tonykharper
Well-known member
I have very sad (for me) news. TDX my 10.5lb Calfee rifle is dead. Well at least the barrel is.
TDX is as close to a Spec rifle as I've ever been able to get.
When TDX was originally built it had the famous jeweling (engine turning) over the entire action. Just like Spec rifles.
When I got it I may have been guilty of displaying it as a Spec rifle. I never actually told anyone that it was but I made sure they saw that beautiful jeweling.
As luck would have it things didn't go well. I was still shooting Tack Driver, and I didn't think TDX was measuring up.
After awhile I got up the nerve to discuss it with Calfee. He said send it back and I'll look at it. He did what ever he did and finally sent it back.
When it came back the jewelling was gone, but it shot like a house on fire. I was so happy with how it shot I never said a word about the jewelling.
That rifle in my opinion has been the most successful RFBR rifle of all time. No rifle has ever won as much as TDX and I mean at every level.
Yes, there have been and still are rifles that have shot higher scores, and higher aggs.
But none have won more National, Regional, and state matches, or accounted for more Hall of Fame Points than TDX.
I've known for the last two years TDX wasn't what it once was. But it has been my only rifle that makes the 10.5 lb. requirements for IR 50 three gun events.
I've had so much confidence in TDX I think I was able to get better scores from it than I could have from any other rifle.
But after the IR 50 Three Gun Nationals this year I finally decided to give it a good look over. I removed the barrel to take a good look.
I found the leade was all but gone, and it had damage at 12 o clock. That surprised me, I thought the damage or wear would be at 6 o clock.
The leade was gone all around, but the rifling was still there even at 6 o clock. I then realized I had not shot the barrel out, I had cleaned it to death.
I don't know how many rounds have been down the barrel so I will not guess but it has been many. The barrel owes me nothing at this point so I can't cry.
Well, I can, because this rifle has been a very big part of my life for nearly 10 years.
Anyway I sent the barrel to Calfee and asked him to look at it.
He did, and pronounced it dead on arrival. I was hoping for a simple de glazing but not in this case.
I may cut the chamber end off and try it as a shorter version but I haven't yet.
I have re barreled TDX, and it is shooting , I think? We will see next season.
Should I rename TDX, since it is no longer complete, or keep the name?
TKH
TDX is as close to a Spec rifle as I've ever been able to get.
When TDX was originally built it had the famous jeweling (engine turning) over the entire action. Just like Spec rifles.
When I got it I may have been guilty of displaying it as a Spec rifle. I never actually told anyone that it was but I made sure they saw that beautiful jeweling.
As luck would have it things didn't go well. I was still shooting Tack Driver, and I didn't think TDX was measuring up.
After awhile I got up the nerve to discuss it with Calfee. He said send it back and I'll look at it. He did what ever he did and finally sent it back.
When it came back the jewelling was gone, but it shot like a house on fire. I was so happy with how it shot I never said a word about the jewelling.
That rifle in my opinion has been the most successful RFBR rifle of all time. No rifle has ever won as much as TDX and I mean at every level.
Yes, there have been and still are rifles that have shot higher scores, and higher aggs.
But none have won more National, Regional, and state matches, or accounted for more Hall of Fame Points than TDX.
I've known for the last two years TDX wasn't what it once was. But it has been my only rifle that makes the 10.5 lb. requirements for IR 50 three gun events.
I've had so much confidence in TDX I think I was able to get better scores from it than I could have from any other rifle.
But after the IR 50 Three Gun Nationals this year I finally decided to give it a good look over. I removed the barrel to take a good look.
I found the leade was all but gone, and it had damage at 12 o clock. That surprised me, I thought the damage or wear would be at 6 o clock.
The leade was gone all around, but the rifling was still there even at 6 o clock. I then realized I had not shot the barrel out, I had cleaned it to death.
I don't know how many rounds have been down the barrel so I will not guess but it has been many. The barrel owes me nothing at this point so I can't cry.
Well, I can, because this rifle has been a very big part of my life for nearly 10 years.
Anyway I sent the barrel to Calfee and asked him to look at it.
He did, and pronounced it dead on arrival. I was hoping for a simple de glazing but not in this case.
I may cut the chamber end off and try it as a shorter version but I haven't yet.
I have re barreled TDX, and it is shooting , I think? We will see next season.
Should I rename TDX, since it is no longer complete, or keep the name?
TKH
Last edited: