Complete Hand-Built Rifles by Bruce Thom (Bat Machine)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- Full Story: bit.ly/3PqlOCp
UR T-Shirts: bit.ly/2UEAkgW
UR on Patreon: / ultimatereloader
Can you imagine building a rifle from scratch (including the action) in High School shop class? That's exactly what Bruce Thom of Bat Machine did when he was just 16 years old! In this story, we'll look at some of his early rifle builds, and a recent one too!
-------------------------------------------
Ultimate Reloader LLC / gavintoobe Disclaimer:
You alone are responsible for the safety of yourself and your property.
Check local and state laws before undertaking any activity involving possessing, transporting, and shooting firearms. Check local and state laws before attempting to load ammunition or perform any modifications to a firearm. Always abide by the law. Always practice gun safety.
The content on this channel (including videos, ammunition reloading data, technical data, comments, and any other information contained within) is for demonstration purposes only.
Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described in this video or on this UA-cam channel (gavintoobe).
Any reloading data supplied on this UA-cam channel (gavintoobe) or in this video, including any comments from viewers and readers must be assumed to be in error.
Always consult at least three sources of manufacturer's ammunition reloading data before reloading your own ammunition.
Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information found on this UA-cam channel or in this video.
Gunsmithing procedures should only be performed only by a licensed gunsmith.
Ultimate Reloader, LLC can not be held liable for any harm caused to any individual or any personal property related to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this UA-cam channel (gavintoobe) or in this video.
By watching this video in whole or in part, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this UA-cam channel (gavintoobe) or in this video.
-------------------------------------------
Ultimate Reloader LLC / gavintoobe Material Connection Notice:
The following Ultimate Reloader partners are featured in this video:
- Bat Machine
Ultimate Reloader partnerships involve one or more of the following:
Product supplied for evaluation + testing + features in videos/articles, paid advertising and promotions, engineering and product development services, scientific testing and evaluation, external media production and related marketing services.
Ultimate Reloader LLC is committed to publishing subjective and data-driven information+insights related to products whether it be favorable or unfavorable or both.
For more information about Ultimate Reloader partnerships, please visit: ultimatereload...
I am totally floored by his ingenuity... Literally the day after I retired after 27 years in the Canadian Armed Forces (infantry) I was sitting in a trade school to complete a machinist course.
Theodore "Ted" Karagias (American Rifle Company) and Bruce Thom are the guys who inspire me.
A huge thank you for that incredible interview. 🤩
Bruce is a mechanical genius. I am fortunate to own 2 of his actions (Model B and 3L). Great video.
Bruce might not remember me, but I met him at the '97 Super Shoot. I met Tom Dickson and Butch Fisher at a match in Minnesota. They invited me to load under the shade of their camper awning for the Super Shoot at Kelbly's. Getting to hang out with the three of them was great fun that week. Thank you for the video.
I am sorry you had to meet Butch!
LOL, he was a character, but definitely made for some good times!
These are interviews and stories that we love to hear about... Thank you
I loved watching this!!!
Mind blowing isn’t it?????
Really cool to see! I bought my first lathe when I was 12 years old after saving for a year delivering news papers. But even before then I was building guns, starting with muzzle loaders, then a 6.5-284 bolt action, then my 300 win mag, and many others in between. Currently building a 475 A square short on a m77 action
Well, now I have some new life goals!
I guess I better start looking for a lathe.
Bruce's shop teacher story reminds me of my own. In grade 8 when we were required to take shop class, they randomly assigned us one teacher to teach us ALL the disciplines: Wood/Metal/Drafting/Electronics/Auto. I was in the Electronics teacher's class. He was a brilliant Electronics Engineer (having designed RCA's first transistor radio) but didn't know much about metal or woodworking, and even less about auto shop than most of the students.
The common misconception is that a bolt action is a simple thing, nothing is further from the truth. I've built a few from scratch, and it's not as simple it would seem. Great Video that shows what an awesome craftsman Bruce is, making that with hand tools is something else!
People say the same about lever actions when they are actually more complicated than bolt actions.
Pretty amazing story Bruce! I’ve always had a lot of respect for guys who can just build things, rifles, lathes, whatever it may be, that’s impressive. Love your actions, I own two.
my first build that i still got a old 1917 eddystone made my own stock than glass bedded it and permantly glued it to the action good thing it still shoots 3/4" moa all day long i,am 60 years old i built it when i was 16
I love stuff like this. I grew up in a machine shop, my family owned one since 1942, but no one would teach me how to run any of the equipment. Long story short, I ended up becoming a damn tradesman anyways as a welder. Not much I can't do in the way of gunsmithing anymore from wood working to metal finish/fitment, except lathe and mill work, and it bothers me every day. Maybe one day I'll take the initiative to finally start learning how to operate lathes and mills.
Doing basic stuff on old school manual machines isn't too tough to learn imo, mostly just knowing a few simple formulas for speeds and so on and how to set up, level/align, etc. I'm lost on cnc though.
