{"id":8748,"date":"2014-04-12T13:12:07","date_gmt":"2014-04-12T13:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ramworks.net\/blog\/?p=8748"},"modified":"2015-12-07T20:49:13","modified_gmt":"2015-12-07T20:49:13","slug":"pretty-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/pretty-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Pretty Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Drema's<\/a>
Drema’s custom 1911 from Dove Custom Guns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun is beaming down and you’re sweating. Your shoulder or maybe your hand is a little sore from too much time behind the trigger. And, possibly, your elbow is a bit weak from working the reloading press. You and your buddy walk down range and gander at the target and he say’s, “Boy, that sure is a pretty group!” You smile, turn, and walk the 100 yards back to the bench thinking about how nervous you were when you squeezed off that fifth shot.<\/p>\n

How many pretty groups have you ruined with that fifth or maybe 10th shot? My friend Johnny Walker likes to say, “Anybody can shoot nine good shots, its that 10th one that gets you.” How true. But it could also be said that there’s always one shot in a group you’d like to do over. Pretty groups are one thing and I guess some pretty groups have won some trophies. Me? I like pretty guns that shoot little groups and I’m not overly concerned with how pretty the cluster is.<\/p>\n

I’ve had the luxury of working with a variety of custom gunsmiths over the years. Charlie Sisk<\/a> down in Texas builds some good shooting rifles and he is a pleasure to work with. Lately he has strayed a bit from crafting one of a kind custom hunting rifles and is working diligently on perfecting his unique S.T.A.R. rifle<\/a>. At 5 Gs +, Charlie’s guns are not cheap. Once you get a reputation for quality work your prices have to reflect that reputation or the waiting list would be as long as time you wait to get that tax refund.\u00a0Melvin Forbes<\/a> with New Ultra Light Arms<\/a> has built several rifles for me too and since I like good shooting, lightweight hunting rifles, there are several of them in my safe. Melvin’s guns start on the other side of 3Gs; its that reputation thing again.<\/p>\n

\"CUR<\/a>
CUR # 1. Built by Dove’s Custom Guns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thing is, a gunsmith dose not have to have a big name reputation to build pretty guns that shoot. They just have to know what they are doing. And, I’ve\u00a0learned that sometimes the prettiest and best shooting guns come from the guys who are working to establish that reputation. Jerry Dove at Dove Custom Guns<\/a> is one such guy. Jerry was at one time a top ranked IPSC shooter and during that time he was building guns that allowed him and a few other\u00a0shooters to reach that top rank level. Jerry still shoots competitively but mostly on a local level. And, he still builds guns. When my wife decided she wanted a .45, Jerry took a box stock Remington and turned into a sweet looking, smooth functioning, serious shooting iron.<\/p>\n

More recently Dove has been experimenting with longer guns and he is the guy I turned to, to build CUR # 1. While he was working on my conditional\u00a0utility rifle (CUR) he was also building a 6.5 x 55 on a Winchester action. I stopped by his shop the other day and he presented the finished product. I thought it was a fine looking rifle and when he showed me the groups he had been shooting I said, “Them sure are pretty.”<\/p>\n

Jerry suggested I take the rifle out for a spin and yesterday evening I probably got the barrel too hot for its own good. Admittedly, my groups were not as pretty as Jerry’s (Maybe you have to be a really good shot to make really pretty groups.) but they were small. I asked Jerry what he was going to do with the 6.5 and he said, “She’s ready for sale; I’m going to build something else now.”<\/p>\n

\"Dove's<\/a>
Dove’s custom 6.5 x 55 and a three hole, five shot group. It may not be the prettiest but its small enough for me.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I thought, this is not a good thing.<\/strong><\/em> I finally find a gunsmith without that big name reputation, a gunsmith that can turn projects around for me in just a couple weeks, and he goes and starts building fine looking guns that shoot like a house a-fire. (Where did that saying come from because it makes absolutely no sense?) Then I thought, maybe I should just keep Jerry a secret; if I don’t spread the word I can keep him all to myself.<\/p>\n

No, that won’t work. When a guy is building guns like this, word will get out. Better for me to be the one to tell you. How would it look if you learned there was a good gun builder living and working right in my home town and I hadn’t told you about him?<\/p>\n

