a pretty .416 rem mag that was made for me last year , I hope all is well in your world.

D. Dollar

Bob,

Just a long overdue note to let you know how the Montana action 300 Win Mag that you built for me is working out.

As the gun is approaching a solid break in it continues to produce 3 shot groups that have been as small as <.400. Most of the time however these old eyes do something stupid to open up the group.

I took the rifle to NewMexico Elk hunting last fall and found it very easy to carry.  We started at 9,000 feet and got as high as 11,300. The gun carries much easier than it looks. It was a very successful trip having passed one too many times the gun was on elk 5 different times.

The pictures attached above are from a trip to RSA which I just returned from. The Kudu hunt was more like an elk hunt with 60 degree side hills and more than a mile stalk to position a shot at 324 yards from one side of a valley to the other. All four animals required just one shot. I’ve been shooting Barnes MRX 180 grain bullets at 2950 fps with great success.  Only one bullet was recovered and that was from the Zebra having been shot quartering to me on the right shoulder passing length wise through the Zebra to lodge under the hide just in front of the left rear leg. I’ve not weighed the bullet but there certainly is close to 90%+ retained weight.  I’ve also had success with a 150 grain Nosler Accubond round at 3225 fps.  Which also shoots in less than .500″ groups consistently.

Everyone that picks the gun up is amazed at the weight, balance and most like the palm swell. Those that have shot it comment on the minimum recoil felt for such a light rifle. The Vias muzzle brake is a big help on the bench but is not needed in the field.

Thanks again for a great product. If I can help in anyway recommend your work please let me know.

Mike Wettstein

You can’t argue with these results.  Congratulations on your hunt Charlie!

Your stock looks/works great! You build an awesome stock. Couldn’t be a happier customer…put me down as a referral for future customers. – T. Vaught

Tim sent us an update the other day:

Sirs You both should be pretty familiar with how happy I am with the rifle that you guys built.

It shoots, balances, and offers the highest amount of ballistic horsepower vs. recoil vs. barrel length for a low volume hunting rifle I can think of.

I had the rifle in Sportsman’s Warehouse in Anchorage today looking to fit some Butler Creek scope covers for it.  The rifle you built is a chick magnet too…better than a puppy, kittens, crutches, uniform or anything else I’ve ever heard of (or tried).   If you’d like a real life testimonial as to this new found value adder to your rifle builds/stocks, feel free to contact me, and I’ll be happy to relate the story of today first hand.  Your future customers need to know about this unique feature with your products.   This may be unique to the Alaska market, but nonetheless, I think I’ve struck onto something here.  This doesn’t happen with my other guns…I think my AR15 is too scary, my pistol to small, my hunting ADL rifle too old school, my 338s to big, the Cheytac looks to Terminator-ish….but the 30-338 Lapua JE Custom Lone Wolf, is just edgey enough to appeal, but yet just safe enough to not be spooky.  I think I have women figured out now…let me know if you need any advice:)    Take care, hope I made you smile….and no I’m not joking, I’m actually serious about it being a chick magnet today.

Take care.

Tim

Here are some pictures of my javelina hunt. I just love my rifle. The light weight of the stock really made a difference for me. It also proved a major asset when carry up and down hills all day. Besides that it’s pretty!!

Thanks Again,

Candis

Hi Guys, You built a rifle stock from the Rogue model around my Steyr M-III professional about 3 years ago and I just wanted to let you know how much I LOVE it. The inletting / fit is just about as perfect as someone could ask for. It’s one of my primary hunting rifles but at the range, it is the most stable stock I have. I shot a 200yd 3 round group that was fit inside a nickel ! That’s STRONG! Thanks again - S. Parker

Dale Clymer – Elk

Chad West – Buck

This is a Remington 700 titanium with a Rock Creek cut rifled barrel, carbon wrapped by Advanced Barrel systems. It has a Lone Wolf carbon composite stock, Leupold vx-III scope, Tally one peice alluminum mounts and chambered in 6.5-284 WIN. The rifle weighs 5 lbs without the scope. These are some test groups shot at 100 with a 10mph cross wind. Loads were 140 gr Seirra Game Kings pushed by 46 gr H4831sc. Rifle built by Bettin Custom Guns for L. Barton Greenwood, AR.

