Bill Calfee
Gun Fool
The life of Black Death
CYA friends:
After Big Dog's amazing performance at the 2019 ARA Indoor Nationals, where he upped the ARA Indoor record to 2416.67, some folks are probably wondering:
How can a 12 year old RFBR gun, even a Calfee, shoot like it did at the ARA Indoor?
CYA is dedicated to the advancement of rimfire accuracy.
Here's the life story of Black Death, in detail:.
Barrel:
Black Death still retains the original Shilen ratchet I fit back in 2008.
It has the same crown and chamber.
I did cast a lap about five years ago and de-glazed the bore.
But that's all that's been done to the original Shilen ratchet.
Action:
The E Turbo action on Black Death was of course 12 ignition, as were all E Turbos.
About three years ago I replaced the 12 ignition breech bolt body with a DiOrio V1 body, which of course is 6 ignition.
The original E Turbo locking lug collar was retained, cause the locking lugs were perfectly fit with 100% lug contact.
Trigger:
The original Jewel trigger was replaced about four years ago with a modified FF.
We replaced the tension style re-set spring with one which had additional coils......
We added either 7 or 8 coils, if memory serves me....
Plus, the end hooks of the spring now lay on the outside edge of the spring, instead of on the center line of the spring.
We did this to reduce the upward pressure by the transfer bar against the bottom of the cocking piece.
The end hooks were redesigned to keep them from slipping up over the top of their retaining pins, especially the stationary pin which is attached to the trigger housing proper.
Other than the above listed changes, Black Death is original, otherwise, from when I build it back in 2008.
Your friend, Bill Calfee
Black Death is like fine wine, it ages well over time...........(which, after what Big Dog did at the ARA Indoor Nationals is an understatement)
CYA friends:
After Big Dog's amazing performance at the 2019 ARA Indoor Nationals, where he upped the ARA Indoor record to 2416.67, some folks are probably wondering:
How can a 12 year old RFBR gun, even a Calfee, shoot like it did at the ARA Indoor?
CYA is dedicated to the advancement of rimfire accuracy.
Here's the life story of Black Death, in detail:.
Barrel:
Black Death still retains the original Shilen ratchet I fit back in 2008.
It has the same crown and chamber.
I did cast a lap about five years ago and de-glazed the bore.
But that's all that's been done to the original Shilen ratchet.
Action:
The E Turbo action on Black Death was of course 12 ignition, as were all E Turbos.
About three years ago I replaced the 12 ignition breech bolt body with a DiOrio V1 body, which of course is 6 ignition.
The original E Turbo locking lug collar was retained, cause the locking lugs were perfectly fit with 100% lug contact.
Trigger:
The original Jewel trigger was replaced about four years ago with a modified FF.
We replaced the tension style re-set spring with one which had additional coils......
We added either 7 or 8 coils, if memory serves me....
Plus, the end hooks of the spring now lay on the outside edge of the spring, instead of on the center line of the spring.
We did this to reduce the upward pressure by the transfer bar against the bottom of the cocking piece.
The end hooks were redesigned to keep them from slipping up over the top of their retaining pins, especially the stationary pin which is attached to the trigger housing proper.
Other than the above listed changes, Black Death is original, otherwise, from when I build it back in 2008.
Your friend, Bill Calfee
Black Death is like fine wine, it ages well over time...........(which, after what Big Dog did at the ARA Indoor Nationals is an understatement)