Custom Corner
Precision Rifle Checking: Winchester Model 70
column By: Staff | September, 25
The proud owner of the Rifle Is Dave VanBoxtaele, owner of Precision Rifle, in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dave did all of the gunsmithing, checkering and stock work on this rifle. With Bob Szweda doing most of the machining on the rifle. A talented gunsmith who is now retired but some might remember from the RMS Gunsmithing ads that used to run in Rifle magazine. Another contributor to the rifle is master engraver Phil Quigley, whose work has been featured in this column in the past. Phil did his usual masterful job engraving this rifle and as usual the devil is in the details, such as the engraved scope rings and where the barrel ties into the action, adding an overall completed look to the rifle without overdoing it. Upon inspecting the engraving and the rifle itself, it’s impossible to miss the deep, distinct color case hardening of the receiver, bottom metal and scope rings. All of the color case hardening was completed by Parkwest Arms out of South Dakota, which is owned by Steve Rabackoff and Tim Land. They are known for exceptional craftsmanship, it is reflected in the deep, remarkable color case hardening displayed on this rifle. This combination of talent is rarely seen, especially on a single rifle such as this.
Every part of this rifle was hand-picked from the Burl Maple forend to add a unique flair to the overall aesthetic of the rifle, to the stock blank that came all the way from Istanbul, Turkey. The rifle wears a Leupold 4-12x 40mm optic, which adds to the classic yet sophisticated look of the rifle.
In examining the rifle even further, you can see the masterful touch of Dave’s hand on the rifle with unique single-pattern checkering on the forend. Taking a closer look at the wrist will reveal a fleur-de-lis five-ribbon hand checkered pattern, something you simply don’t see every day. Everything that went into this rifle makes it a pure work of art, but an art that is tempered with skill and experience. It gleams proudly everywhere you look on this rifle. Getting into the nitty-gritty, there is not only engraving on the screws, but they are also all timed perfectly with each other. While talking with Dave, I asked him how long this rifle took to complete from start to finish. His answer was a few years, but that included the fact that his first stock, another beautiful example of Turkish walnut, warped on him and had to be replaced. These rifles only come around every few years. Add a few years of master craftsmanship, and you truly have a one-of-a-kind rifle.
