Robert Gradous of Gradous Rifles has built a keeper! It deserves some comment. The weapon is a 6.5x47 Lapua, Bolt Action Repeater with a McMillan A5 stock, Jewel Trigger, Surgeon Action, Broughton 5C MTU Barrel cut to 24 inches with a Nightforce 5.5 22x50 NXS scope. It is the finest Rifle I have ever owned. The Customer Service, up to this point, has been “Outstanding”. As an example, he personally delivered my rifle driving from Hephzibah, Ga. to Oklahoma to make delivery. I am sure he doesn’t do this often but some issues came up that delayed the final completion and I needed the weapon the very next day.
I have been wanting a long rifle for over 5 years and had done a great deal of reading on the subject, investigating which Gunsmiths to stay away from and which ones I should consider. Different Companies in the business provided information (Gun shops, Barrel companies, companies that make actions, Rifle Scope companies etc). I contacted three Gunsmiths and finally settled on Gradous Rifles.
Robert started building rifles years ago. He worked with Surgeon and built rifle for them and when you talk to the Surgeon people (Preston or Matt) they will tell you that he taught them more about rifle building then they taught him. Robert Gradous is old school! He will tell you “a man only has his word”. When you first speak with Robert you get the impression that he is a humble man who has integrity and knows the gunsmith business. His attention to detail goes throughout his operation. Just call him and ask to visit and you will understand what I mean.
His shop is immaculate. I’ve worked in Machine shops and can only comment that his operation is more like a Hospitals Operating Room than a Gunsmith Shop. The next closest thing I’ve seen to his shop is a clean Technical School Shop. Don’t believe me look at the photos on his website (see shortcut below).
http://www.gradousrifles.com/shop.php
His main facility houses routers, CNC machines, presses Mills, measures tools. There are two smaller rooms off the main building/assembly room, which contain a glass bead blaster in one and a Sand Blaster in the other. In a separate building is a first class paint and drying facility and one smaller building collects all the dust from the blasters and other equipment.
Recently, I traveled to Hephzibah, GA., to work with Robert and see his shop. Gradous Rifle offers a Gunsmith class for up to 5 people per week. The class is designed so that each person builds their own rifle. After the first, day devoted to work, we spent day two making up various reloads and testing them at 100 yards. Finally, we went to 600 yard range for more fun!
Below are the photos and conditions for both 100 and 600 yards.
Photo 1
Cold Bore shot @ 100 yards. Not bad for an old Jarhead. 9/28/09 @ 1530, 86.4 F, Alt. 430 ft., 57% Humidity, 29.44 Barometric Pressure.
Photo 2
3 shot group by Robert Gradous. 9/29/09 @ 1400, Wind 3-5 mph, 86.4 F, Alt. - 430 ft., Humidity - 38.2%, Bar. Press. – 29.63. .000 moa. (measured with a caliper)
Photo 3
600 Yard 3 shots covered by a Silver Dollar.
(Shot by R. Gradous)
Photo 4
4X4 Steel Target
Photo 5
Gradous Rifle 6.5 x 47 Lapua (pic1)
Gradous Rifle 6.5 x 47 Lapua (pic2)
Gradous Rifle 6.5 x 47 Lapua (pic3)
I have been wanting a long rifle for over 5 years and had done a great deal of reading on the subject, investigating which Gunsmiths to stay away from and which ones I should consider. Different Companies in the business provided information (Gun shops, Barrel companies, companies that make actions, Rifle Scope companies etc). I contacted three Gunsmiths and finally settled on Gradous Rifles.
Robert started building rifles years ago. He worked with Surgeon and built rifle for them and when you talk to the Surgeon people (Preston or Matt) they will tell you that he taught them more about rifle building then they taught him. Robert Gradous is old school! He will tell you “a man only has his word”. When you first speak with Robert you get the impression that he is a humble man who has integrity and knows the gunsmith business. His attention to detail goes throughout his operation. Just call him and ask to visit and you will understand what I mean.
His shop is immaculate. I’ve worked in Machine shops and can only comment that his operation is more like a Hospitals Operating Room than a Gunsmith Shop. The next closest thing I’ve seen to his shop is a clean Technical School Shop. Don’t believe me look at the photos on his website (see shortcut below).
http://www.gradousrifles.com/shop.php
His main facility houses routers, CNC machines, presses Mills, measures tools. There are two smaller rooms off the main building/assembly room, which contain a glass bead blaster in one and a Sand Blaster in the other. In a separate building is a first class paint and drying facility and one smaller building collects all the dust from the blasters and other equipment.
Recently, I traveled to Hephzibah, GA., to work with Robert and see his shop. Gradous Rifle offers a Gunsmith class for up to 5 people per week. The class is designed so that each person builds their own rifle. After the first, day devoted to work, we spent day two making up various reloads and testing them at 100 yards. Finally, we went to 600 yard range for more fun!
Below are the photos and conditions for both 100 and 600 yards.
Photo 1
Cold Bore shot @ 100 yards. Not bad for an old Jarhead. 9/28/09 @ 1530, 86.4 F, Alt. 430 ft., 57% Humidity, 29.44 Barometric Pressure.
Photo 2
3 shot group by Robert Gradous. 9/29/09 @ 1400, Wind 3-5 mph, 86.4 F, Alt. - 430 ft., Humidity - 38.2%, Bar. Press. – 29.63. .000 moa. (measured with a caliper)
Photo 3
600 Yard 3 shots covered by a Silver Dollar.
(Shot by R. Gradous)
Photo 4
4X4 Steel Target
Photo 5
Gradous Rifle 6.5 x 47 Lapua (pic1)
Gradous Rifle 6.5 x 47 Lapua (pic2)
Gradous Rifle 6.5 x 47 Lapua (pic3)