It's NEVER too late to do a fresh start!!..
🇺🇸💪🙏🙏🙏
OUTSTANDING! I was so doggone impressed by his story.
Fun.Tastic vídeo Gavin!!. I'm pretty sure most of us / your followers, looking forward for (at least!) a sequel of this one. Many thanks to you both for such a great production & inspiring chat!!..
🤗🇺🇲🙏🙏🙏
What I would give to be a fly on the wall & learn from Bruce!!! 1st off, to be self sufficient & successful in machining is still a dream of mine! One step forward, 3 steps back!!! Maybe one day, I can obtain a lathe?
I am 40 yo and just starting my research on the gunsmithing world. I felt like shit to know that he was building rifles when I was pretty much starting to shoot fire arms. The man is a genius indeed. God bless you guys!
And here I thought I was slick by breathing life into grizzled old Mausers. Respect.
Bruce mentioned "Ed's Gunatorium" which was a huge gun store in Spokane, Washington. I was a kid in the 60s and went there with my dad. I think the place had about 3000 used rifles, it was quite a place.
Yea it was like walking into heaven for me when I was a kid!
Rifles from match locks to modern, barrel blanks, stock blanks, gloriously unorganized.
Super cool. I was making gun boxes out of wood in High School and everyone thought that project was nuts at the time. Wish I had done this!
Thanks for the video! We used to head down to Spokane a couple times a year to pick up reloading and fishing stuff. This was the late '80's and Canucks could still get reloading bits from one of the White Elephant stores. The Gunatorium was on Argonne I want to say - always a great place to visit.
Absolutely fascinating man what a genius. The rifles he builds are like a work of art. Amazing
Best UR fireside chat... thanks for posting this Gavin! An FYI, I am now proud owner of 2 ea. BAT Machine actions.. waiting for barrels.. thanks you two.
...this is exactly how John Moses Browning began...in his father's shop..made his first firearms from scraps with hand tool..waaay before he ever had modern...for that day...machine tools...
Thanks for sharing this interview brother, enjoyed it much.👍❤️
We were always trying to figure out a way to shoot a .22 cartridge out of one of those dime store cap gun revolvers! My friends dad found all the .22 rounds we had stolen out of his basement and, luckily, that was the end of that! Would have been a hand down if we would have got it to work! Then I had to move on to slam firing 12 gauge shells borrowed from my grandpa!
Bruce reminds me of the late Carl Kenyon, who made a .22 RF falling block from a leaf spring back in the day. Excellent content.
Nice....if these old guns could talk......i just heard wonderfull stories of those old guns. This is an awesome video, Thank You Gavin.
I've got a couple of full custom rifles, a BAT Machine action is my holy grail of rifles
Great video! It makes me want to buy a BAT Machine action that much more.
This made me happy
What a great guy! Thanks for sharing these insider viewpoints from a real leader in precision.
I've got tears in my eyes. How is it possible to go into the future without people like Bruce. No-one of the last generation seems to have the determination and ingenuity to CREATE anymore.
It's guys like him who created our civilization.
AWESOME interview! Thanks so very much for sharing UR!!!
Very interesting. I am a toolmaker/machinist that can understand the machinery he is using. We are pretty close in age it sounds like too, as I graduated high school in 81.
🤩 Wow, he is amazing and truly very talented. Thanks for sharing!
Fascinating
So interesting.
Thank you for sharing your young start.
You have been a great thinker. Appreciate this interview and info.
Gavin thank you for all you do and sharing with all of us and those who helped you.
Manual made. Love it!
wow what an inspiration, I'm sure a young lad or young lady out there is watching this that's inspired to live their dreams, wonderful stuff, you both are gifted and humble, that in it self is an inspiration
Gavin, totally enjoyed the video. Back about 20 years ago or so I tried to get Bruce to do a Falling Block action for me and he said he no longer made them. Still would like to have one but would chamber it in 300 HAMR not the original .222 I would have built.
Excellent video, it goes to show if you have a vision and a passion ................ it can work !!
My dad was a part-time gunsmith his world revolved around Colt SA revolvers, but he also managed
a few custom Mauser rifles with handmade stocks, he preferred birds-eye maple they were a thing
of beauty..................
That's pretty damn good with a drill press ,file and hack saw.
Real men of genius... Mr. Build a rifle from files and hacksaws. This Bud's for you.
Awsome video, super talented person!!!
Great Interview, Hopefully it may inspire Some Young Kids to get into the sport or trade. Thats what got me into the Machinist trade, Traded a tool box for a Savage 12 gauge Bolt action rifle that was broken, worked on it for a few minutes everyday in High school machine shop until it worked. Never built a complete rifle like Bruce, never Had the time....
Ask Bruce if he's ever considered building a single shot and repeating rimfire action.
If he did, I bet it would be something special! 👍🏼
This is an awesome video, enjoyed it greatly!
I spent many an hour perusing and occasionally purchasing from Ed’s Gunatorium. Winter on Argonne hill could be dicet, but worth the trip!
Very impressive, an American success story. I am glad your business turned out so well. Your passion and hard work pushed you forward. Thanks for the video, inspiration for all.
Well said!
The man has the natural skills for working with metal thats for sure.
wow Thanks. J.
Talented, well done!
Fantastic story!!’ I love Lester Bruno BAT Dasher. 😺
Great video. Would have loved even more details on the mechanisms of the early ones. Full diameter bolt was smart to avoid cutting long lug raceway. BAT makes great actions.
#2 was high school so #1 was elementary or middle school ....this guy is a national hero
Love hearing stories of the inland northwest. Cool.
Great episode. That is some crazy talent.
Awesome video
I’ve been having an extremely gloriously stupid idea of doing a wildcat. Necking down a 300WM to 6mm and just seeing what velocities and accuracy I can get
Buy a few extra barrels, load development will eat the barrel up before you get to shoot it much !
LOL!
Cool story and wonderful builds
Great story all that was missing was a beer and a campfire !
What a fantastic story. Thx
This was a really cool video, thanks Gavin
What a great video great story
Loos like a few others have probably asked but I'm going to anyway, anyway - Would Bruce ever consider spinning up a line of quality falling blocks to go with the repeater lines?
Nice video, BAT makes great actions!
That was great storyto hear 👏
Great episode.
Very impressive. I. Inspired
I get the impression his 'no idea what I was doing' and mine are vastly different.
Great story! I'm getting old enough that I'm thinking of trying some benchrest rifle. Maybe I should get an order placed for a typical BR action from BAT?
Seems like a sharp guy who loves his work who runs a small business. Don’t see any reason why not to buy from Bat 😁
This is so cool
Was about to buy another brand action but now I'm thinking bat, I had no idea.
Awesome !!!
Amazing history !!!!
Can you imagine the shitstorm that would result from building a gun in high school shop today?
LOL, I still scratch my head in wonderment that they let me build those at school!
Different times for sure
Nice work.
I heard somewhere that bat used an in house build hydraulic machine for broaching the raceways? is that true?
Good interview.
I would really like to see his most prized rifle. I mean the best work he's ever done personal rifle.
Cool video. Kudos to you guys
I’ve been wanting to build an exact half scale original Henry rifle in .22 short, I’ve got an atlas lathe but I need a bigger mill now.
That .22 is thicc and impressive!
Can you make a black powder needle pin rifle?
I take my hat off for you wise men :) Thanks
May I ask if a Mauser K98 from 1941 with caliber 3006 and "kongsberg"(Norwegian) barrel has such bad steel that I should not shoot with it? It provides groups of 13 mm at 100 meters with 5 shots with factory ammo Norma. An the American said that today's steel is much better and should I stop shooting with it? It's sported by a gunsmith who says I have a super rifle! What do you guys think?
America! Man I love it!
Bruce have you ever successfully chambered a accurate K-Hornet? If so how accurate?
Keep up the interviews.
I have not done any K hornets.
Only the 17 ackley hornet of which I have built one for each of my daughters.
20 grain v max, 3900 +/- depending on rifle, average groups will be in the high .3 at 100.
Awesome!
I want a 30-06 made
Did you guys swap shirts?
Hahaha! I forgot my shirt on the trip, and Bruce wore his un-prompted :)
Wow! I wish I knew he was out there! I was just in Spokane and Seattle, delivering canoes and kayaks. If he’s into canoeing and picks up an Old Town Canoe or Kayak, I delivered it.
Great to see another fella doing well in the trade for sure! God bless, stay safe and take care! Single Shot! On UA-cam and Daywolf on Rumble.🙏🎚🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾
I have a Winchester.22lr. Model 69-A. I got it from my Uncle. I want to put a scope on it, however I do not want to drill any holes. How can I achieve that?
Hell ya!
Love it,can't afford it
What material of receiver and bolt ??
If a guy wanted to get in to building his own rifles what school(s) or training would you recommend?
Any chance you could find out where he got the quilted maple wood for the falling block? I have a few pieces and a stock from a tree that looks just like that, and my family is from CDA. Just curious if he got that from my grandfather. (Slim chance but possible)
A toolmaker friend of mine had gotten it from his dad over in the Tacoma Washington area.
@@brucethom4957 that’s where the wood from my grandfather came from. It looks almost exactly the same. Very cool!
Could be Royal Nonesuch in like 30 years time lol
wow
How did he cut the raceways?
Those are full diameter bolts, they don’t need a full length race way, was able to reach I. With a long a 1/4 end mill, and then custom bushings and key way broach to clean ip the corners.
Good thing Bruce’s mom wouldn’t buy him a .22 rifle.
Imaging this happening today if you did it in a modern high school your would be in some deep trouble
Интересный мужик.
если бы я , в свое время попытался изготовить у себя дома что - нибудь подобное, меня бы привлекли к уголовной ответственности.