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I lack to artistic ability to build beautiful classic custom rifles collectibles. But I can build a good shooter!

My Ruger 10-22 with every drop in accessory made, whacked a bunch gophers when I lived up by Cut Bank. The gun looks pretty sharp also. But it just lacks the class of a nice simple single.

I picked up a Remington 581 bolt gun and put a single shot adapter in and started shooting gophers one shot at a time. Gopher hunting got fun again .

But when I picked up a I.Hollis Martini Henry Cadet in 218 Mashburn Bee with a peep sight, things changed. It's a beautiful gun. It's shoots good. It's fun to shoot.

I enjoyed it so much that I took the little Hollis to Africa with me and used it to take Springbok and Steenbook as well as small game.

I picked up a Big Francotte ZAR Martini while over there and used it to take a Kudu.

I am restoring an I.Hollis Martini that was originally a Westley Richards No. 2 Musket. The South African police were going to destroy it since the barrel wasn't registered. I was able to convince them to allow the threads to be cut of and the rifling be drilled out as destruction. I will use the old Barrel as a shroud. With a little luck I will be headed back to Montana within the next year and I hope to have this rifle ready to chase deer and elk.

I brought two full Martini rifles back from South Africa on my trip. The Francotte ZAR and a Westley Richards Trade rifle in 577/450 with a MK III style action. I also brought back Westley Richard Trade rifle MK III action only.

I am going to build a .375 Flanged Magnum NE on that action...if the round will fit the action. If not I have a Greener GP that it will fit in.

There is just nothing to compare to these old singles!

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DD, Ret.

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