AS I have stated many times, my Rem. 700 custom shop 06 and 25-06, both beautiful Walnut, both will shoot l-2" groups all day. And, I paid less than 2K for each, with Nikon Scops, Leupold base/rings,. Triggers were adjusted to my specks. If I had the l65 Million AIG got I would not pay 14K for a gun to put in my safe. I got a Custom MAuser and thats where it sits, but cost less than 14K. A pratical gun that shoots as well as you can is all any of us need. The Rem 700, Marlin XL7, Moseburg,70's and others will do ok for 99% of us hunters. A lot of pratice and the correct Ammo for the game you will hunt is all any one needs . AS for slick actions, try Marlins XL7's and see how slick a bolt can be. A tad of graphite on many bolt guns(even very fine steel wool) will improve the action and bolt slide as gunk will build up on the action and especially the bolt and chamber. Most guys fail to keep their firearms clean and well maintained. Guns like cars, no service and no good results. So, I will just shoot my 700's and XL7 and hope I can afford one more Rocky Mtn Hunt while I'm able to go. Many of you recall my story about the older man and his 06 with taped grip, thats what we all seem to forget, it's not the beauty or parts making the gun, it's how well we can hunt and shoot when crunch times comes. Shoot-um-straight and often

Custom Rifle: $14,000
European Scope: $1,500
Tanned, Latigo Leather Sling: $125
Custom made ammunition: $100/box

Realizing you missed the side of the barn at 200 paces
because your plastic-stocked "gee whiz" head-turner missed the structure all together...PRICELESS

This is a dangerous game gun in a dangerous game caliber. Good luck getting MOA with one of those.

All you need is MOCCB accuracy -

Minute of Charging Cape Buffalo.

This gun is surely a work of art, but most of us here cannot afford works of art. What we want is a quality firearm that will put food on the table that doesn't cost a half years wages but still shoots just as accuratly as a work of art.

If you look back at my comment on The Legend Part 1 you will see that these statements from Part 2 are the "little intricate details" that I referred to as part of the work my local gunmaker would incooperate into his package for a fraction of what D'arcy charges. You also can be certain that my smith will assure me of that MOA we all cherish so much or he would keep working on it until it produced what is anticipated and/or demanded even from a big gun. Seems to me that either D'arcy said or I read that he prefers the latter day Classic controlled feed Winchester M-70 actions over the originals due to superior steel. Probably easier to find and maybe cheaper as well. I first checked out the Legend several years ago when they were first produced in a limited number of cartridge choices and was very impressed until I saw the price.

Every time I try to read one of your posts regaling the overpriced guns that are out of my financial reach, my eyes glaze over and all I see is wonk wonk wonk. You realize you're (becoming) a gun snob and are not relating to the majority of us that can't afford this shit? I have a used Browning rifle that will put bullets into the same bullet hole at 100 yds., and all it cost me was $550. Posts like these just don't relate to me and only piss me off that much more, knowing that I will never be able to afford something like this. Okay, we get that you're among the privileged few that could have gotten his hands on rifles like these, one way or another; I don't need to be constantly reminded that I will never be able to get one of these rifles (not that I would, anyway). Ugh!

Ok this thing is a work of art like Salvador Dahli's percistence of time. Yeah right (I know a lot of you are scratching your head wondering how my redneck a$$ got that one) I wish they would have reprinted last weeks comment they are just as accurate today. You know Dave your getting up there with Craig Boddington on your wonderful coverage of irrelevent items that no one here can/would afford.
Is there not a new gun out there that we can all afford that some one could read about??

How bought a history piece on John Browning, Sam Colt, or Jim Beam or Jack Daniels? Just trying to be helpful I hope the F&S gods don't smite me down for this one! LOL

Maybe so. But they still shoot MOA, are highly reliable, and don't cost $14K. And if a synthstocked Wally World special is a "boat paddle," it's at least much less expensive than a $14K synthstocked boat boat paddle.

For $14K I am confident that I could find a rifle that's the equal, with outstanding finish, a fine wood stock, and some tasteful engraving. And I think that's the main point people have been making in this discussion.

