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| Fun in New Mexico |
 My life long friend and spotter, Steve Kelley, and I took a trip to New Mexico to a ranch we often visit to have a little fun. We shoot off a ridge that allows us to shoot with the wind, almost, across a creek bed, and up a hillside that runs almost a mile. This not-so-smart dog came up just left of the 1000 marker, and I killed him with the 4th shot. We used a Swarovski 1600 rangefinder to range back to the shooting table. The High Tech Customs rifle is built on a Remington 700 action with a 29 1/2 inch heavey Lilja SS barrel with an HTC muzzle brake, chambered for 6.5x284, in an HS Precision target stock with a Jewel trigger. The scope is a Leupold VX-111 LR Target 8.5x25 with a 30mm tube with a varmint hunter reticle mounted with Leupold 20 degree off-set base and rings. I used Black Hills gold ammo. They load 142gr Sierra HPBT in Norma brass at about 2980 feet per second. It was the driest, and the fewest number of prairie dogs there I've ever seen and too windy to shoot long range most of the trip.
Thanks Rich!
Don Manning |
| June's Buck |
 Hi There,
Just thought you might want to see June's buck she killed this season with her new rifle. I must say it does have a "little" kick to it. She was not too sure she would like it, but I assured her in the heat of the moment, she would not notice it. She did not recall it kicking at all. I still don't know it's real potential, but it was good enough for 2 good hits at 383 yds. and 510 yds.
Thanks again,
Allen K.
Troutdale, OR |
| Beautiful and Accurate |
 Rich,
I recently returned from my hunt in Zimbabwe for buffalo using the .416 Remington Magnum that you built. I hunted hard for 8 days before shooting the nice Cape buffalo (42") that is pictured. It was my first buffalo, and even at 75 yards, pulling the trigger on something that could put you in a world of hurt if you don't make a good first shot is not something I was taking lightly. Having total confidence in the accuracy of my rifle was an essential prerequisite, and I knew that the .416 would get it done. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the large hole straight through the heart of the buff, which pleased my PH so much that he insisted on photographing the evidence.
Many thanks for providing me with a rifle that is as beautiful as it is accurate; we are tightly bonded now, and I look forward to carrying it again on my next Africa safari.
Best regards,
Mark Bollinger, PhD
Montrose, CO |
| My Favorite Rifle |
 Richie,
I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how pleased I am with the lightweight (6-1/4 lbs) .340 Weatherby Shadow you built for me in 1998. In the hunts that I have used it on, it has now been fired once each at a total of 10 animals (2 Antelope, 3 Mule Deer, and 5 Elk). Although shot placement certainly has some impact, not one animal has ever taken a step after being hit with factory Weatherby 200 gr. ammunition. A quick clean kill should be the objective of all hunters and I feel that this rifle is as much a part of that as my shot placement. These one-shot kills have ranged from 35 yds. to laser-measured 330 and 427 yds. on Elk, to 275+ on Antelope, and 200+ on Mule Deer. I know you and I were both very surprised at the performance of the factory ammo, but not with the outstanding performance of the rifle. With factory ammunition, it consistently shoots 1/2 MOA groups at 100 yds. and is a sheer pleasure to hunt with.
Weighing less than 7-1/4 lbs. all decked out, I can (anyone could) carry it in the Rockies all day/all season without any discomfort and with your custom muzzle brake, it is like shooting a lightly loaded 30-06. My rifle is frequently admired by all for its appearance and my hunting buddies are always amazed at its performance. I am currently planning to have you custom build a .300 Wby. beanfield rifle on a Sako action, and I'm sure it will be just as accurate and reliable as my beloved .340. Thanks for building what has quickly become my favorite rifle (and I have many).
Sincerely,
Charlie Loan
Littleton, CO |
| Flawless Performance |
 Richey,
Thanks for the great custom built .340 Wby. rifle. The performance of the rifle was flawless in the subzero temps of Meadow Lake, Sakatchewan hunting for whitetail deer. While I only had an 80 yd. shot, the 260 lb. deer was no match for the .340 Wby. The rifle tuned with my custom ammunition with 225 Swift A-Frames (excellent bullet Mr. Hober) shoots consistently 1/2 MOA at 100 yds., you will have to look long and hard to find a better performing bullet in any caliber. The Lightweight Shadow is easy to carry and balances with ease. The fit and finish is Bar-None and is a pleasure to shoot, as with the other High Tech Rifles that I own. Once again, thanks Richey and Paula for all the support I received.
