I have come to the conclusion that "New Guys" are welcome, BUT......

[teklanika_ray]

Ray, let me help you with posting replies and photos. Hit the reply button, type text, then go to "Attach files." Select either "camera" to take a photo and attach or select "from files" and pick something from your phone/computer photos folder. A thumbnail image will appear at the bottom of your message. Pick the place in text where you want photo to appear, put the cursor there, then go to the thumbnail image you just loaded, click on "insert", then pick full image, NOT thumbnail. Thumbnail images are very, very slow to load. Then reader must exit image viewer to go back to text. Personally, I don't know why that thumbnail option is even offered. Experienced members never use it to post images.

That obvious, I appreciate your assistance. I have absolutely been struggling with this technical stuff. My first exposure to computers was when I came to Alaska in 1997. Up until then, I felt they were video games.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

That obvious, I appreciate your assistance. I have absolutely been struggling with this technical stuff. My first exposure to computers was when I came to Alaska in 1997. Up until then, I felt they were video games.

No problem. Not like I didn't have the same issues when I joined the forum.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Hi Ray,
I have a small booklet written with plenty of pictures it depicts converting a 99 Mauser to a magnum Mauser safari rifle. It is written by a well known gunsmith.

i believe it is on my desk and I am unable to get out of bed. I will try to collect it and send details, a member turned me onto it.

Lon

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Hi Ray,
I have a small booklet written with plenty of pictures it depicts converting a 99 Mauser to a magnum Mauser safari rifle. It is written by a well known gunsmith.

i believe it is on my desk and I am unable to get out of bed. I will try to collect it and send details, a member turned me onto it.

Lon

Lon, that would be Duane Weibe's booklet. It was invaluable assistance when building my 404. $25 and worth every penny. A great guy who's very helpful and personable.

 

[teklanika_ray]

Hi Ray,
I have a small booklet written with plenty of pictures it depicts converting a 99 Mauser to a magnum Mauser safari rifle. It is written by a well known gunsmith.

i believe it is on my desk and I am unable to get out of bed. I will try to collect it and send details, a member turned me onto it.

Lon

Lon, I would love to see that pamphlet.
Ray

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Lon, I would love to see that pamphlet.
Ray

Ray, I am not able to get Duane's website to come up right now. He's in Spanaway, Washington. His phone number is (253) 535-0066. Give him a call. Great little booklet and a nice guy. His custom guns are top shelf.

 

[Deepfork]

Wow this thread got long in a short amount of time! I understand the sentiment of your original post Ray. Something about the subject matter here and the personalities it attracts seems to gather a large number of members who think everyone's opinion matters but their own matters more. (Myself included LOL!) Bottom line though, this site is a great resource. There is no place better I have come across to gather and share information on certain subjects. Getting in an occasional rub with another member is no big deal, and defiantly no worth giving up what I gain by scanning these pages and jumping in every now and then.

 

[Green Chile]

One way to get to know members here and develop your own reputation is by buying stuff on classifieds. When members have good experiences with you, trust grows for other members as well. Notice I said buying...not selling. I bought stuff here for awhile before I sold much of anything. Since then, I have bought and sold quite a few things and some of them are high end. All of those experiences help to build your reputation. Also, consider posting some hunt reports (and replying to others' reports) and it doesn't have to be Africa based. I'm working on several hunt reports now that are not about Africa.

 

[Inkgardener]

Lon, I would love to see that pamphlet.
Ray

I emailed Duane last night about getting one of these booklets. He responded this morning and said send my address and he will get one out to me, and send him a $24 check.

I did. Can’t wait to look through it!

 

[teklanika_ray]

One way to get to know members here and develop your own reputation is by buying stuff on classifieds. When members have good experiences with you, trust grows for other members as well. Notice I said buying...not selling. I bought stuff here for awhile before I sold much of anything. Since then, I have bought and sold quite a few things and some of them are high end. All of those experiences help to build your reputation. Also, consider posting some hunt reports (and replying to others' reports) and it doesn't have to be Africa based. I'm working on several hunt reports now that are not about Africa.

I emailed Duane last night about getting one of these booklets. He responded this morning and said send my address and he will get one out to me, and send him a $24 check.

I did. Can’t wait to look through it!

Ya, I called him and have one coming to Alaska.

 

[teklanika_ray]

I am new on this site. I joined for several reasons.
1. I had decided to go on safari when I retire.
2. In support of decision one, I decided to build a rifle (which after chatting with member here has turned into, two rifles).
3. I prefer to gather as much knowledge as possible when planning a hunt.

I had settled on a CZ 550 (mostly because my first 458 win mag was a CZ, not because it is going to result in an erloom quality firearm) to build a 505 Gibbs on, but parts and actions are not abundant. I have figured out that part, but had looked into your classifieds to see what was available (I managed to purchase a trigger guard assembly, but did not make an offer on the 505 gibbs brass and dies as the seller would not deal with new members, then asked about a firearm and was given the same dismissive "newguy" rhetoric) Long story made short. I am really not sure I have ended up in the right spot. New member appear to be held in a very untrustworthy light, and long standing members appear to have license to dismiss new members with an elitist attitude that I find a bit off putting.

I recommend implementing a probationary period (or cap your membership).Where new member are not allowed to access the classified section (or any other portions your veteran members dont want to share) Until they have interacted with other member a reasonable number of times. I do not appreciate being accused of shoplifting in any store, simply because I walked into it (and that is exact how I have felt since I started interacting here). I have been a Security professional for 20 years and was in the military before that. I fully understand the need to be safe and secure, but I submit there is a professional way to vet your transactions that is less offensive.

Please, someone explain how in such a short duration of time I have gotten the wrong impression. There must be a ridiculous amount a scammers or I have just had poor exposure.

So, I would like to ammend my original post slightly. Since I hit the ignore button on three member, this site has been absolutely amazing.

I would also like to clarify one misconception by a small amount of people who responded to this post. I am currently only interested in purchasing, and had only made inquiries to purchase. I have not made any post about selling anything. Additionally, I clearly see the apprehension of a new person posting a $10,000 firearm.

So thanks for the warm welcome, thanks for explaining how the site works, thanks for freely offer advice on my current rifle project, thanks for being patient of an impatient neophyte, and mostly thanks for the access to an enormous archive of knowledge and resources!

Ray H.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Glad you're sticking with it. You will enjoy Weibe's little booklet. Keep in mind it is for 375. Lesser builds may require less modification. For example, I did not have to rebate the front locking ring to build a 404. The cartridge is shorter than 375. A local machinist who's never done gunsmithing used the booklet when opening my bolt face. No problem. The rails for my build were modified differently than per Weibe's fireburst format. 404 is a different shaped cartridge. Also, Duane does not mention the critical order for modifying the rails and follower. Very important! Load three shells in magazine, modify left rail. Then two shells and modify right rail. Then one shell and modify FOLLOWER. Do NOT touch either feeding rail when doing final modifying of feeding for one cartridge in the box.

 

[teklanika_ray]

Glad you're sticking with it. You will enjoy Weibe's little booklet. Keep in mind it is for 375. Lesser builds may require less modification. For example, I did not have to rebate the front locking ring to build a 404. The cartridge is shorter than 375. A local machinist who's never done gunsmithing used the booklet when opening my bolt face. No problem. The rails for my build were modified differently than per Weibe's fireburst format. 404 is a different shaped cartridge. Also, Duane does not mention the critical order for modifying the rails and follower. Very important! Load three shells in magazine, modify left rail. Then two shells and modify right rail. Then one shell and modify FOLLOWER. Do NOT touch either feeding rail when doing final modifying of feeding for one cartridge in the box.

Hmm, I think I will hand write that onto a back page when I get that pamphlet. Thank you.

 

[Rare Breed]

One way to get to know members here and develop your own reputation is by buying stuff on classifieds. When members have good experiences with you, trust grows for other members as well. Notice I said buying...not selling. I bought stuff here for awhile before I sold much of anything. Since then, I have bought and sold quite a few things and some of them are high end. All of those experiences help to build your reputation. Also, consider posting some hunt reports (and replying to others' reports) and it doesn't have to be Africa based. I'm working on several hunt reports now that are not about Africa.

wisdom from @Green Chile! He is a very well respected member on AH and like all of us were you at the start