Author Topic: Wickliffe 76 (Read 1972 times)

JCP · « **on:** May 27, 2005, 11:05:01 AM »

Does anyone know anything about the Wickfiffe 76 single shot rifle?

I talked to a man today who claims to have the last of the original recievers. He say's he is having 10 heat treated and will have them back in about 2 weeks. From what he said they are 4140 castings that have been machined and need polishing. any info on these action would be appreciated.

Nobade · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2005, 04:51:05 PM »

Funny you should mention those. We've had the parts for one in the shop for 15 years, and just got the receiver in to put it together. Seems the owner sent it out to be case hardened, and the fellow doing the work died. His son found the box of parts in the attic and called the owner to see if he wanted it back. He then sent them to Doug Turnbull who did the casehardening work and sent them to us. Amazingly enough we found all the parts and put the rifle together for the first time. It's a right nice design, very beefy and strong looking. The scope mount holes were drilled off at an angle so if you center them the extractor doesn't work, but that's a minor fix. Otherwise it looks like something worth having, and probably is collectable since they weren't made for very long.

JCP · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2005, 04:10:46 AM »

nobade, that a real lucky man, to get it all back after all that. It's very interesting that the scope mount could have an effect on the extractor. The drawing I have shows the extractor at the bottom of the barrel looking at it from the side. Is the one you have different?

So far , every response has been that these are absolutly wonderful actions and very accurate.

RugerNo3 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2005, 09:55:45 AM »

The actions were made in Wickcliffe, Ohio, hence the name. Production volume was in the low hundreds as each was hand fitted. IIRC, death of the owner and very little desire for a single shot rifle led to their demise.

Nobade · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2005, 10:56:15 AM »

The problem with this one is if you screw in the barrel so the extractor lines up with the cut in the barrel, the scope mounts are way off to the side. I need to cut the extractor slot in the barrel wider, and face off just a touch on the shoulder so the mounting holes are on top of the barrel when it's properly tightened up.

JCP · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2005, 03:00:15 PM »

Thanks nobade, I understand now. You are right , all you should have to do is cut the groove a little wider. I can get this action with barrel which needs extractor cut milled for $340. Sounds like a good deal to me. He said I could inspect it and if I didn't want it I could return it. It will be a couple of weeks before I get it if I deside to order it, If I get it i'll let you all know how it turns out.

The only thing I don't like about them is they don't have a tang.

wlmccann · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2005, 07:18:21 PM »

Are there any more of these avaiable and if so , who do I contact?

JCP · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2005, 08:15:02 AM »

I think there are 30 or more still available. I'll let you know some time tomorrow how to get in touch. He's on vacation right now but will be back this week.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2005, 10:59:59 AM »

Sounds like you're getting it for the price of a fitted barrel! A no brainer I'd say. Barrels go anywhere from as little as $135-over $300, and fitting is around $150-$175, so the $340 price is great!
What caliber barrel is it fitted for?

wlmccann · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2005, 11:45:55 AM »

Thanks JCP. Would sure like to get one if possible. I was a broke gunsmithing student when they were more or less readily available. I'm still broke but might be able to swing one this time.

JCP · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2005, 03:41:28 PM »

The man's name is Tom Ondrus, his phone No# is 440 275 1400. His email is, crownpress@alltel.net.

As I understand it, these actions weren't even heat treated but he is sending them out 10 at a time to be treated by qualified people. From all I have read over the years they were great actions. He told me last week that if I didn't like what I recieved I could return it. As I said before he will be home sometime this week from vacation.

The origional cal. were.22 hornet, .223, 22-250, .243, .25-06, .270, .308, 30-06, 45-70. He still has some of the cal's but not all. I know he has some 45-70's. I can't make up my mind which to get. It would make a great varmet gun.

wlmccann · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2005, 05:00:09 PM »

Thank you. Have already got an email off to him.

Datil · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2005, 05:07:21 PM »

I have one 243 win the ejecter broke on the 14 th shot. this was at time
Wickliffe went out . Made one out of butt drill bit, never looked back.
When I do my part it give a 1/4 in group. No Not for sale :-D :-D
Marv.