I have about 25 years full time in the gunsmithing field. I attended Lassen College in Susanville CA back when Bob Dunlap was the head of the program. Over the years I have worked in a few shops around the West. First in Idaho in a shop where general repair and barrel jobs were the mainstay, then in Southern California for a Colt and Winchester specialty shop where we did restoration work. Then onto another So. Cal. shop where handguns were the bread and butter.
For the last 10 years I have specialized in custom hunting rifles, no longer doing repair because it took too much time away from custom work. I am now transitioning into a new phase of my career, I will limit work to Barrel and sight work as I am semi-retiring. For those of you who still have jobs with me I will get them finished up ahead of anything new. This change will allow me to do what I have always wanted to do, make the guns that interest me, then I will put them up for sale. By not taking orders for custom work I remove the impatient customer from my life.
I have written one book titled “Wildcat Cartridges, Reloaders Handbook of Wildcat Cartridge Design”. My second book is a print edition of the Hawk Cartridges reloading manual. and will be out in early 2011. My third book is well along in the writing process, it is about P.O. Ackley an will contain pressure tested data for many of his more popular cartridges. I have other books in the conceptual stages, all gun related. My writings have appeared in Guns & Ammo, Precision Shooting, Sportsmen’s News, the Varmint Hunter and more.
Fred Zeglin, Gunmaker
Do you have an email list I can join?
Just the RSS feed for entries.
could you point me to a Mosin Nagant site for gun smithing? I’m a beginner.
My pre 1940 (cerial no: 138281) Winchester in 30-06 calibre, barrel is shot out. I have a new 308Win barrel and would like to rechamber for the 30-06. Is this possible?
The problem with this idea is that the .308 Winchester shoulder is already larger than the 30-06. So, to make it work you would have to cut off enough of the breach to clean up that shoulder. Otherwise it will work.
would really appreciate if you would pop in over at http://www.gunandgame.com . we have been having a slightly heated discussion on ackley improved chambering, and ive got a professional gunsmith swearing up and down that there is no need to set back the barrel when rechambering to an ackley improved. being this gunsmith is a moderator over there, hes threatened me in private because he thinks im passing out bad info. i could use some experienced back up, because im just a part time hobbyist, so that in his opinion makes me wrong.
thank you very much
Hope my comments helped.
Hi, I’m looking for someone who’s had a career as a gunsmith to help me answer some questions about getting started. I want to know how to market my gunsmith services to get clients and to get some general advice about working as an independent gunsmith. I’d love to get your email address so I could ask some more detailed questions if you have the time. Thank you for all the great information you’ve provided here on your blog.
Joe
Joe, First I would suggest you listen to my Podcast, GunsmithingRadio.com In the first four or five episodes I addressed much of what your asking about. If you wish to contact me just email rifle.builder@z-hat.com Thanks.
Hi Fred, thanks for the direction, I’ll give them a listen and follow up with an email if I have any further questions. Thank you.
Hi Fred, I’m a gunsmith of nearly 20 years myself; just started a blog very similar to yours, and was wondering if you had any interest in being an interviewee for our blog? My site is small and new, but I take some comfort in knowing you have a very similar background to me and have a very refreshing and open style. I hope you will consider it, you can contact me at info@netgunsmith.com the site is at http://www.netgunsmith.com I look forward to talking with you. -Ben-
I will email you direct. Thanks for your comments.
Fred,
I’m wondering if you’re interested in any guest-blogging opportunities. I didn’t see any other way to contact you on your site, but please get back to me if you’re interested in some free content. tpetroff@sportsmanswarehouse.com
I have been know to guest blog and I am always open to a guest blogger here at GunsmithTalk, so long as the material is firearms related.