For a lot less I could get a Mannlicher Schoenauer in outstanding condition. Who'd want something like the Legend when they can own something that is less expensive, better machined, better looking, and a true legend by virtue of its record of use, rather than something that is literally a "legend" only in name?

I'm sure Mr. Nichols rifles do their jobs very well. But for $14K? And I suppose it just rubs me the wrong way a little to have the obvious hype in name selection. It's kinda presumptuous to name something a "legend" when it's a new product in comparison with the rest of the market.

When I think of legendary rifles, I think of the Winchester 73, the Mannlicher-Schoenauers of the 1950s, the Lee Enfield, the Sharps buffalo rifles, the M1 Garand, the Winchester Model 70, almost anything made by Holland and Holland, and the Mauser 98. Even the Krag U.S. and the Weatherby Mark V deluxe are, by comparison with the Nichols product, "legends."

Nichols "legend" is just a very very expensive, well built, ugly rifle. Why pay $14K for that when you can put a Swarovski or Leupold Scope on a Mannlicher Schoenauer 1956 in .458 Win Mag for less than $5K?

To MLH: I doubt very much whether D'Arcy will switch to the new Model 70 trigger. It's an unproved mechanism, and the original is the best trigger ever put on a sporting rifle.

To Beekeeper: I'm glad you're less bitter. Keep working on it. You might be interested to know that about 15 years ago, I held in my soft sweaty hands one Rolex that was worth $980,000 and another that was worth a million even. Did I get to keep them? No I did not.

To Jim in Mo. The action goes beyond slick. The bolt seems to fly back and forth by itself. I've never used anything quite like it.

On the accuracy issue: Getting a rifle like this to shoot closer than it does would be pointless; the rifle is intended for dangerous game which means lion (450 pounds) at the smallest to elephant (12,000 pounds) AT RANGES OF 100 YARDS OR LESS. USUALLY A HELL OF A LOT LESS. Why do you want a minute of angle rifle for this kind of work unless your brain is soft?

About looks: It was the owner's intention to have a walnut stock made, but the rifle went into service immediately and has stayed there. Someday it will get done.

About Jim Carmichel's gun collection: I don't know if I'm at liberty to comment.

WA Mtnhunter:

I don't own a $2000 rifle either. Until recently I was lucky to own a $2000 CAR. All I wanted to say was that for $14,000 you can get a mighty fine rifle with a custom barrel, good stock and sights, all the bells, and have $12,000 left over. I'm sure the Echols rifle is smoother and nicer than the Kimber, but is it BETTER?

David Petzal:

I've never shot at any animal that was going to charge me if I missed it, so you have me there. But our troops use a $1000 semi-auto rifle on terrorists who shoot back. If reliable performance under stress is what we are after, maybe we ought to shoot dangerous game with ARs chambered for .458 SOCOM.

Oh, and go ahead and comment on all the blue steel .308s on Carmichael's for sale pile. Nice rifles, but he's obviously saving the real good stuff for himself.

Beekeeper,
I used to think that the Rolex watch was the thing to have on your wrist to show "you've made it". Then I found out their time keeping ability wasn't any better than a Timex.

Not that I wouldn't love a rifle like this (in .270) mind you, but this is a hand-finished rifle, not hand made. McMillan makes the stock, Krieger makes the barrel, and Winchester makes the actions. Yes he puts it together and trues everything up nicely, but it's hard to see where the $14 thou went. My $400 Remington stainless .30-06 would outshoot this one, too. Sorry.

My how we get worked up on this thing. Last week Phil talked about a working mans gun and this week Dave comes out talking about something on the top shelf most of us can't reach. I read and have read this magazine most of my life for exactly that reason. I get to see both sides and get an education about guns I may never see. I read about 10000 to20000 dollar elk hunts on here for the same reason. I may never get to go on one but all hunting, fishing and shooting is what I love not just what I can afford. But there is also advice and articles on what I can. Dave has been providing me with an education for years. And while I may never have a need for it there may come a time when I am around people who are discussing and I will know atleast a little about it. Thanks Dave!

Nope, still not interested. Like others have said, there's not a lot done here that isn't available on other rifles for a small percentage of this.