Ricky R. Allen
Ultimate Ammunition Co. LLC - Owner/Operator
Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Great Rifle |
 Rich,
I just wanted to say thank you for building great rifles. The 358 STA you built is a tack driver and a pleasure to shoot. I took it on a mountain goat/moose/bear hunt in British Columbia in September and it performed flawlessly. The outfitter and guides were asking me before I left where they could get one. I harvested a goat and a bear but did not get a moose. The rifle was light enough to carry on the goat hunt but packed plenty enough power for everything I was hunting for. I passed on 3 small bulls but could not get a shot at the large moose I saw. The goat and black bear were both one shot kills. I plan to use it for elk and deer in the next few weeks and have the confidence that this rifle will perform.
Thanks again,
Kevin Thomason
Florissant, CO |
| A Great Shooter! |
 Hi Rich,
Thanks for building me such a fine 30-06 two years ago. As you can see by the photos it has been a great shooter. Both elk and caribou are one shot kills, the sheep was 2, but the distance was nearly 400 yards.
Now I need a mag. built for moose and grizzly. Please work your magic again for me!
Doug Roffers |
| 3 Shots Killed 3 Animals |
 Hi Rich,
John and I made it to the ranch named Todos Santos in south Texas and we both shot nice whitetails. John shot his on the first day of the hunt and consequently let me use his 270(the one you built him). I then proceeded to shoot a deer and a wild pig with it. You will be happy to know that your rifle killed 3 animals with 3 shots.
We flew into Texas and sighted our guns in, and as usual, the 270 you built for John shot a 3 shot group of about .35". Since you are in the process of finishing up my 270, I used an off-the-shelf Remington 300 SAUM. Unfortunately, that poor gun must have gotten bumped during our travels because it was shooting 4" high and 3" to the right. I only had eight rounds with me and I had to use four of them to nurse the point of aim back where I wanted it (important lesson learned; bring more ammo). However, something was still out of whack because it didn't group well. I had no choice but to hunt with the rifle that day, but I must admit I was not very confident about where it was shooting. That night, John shot a nice 8 point buck. Since he had already taken his deer, I asked him if I could use the 270 you built him to pursue my deer. He said no problem.
At this point, I was feeling very confident because I know that gun is a tack driver and has one of the nicest triggers I have ever used. I went out the next day and proceeded to drill a wild pig and a nice 9 point buck. Both shots landed right behind the shoulder where I was aiming and neither animal traveled more than a few feet.
Peace of mind is worth its weight in gold when hunting and it was nice to know that I was using a gun that is as reliable and accurate as they come. I can't wait till you finish my 270!! Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Ted Evans |
| THANKS RICHEY |
 "Thanks to Rich Reiley for making this custom 340 that took this elk. Long shot, but I took it, 400 yds. plus, because I knew the gun and how it shot. I used federal ammo factory, loaded with 225 gr. Trophy Bonded bullets. Money is no object when you get a bull like this. THANKS RICHEY."
- Bill Schwindt, Ft. Collins, CO
"Hi Rich. Just to fill you in a little more on the elk I took. When I found out I drew a tag in Wyoming, I knew I had to get in touch and have the 340 made. The gun when it was finished was only 6-1/2 pounds. I thought, well, this gun is going to kick. Surprise, it did not, your brakes work great. I went with Cheyenne Table Mountain Outfitters, good group. Scott and Angie Denny gave me a real good hunt. The guide Dan Saylards is one of the best I have ever had. I spotted the bull about 7:30 in the morning. He was with about 40 cows and a couple of smaller bulls. They were running away from us, so I knew I had to act quick. At about 400 yards the bull turned just enough to get a shot off. Guess what? That was all it took, the gun did its job. 225 gr. trophy bonded bear claw in Federal ammo did the trick. The Lilja barrel, the brake, the bedding, all the work you put into the gun was great! It all came together and this elk, which scored 355, was the reward. Of course, you do have to know how to shoot just a little. Right Rich? Thanks again for a very good product.
- Bill Schwindt, Ft. Collins, CO |
| The Alaskan Pro Hunter |
 With five years of experience guiding hunters in Alaska and having hunted in Alaska himself, Rich Reiley has designed what he feels is the ultimate hunting and guiding rifle for Alaska, Africa, or any situation where a short-barreled, fast handling rifle is needed.
The Alaskan Pro Hunter is a synthetic-stocked all-weather rifle which is typically a short-barreled rifle since it is built for dangerous game and not a long range shooter. However, it can be built with a standard barrel if the customer prefers. A barrel band is added so the gun carries lower on both the pack and the shoulder which makes the rifle easier to handle in heavy brush and thick cover. It is chambered in the customer's choice of caliber, but normally is of the hard-hitting calibers of .338 and up, including the large bore wildcats.
Price of the Alaskan Pro Hunter starts at $2800, with final cost being determined by type of action used, finishes, and amenities.
Any hunter or guide will appreciate the thought, time and effort that have gone into this rifle. |
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