The .338 Lapua at the range today! Best 3 shot, 300 yard group to date: 285″ with the Sierra 300 grain Match King. I couldn’t put the gun away fast enough. I knew better than to shoot the 4th shot! Dave

Bob:

Greetings:

Just a note to let you know that the stock is a work of art! You should sign them. Really! I put 50 rounds through it yesterday, and it was settling in better with each successive shot. Recoil is very mild, thanks to the stock, the compensator, and maybe the moly coat on the 200gr Sierra hpbt. Everyone who sees it admires the “perfect” stock. Still would like a personalized brochure to frame. I’ll put it in the shop where it will be seen. The touchup paint is appreciated as well.

Regards and thank you for your consideration:

Victor

Bob,
Just a quick note to say hello and share some photos of my recent hunt in Zimbabwe where the rifle you stocked for me accounted for 6 animals. It remains one of my favorite rifles and I received many positive comments regarding the stock from PHs and other clients alike. Hope all is well with you.

Regards,

M. Smith

Arizona Elk – D. Dumont

Shiras moose, 45″ taken on the West Fork of the Madison River in 2007.

Custom rifle used was .325 WSM with a fine stock that fit perfectly for a one shot kill.

I thought you might like to see my hunting pictures; I had a really good year.

If you notice the dates on the pictures I shot all three of these animals within a month.

I was gone allot and my wife was pissed but here is the result.

Any way thank you very much for all your help Bob, I’m looking forward to this project.

Factoring in the weight of the rifle (out of the box) 7lb 5oz minus the existing stock 2lb 1oz then adding 12oz for your stock and assuming I can get 8oz out of the bolt I can get this rifle down to 5lb 4oz + scope = 6 1/4lb WOW

Thanks again

B. Bowers

Bob,

Thought you might like to know that the “Howler” on the Browning works ok. I got a “meat” buck early with it and the attached picture is of my son and the “little” forkie he got with it. I may not be able to pry it out his hands now. I really like the way it shoots and handles, the safety is no problem. Thanks again, and give the pooches and scratch for me.

J Toms

I just wanted you to know how pleased I am with both of the rifles you made for me last year. Its strange in the fact the 300 win mag was made to shoot 180 gr bullets and it does not shoot them very well [ 1.25 ''] but it shoots 165 grains great and 200 grains great and that is even better for what I want to do with that rifle. I shot a 173 B&C South Dakota whitetail with it last fall. A great deer. Next month i am on my way to China to hunt Blue Sheep with the 7mm wsm.

D Dollar

I just wanted you to see what the new 300 did it appears this buck will make book he scored green 180 2/8 a South Dakota buck. I have put these lone wolf rifles thru a hard season.

D Dollar

Bob,

I just wanted to send you some pictures of the moose I got in Sep with the rifle you built for me. I have to tell you that everyone that saw the rifle was very impressed. I took this moose with one shot but as you can see it took a few steps in the lake before calling it quits.

The rifle is very flat shooting and the recoil feels like a .243 I wanted to thank you for building me such a great rifle and look forward to perhaps having you build me a bolt action for a Africa hunt in the next couple of years.
If you can use these pictures for any reason, by all means please do. I wanted to share with you the awards of using a great gun.

Aloha,

C. Onaka

Bob,

I recieved the rifle and it looks super. I had a chance to do the break-in and i hope this weekend to give it a good test. Attached is a copy of the big horn, I shot him on the second day he missed book by 2 points. I was sick and am still sick about that.

My guide was sick. It just happened. The 7mmwsm has had a good fall. One shot on the bighorn at 409 yards.

D. Dollar