Pretty groups or pretty guns, which is most important? Those two things are not mutually exclusive and if you find the right gun plumber you can get both at the same time. The bigger the name, the more you will pay and the longer you will wait. So, I suggest you give Jerry Dove a call, I know that tax rerun money is burning a hole in your pocket. But do me a favor and give me a couple months; there are still a few things I need him to do!<\/p>\n

\"CUR<\/a>
You might like this too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The sun is beaming down and you’re sweating. Your shoulder or maybe your hand is a little sore from too much time behind the trigger. And, possibly, your elbow is a bit weak from working the reloading press. You and your buddy walk down range and gander at the target and he say’s, “Boy, that sure is a pretty group!” You smile, …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2522],"tags":[576,411,577,578],"class_list":["post-8748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hunt","tag-custom-carry-guns","tag-custom-hunting-rifles","tag-doves-custom-guns","tag-the-cur-rifle"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5hujZ-2h6","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13446,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/enough-gun-is-not-as-much-as-you-think\/","url_meta":{"origin":8748,"position":0},"title":"“Enough Gun” is not as much as you think!","author":"gunwriter","date":"June 3, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"I got no problem with folks who like to hunt with big guns. I have a .35 Whelen and a .45\/70 I like to use and both - appropriately loaded \u2013 will near cross your eyes when you pull the trigger. The problem I have is with folks who think\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HUNTING"","block_context":{"text":"HUNTING","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/hunt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"FF-1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/FF-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/FF-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/FF-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/FF-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16418,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/daily-blog-12-11-20-307-winchester\/","url_meta":{"origin":8748,"position":1},"title":"Daily Blog: 12\/11\/20 (307 Winchester)","author":"gunwriter","date":"December 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"In 1983 I purchased the first Winchester 94AE in 307 Winchester that I laid eyes on. It was a fantastic little rifle that fired a very powerful \u2013 by lever-action standards \u2013 cartridge. I hunted with that rifle for several years until the newness of the cartridge started to wain\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Daily Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Daily Blog","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/daily-blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/307-1.jpg?fit=480%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8612,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/express-yourself\/","url_meta":{"origin":8748,"position":2},"title":"Express Yourself","author":"gunwriter","date":"March 18, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Nothing like a new gun, except maybe a new, old gun with some personalized customization. Maybe one even chambered for a new cartridge. I\u2019ve been working on two projects for the last several months and both are based on Mossberg\u2019s MVP Predator rifle. I\u2019ve been a fan of the MVP\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"What does that say on the barrel?","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/MVP-4-300x201.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13612,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/the-patriot-scout-sneak-peek\/","url_meta":{"origin":8748,"position":3},"title":"The Patriot Scout- Sneak Peek","author":"gunwriter","date":"July 7, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Some who operate in the shadowy world of the scout rifle elite have proposed nothing new or worthwhile would come of the 2016 Scout Rifle Conference, which starts next week at Gunsite Academy. Speculations have included the notion that the event\u00a0is nothing more than an attempt to legitimize a rewrite\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"MPS-2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/MPS-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/MPS-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/MPS-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/MPS-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14452,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/a-most-affordable-scout-rifle\/","url_meta":{"origin":8748,"position":4},"title":"A Most Affordable Scout Rifle","author":"gunwriter","date":"October 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"If you're looking for an affordable platform to build a Scout Rifle on, check out the Mossberg Patriot. In 2016 Jerry Dove of Dove Custom Guns and I pioneered this concept and since then it has been a base rifle for a custom scout by Granite Mountain Tactical. Here is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Patriot Scout-3","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Patriot-Scout-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Patriot-Scout-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Patriot-Scout-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Patriot-Scout-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13394,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/a-nighthawk-revolver\/","url_meta":{"origin":8748,"position":5},"title":"A Nighthawk Revolver ???","author":"gunwriter","date":"May 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Nighthawk Custom\u00a0is partnering\u00a0with Korth Arms to bring Nighthawk designed-Korth built revolvers to the US.\u00a0They've also entered into an exclusive distribution agreement for all Korth firearms being imported into the US, with certain models being\u00a0enhanced to meet the\u00a0needs of American shooters. The initial offering of Nighthawk\/Korth firearms\u00a0will begin with three revolvers.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mongoose-001b","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Mongoose-001b-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Mongoose-001b-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Mongoose-001b-1024x683.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Mongoose-001b-1024x683.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8748"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8748\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14396,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8748\/revisions\/14396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}