I've seen car mods like this. Totally unnecessary, but mostly done for the "cool" factor.

This seems a rifle for the "But it's a $14,000 rifle!" crowd. I think a serious shooter has much more fun out-shooting their friends with plainer, less expensive rifles. I sure do.

I appreciate guns ... all guns. And I like to learn about all of them, whether I can afford them or not. Having an engineering background I appreciate hearing about the details and thoughts that go into them. I might just learn a couple of things that could go into a gun I own or want to customize. From what I am seeing, when you start adding up all the things he does to the gun the cost adds up pretty quickly. And if D'Arcy Echols can build a reputation where he can charge the prices he does then more power to him. Like Petzel said, it is like comparing a street Chevy to its race bred namesake. The car owner still admires the race car, even though it is not for him.

i think a 14K rifle that is a repeater, in a calibre that will stop a charging buff, and goes boom everytime the trigger is pulled is worth every penny. african dangerous game hunters dont buy rifles on what they do right now, but what they will do when thee wrong thing happens. i cant afford one, but i cant afford to got to africa either.

It might be that accurate but until this article, I had not heard of this gun at all. I think there is a reason why too. A $14,000 reason why. Not many hunters, especially now, are going to spend that kind of money on a rifle when they can get one for much much less than half that amount. Even half the amount would buy a nice rifle and scope that could have the same accuracy. I think this might be one of those guns that people like to brag about and how expensive it is and its' capabilities...

WAMTN Hunter:
I have no need for a l4K firearm, my 700's do just fine aand this new MArlin XL7 on the bench is doing great. I only bought the Marlin as a 4 wheeler gun and tuck haul about. Some places i ride the 4 wheelr are death on pretty Walnut.
I also hope I can find enough $$$$ to go back to the Rockies this fall, but things not looking as if I will be able to. I can't drive that distance, I must fly and my wife goes along. We stay in a Motel and et out, so it's a costly trip. But, the 14k would allow me to make 2 trips, maybe another gun, that I dont; need but would like to own.But been around long enough to know my want's will not kill me.I'm just thankful to hunt and use what I got, which is enough. High Dollar equiptment is no better than cheaper( I got a Custom Mauser and it sits) if you use it proper and pratice enough. As long as I can put 3 rounds in a 2-3" circle at 200 yds i'm pleased. Shoot-um-straight and often

I don't see why this gun is any more of an heirloom than the shotguns and rifles I inherited from my dad and grandad. They have stories and history and though they didn't cost $14,000 they are pricless to me.

The "Legend" is not the kind of rifle that would pass for an heirloom in my extended family. There's no question that it is reliable and the fit and finish are good, but it's not attractive in any way.

I've got a heavily used Mannlicher -- the one in my avatar. It's utilitarian as well. My grandfather modified the bolt handle. I added a real recoil pad. It has been in our family three generations. It has taken many deer, including my first deer, that I shot when I was hunting with my dad more than 25 years ago. Its real market value is maybe in the area of a thousand dollars. But in my view, it's a BETTER engineered rifle than the Legend, and it's a better looking rifle than any synthetic stocked firearm ever will be. Even if it did not have a cherished family history, I wouldn't trade it for a "Legend" on an even swap.

The initial defense of the expense associated with the "Legend" in this blog was that it is very accurate. We have all noted that very accurate OTC rifles don't cost nearly as much. In response, the defenders of the $14K price tag said in effect "accuracy doesn't matter as long as you can hit a charging buffalo." That's rather an admission that the extra $13K you spent accurizing that rifle doesn't matter.

So what's the defense of the $14K price? It doesn't look like a good rifle; it couldn't with a synthetic stock. The bluing is nothing special. It has no visual embellishments. It's "virtue" seems to amount to an unsubstantiated claim that it "must be better because it cost alot more than an OTC rifle that has the same functionality."

I can get a new accustocked, accutrigger, Savage rifle that is every bit as reliable and accurate as the $14K job and in the same round. Why in heaven's name would I pay $14K for a rifle when I can pay a thousand or less for identical quality?

