Visit to Hatchers Riflestocks

[Branxhunter]

I had a meeting on the NE side of Melbourne yesterday, and so on the way home took the opportunity to drop in and say g'day to Cameron Hatcher and check out his stock duplicating set up. I knew there would be some interest in some photos and he was more than happy for me to take some and post here on AV. So here you go:

If you ever get the chance to drop in it is fascinating to have a look through the different patterns and blanks he has crammed into a relatively small space.

[Branxhunter]

And some blanks:

Marcus

[Camel]

And which one followed you home ?? wouldn't mind dropping down there one of these days. Looks interesting, but then again, anything to do with guns is interesting,

[Branxhunter]

And a couple more:

Marcus

[mick_762]

Some very nice wood there, will have to drop past myself next time i am down that way.

[Branxhunter]

And which one followed you home???

You already know the answer!

If you do have the time Cameron is great to talk to, very enthusiastic and has some great stories, including:

- The Sako L461 and L579 actions he bought as a box lot with a few other useful actions all for $50 each from the "interesting" local gunship owner (sounds like he might be a close relative of Camel);

- the factory L461 varmint stock from his dad's roo shooting rifle which has the high straight comb and no cheekpiece. Apparently the rifle had been rebarreled 12 times before he sold it (wearing a Slee TH stock) - that is a lot of rounds shot!

- the Westly Richards stock he recently picked up which has a fore- end like a toothpick, significant drop at heel and steel butt plate with trap which came off a rifle chambered in 9x57 - that would have been "invigorating" to shoot


- a new stock pattern he is about to work up which may well be like the Tikka T3 one he has done - turn an ugly duckling into a graceful swan. I'll leave it to Cameron to reveal what it might be in his own time.

I could have hung around for another hour or two but as I still had a 4hr drive to get home I had to hit the road.

Marcus

[Rabbitz]

For future reference and to complete the shameless plug , how about adding some contact details to the thread...

[B4408]

Do the prices include shaping or just the piece of wood?

Bruce

[curan]

Cameron got in touch with me a few months ago and apologised for the delay in the M55 stock I had requested. He then did me a very good deal on a silho stock, which is now in a queue with Mr Woodwhisperer.

[Branxhunter]

Do the prices include shaping or just the piece of wood?

Bruce

My understanding is that it includes machining, but best to confirm with the man himself.

Marcus

[Glenn]

Thanks for posting that branxhunter.

There are some nice blanks there!

I think I will give Cameron a call.

Glenn

[HATCH]

Thanks for the visit Marcus, was good to finally put a face to a name mate! I don't get much spare time for forums these days due to the combination of my workload, sport and having a young family etc, and obviously am a sponsor over at AHN so most of my advertising / posting gets done there. Plus I do feel a little uneasy blatantly advertising here where I haven't really paid for it by either being a keen contributor/ participant and/or handing sponsorship money over for the right to do so. Thanks for the comments anyway, a couple of those blanks are sold now but they will all turn into pleasant stocks! (The prices marked include machining) Still as satisfying as ever watching the colour and figure unfold, & like our tasweigan mate i suffer from the disease for which there is no cure - only treatment! Now to pick one for a little L461 .20/222 project someone has planted a seed to do.....

Cheers,
Cameron Hatcher

[curan]

Thanks for the visit Marcus, was good to finally put a face to a name mate! I don't get much spare time for forums these days due to the combination of my workload, sport and having a young family etc, and obviously am a sponsor over at AHN so most of my advertising / posting gets done there. Plus I do feel a little uneasy blatantly advertising here where I haven't really paid for it by either being a keen contributor/ participant and/or handing sponsorship money over for the right to do so. Thanks for the comments anyway, a couple of those blanks are sold now but they will all turn into pleasant stocks! (The prices marked include machining) Still as satisfying as ever watching the colour and figure unfold, & like our tasweigan mate i suffer from the disease for which there is no cure - only treatment! Now to pick one for a little L461 .20/222 project someone has planted a seed to do.....

Cheers,
Cameron Hatcher

Thanks for the silho stock for the M55 Cameron. It is definitely the shape I was after. Nice bit of wood, too.

This will be a long slow project, but once finished, I'll post the pics.

cheers, curan.