Heirloom firearms come in two flavors. The ones we love because of the experiences that we recall, or the ancestral stories associated with it, and the ones that are ultra high quality good looking firearms. If I had $14K to spend on an heirloom, I'd buy pristine Mannlicher with a nice scope and save lots of money, or I'd buy an A.H.Fox shotgun. The "Legend" wouldn't make my long list, much less my short list, even if it were offered in my favorite round, the .30-06. It's a utilitarian rifle, and anything it can do can be done by an OTC rifle for far less money.

Top flight riflesmiths, like Echols, are like other artists. It takes years to get established and to get a name for yourself and a clientele. After you do all that and work your butt off and put up with fickle customers, you can charge accordingly. I don't begrudge Mr. Echols in the least.

Dave,

I'm almost done testing tents and have a little free time coming up. How about sending that thing over with a case of ammo and I will give it a good going over for you free of charge. Oh the going over will be free. Like the tents I get to keep the rifle right?

NOS Dave but have you checked the Damascus knives made by Percival Roberts? He's making me a patch knife for my Flinter and a hunting knife both with Ivory handles. He's at www.capt.plroberts@yahoo.com.

If you look at many custom rifles once you break into calibers over .308 and especially over .338 MOA guarantees are hard to come by much less to achieve. I know 400 of you have a 338 win mag that shoots MOA but they are a lot more that don't and its a simple fact is its harder to so in bigger calibers.That is unless you have a 25 pound solid block of metal benchrest machine that looks much like a prooving barrel. What I am talking about is a gun you can actualy carry hunting. Beside if you have a .400+ caliber gun shooting a 1.3 inch group is gonna look quite nice considering the size of the holes you leave in the paper. Now would I try to save up over the year for a 14K anything firearm, hell no. But when my powerball numbers come thru for me watch out.

I own some custom arms, but my definition of "custom" seems not to apply on this blog. By custom, what I mean is built for me, and me alone, length of pull is a little longer than factory, drop a little more, bedding 1.5-2" forward of recoil lug, caliber & twist specified by me, action trued, tested on Rockwell gauge, bolt lugs lapped to action and all metal finished glass smooth and blued or Parkerized as the case may be. The last one I purchased is a .338/06 that cost just under one thousand bucks. Pillar and glass bedded, tiger maple stock, Shilen
barrel, Shilen trigger, and grouped .785 at 100yds the very first 5 shots I fired after sighting in. That was with Nozler factory loads.
Granted, mine is a 700 Rem., not a mod70 south paw, which I wouldn't have any use for anyway, also not a magnum, which I wouldn't have any use for either, but I wouldn't trade rifle for rifle, even Steven.
What I'm trying to say here is, a custom rifle is like a custom car, one of a kind, like I want it to be.
But if he can sell his work for such a ridiculous price, he probably could become a multi-millionaire by selling Florida water front building sites, and not have to work such long hours

Dave, have you looked at the April 13, 2009 issue of Gun Digest yet? You will find two full pages (74-75)of Jim Carmichel's guns for sale. Most of them are new unfired guns. Do all you writers get so many free guns that when you retire you have to sell off the extra ones. Notice that most of them have a personal serial number that was reserved for Mr Carmichel. With this many spare guns laying around I suppose you can afford lots of nice guns. You can look at the guns at www.connecticutshotgun.com

Another overpriced and completely irrelevant piece of equipment. My Encore will outshoot it with any of the five barrels I own and even if I had that kind of money to waste it would be on a trip of a lifetime and not a gun safe stuffer.

To paraphrase a line, it seems to me the "Legend" is a solution looking for a problem that doesn't exist. If people (read: fools) want to pay $14,000 for a rifle that your local gunsmith, or Kimber or Winchester or Remington, will gladly build for you at about 1/10th of Echols' ("Legend"ary) $14k price, so be it, but I will not be one of them.

Here's an idea: Maybe Mr. Echols should go work for AIG. The top people there want an awful lot for the awful little they produce, too.

TWD

If you loan it to me I'll say some nice things about it too...

I double dog dare you to do something about a Mossberg rifle. Lever or bolt take your choice, just for fun. It doesn't always have to be high end stuff you can throw a curve ball every once in a while. I won't tell.

WA Mtnhunter, there is a vast difference between "could" afford and "would." I don't want to compare balance sheets with you or anyone else; I do O.K. for me and mine. I think the issue people are discussing here is the value for the money. See my previous comment on part one regarding centerfolds. I like reading about rifles like this one as well, and the purchase price wouldn't make a good down payment on some of the ones featured in the Double Gun and Single Shot Journal. That being said, I also enjoy articles about Mossbergs and other makes that frankly offer a lot more bang for the buck.

Maybe we're all missing the point here. Maybe this is God's way of telling us that unless we love house cats and put up with their hair and fragrance in our homes that we'll never be able to afford firearms we really don't need.

platte river rat,
I checked out those guns and I checked out those prices. Does Carmichael think we're fools? Not one of those Rem 700 were worth a dime more than today's prices, if that.

You are right on the money, WA Mtnhunter, it's all relative. Nobody really needs a $14,000 rifle, but I'd sure like to have one. I like the looks of Ed Brown's "custom" rifles for the money, but horses for courses as our British friends say. We are having a heated agreement.

I'm not entirely against the gun, I just don't see it as a value. If I were an AIG exec and getting my million out of the Dems and were inclined to shoot a charging buff from twenty paces things would certainly be different. I wouldn't be looking for value, I would be looking to impress and keep myself alive and this gun fits the bill. But I'm not and Rem 700's (not the matte) and Vanguards pretty much are where I'm at. Of course I didn't actually use either one this year but I had fun with a No. 1A... I guess it's nice to know they're around but if I'm looking at something I can't buy anyways I'm sticking with "show me pretty".

Accurizing doesnt cost that much as this rifle,but a fool is found everyday. I accurized my AR15 for 300 $ and it shoots 3/4 inch at 100 yards. They say that rifle is an 1 1/2 grouper? I would be embarassed.

That old Ford Taurus will get you to Wal-Mart just as well as that Bentley or Rolls Royce, just not in style! Your $2.99 stocking cap from the truck stop will keep your ears warm, just not in the "style" that my Stormy Kromer will! Some things never end! LOL

Checked out Carmichael's Collection up for sale. Unless I missed something Ol'Mike's only selling production guns. I thought he might be selling some of those rifles he built himself. Bummer!!!!

Still can't believe the number of you characters built on the cheap. Where do you go with Marlin bolt action or a Vanguard? A custom gunsmith could could put his heart and soul into trying to rework these gas pipes and you'd still come out with POS.

I always see my first comment got a minus nine comments!!! At least I found you guys read what I write. :-)

Mr. Diehl . . .

You and I do not agree about everything, but concerning your comment above re the "Legend" (and its legendary price), I agree with you 100%. I'll take a Kimber if I want something fancy. I'll take a Savage if I want something I can count on anywhere, anytime, that doesn't cost much. And I'll defer to my local gunsmith and provide him with an action and $1500 and be happy when he gives me a custom-fitted rifle that will do anything the Legend will do, and just as reliably and accurately.
But $14K? That just sounds crazy to me.

TWD

GUNSLINGER

Right you are! Our basic utility rifles will certainly do the job for 99.9 percent of us. I just can't understand the negative comments on this 14K rifle. Of course we can't afford it. Most of us can't afford many of the things we admire or at least like to look at. If the rich boys want to spend money on stuff like that, have at it.

It just seems to me that many of these negative comments are born of pure green envy and it ain't pretty!

I just hope that I can afford to go back to Colorado again this year. It looks like it may be a budget trip this year. Planning one less night on the road each way, setting a stricter grub budget, staying at a cheaper place, etc. I don't need any new guns or gear. Just time and oportunity to use what I have. I have plenty of ammo for my elk rifle and backup rifle, so the ammo crunch doesn't matter either.

WMH

Dr R,

If you can't understand and see it now, you never will.

...Certainly enjoy the treasures you have and be proud.

-Don't waste your time serving these guys fine steak when all they want is a greasy hamburg with ketchup and jalapeños, and then wash it down with Mad Dog 20/20.

-I’m still trying to find MOA’s in these here woods. …Tough to find for an unprotected species.

-With a dangerous game rifle you hold on the brown and put a bullet into the mother.