Randy's Custom Rifles

09/04/2026

Sad to hear this. Randy [Selby] met Randy Brooks in early 1980's when he was offered a job with Barnes bullets, already owned by Randy and Coni Brooks. They were working to build it up. They pay wasn't what Randy [Selby] was making at Burris Scopes at the time, and we weren't really enthused about a move to UT, so passed the offer up. The two Randy's had a good visit though.
Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord.

- In Memory of a True Innovator -
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Randy Brooks, longtime owner of Barnes Bullets and a visionary whose innovation forever changed the hunting and shooting industry.
 
Randy and his wife, Coni, purchased Barnes Bullets in 1974. Young in their careers but driven by grit, determination and a shared passion for hunting, they built upon the company’s foundation and helped establish Barnes as a leader in bullet innovation.
 
While hunting brown bears in Alaska in 1985, Randy conceived the idea for an expanding, all-copper hunting bullet. That idea became the world-renowned X Bullet®, revolutionizing bullet construction and terminal performance and forever changing the way hunters viewed an all-copper projectile.
 
Randy’s legacy extends far beyond the products he helped create. It lives on in the company he built, the industry he helped advance and the generations of hunters who have trusted Barnes when the moment matters most.
 
We are deeply grateful for Randy’s vision that shaped the Barnes brand we know today. Our heartfelt condolences are with Coni, the Brooks family, Randy’s friends and all those whose lives he touched. His impact will never be forgotten.

09/02/2026

And then there is this! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Xh2mooKL/

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09/02/2026

We frequently get email or phone thanks for the work Randy has done, and lots of positive comments on our YT channel videos. We recently got a long, detailed email from a repeat client. I am sharing this with a few details removed to protect his privacy, though I do have his permission to use his words: Randy, I hope you and Cathy are doing well. As the hunting seasons are fast approaching I often time think of you and your bride and just wanted to express my sincere gratitude for all the wonderful work you’ve done in making my ri**es. I had the 7 mm PRC out today getting it ready for its use this year in elk hunting with the same outfitter I’ve been with in Colorado for the past 28 years. Of course, when I think about getting tuned up for those perfect dream shots on a 5x6’s or 6x6’s at 350-450 yds across shallow ravines in Haden Colorado, I’m super confident in my Randy Selby ri**es in .300 Weatherby Mag. ,and 7 MM PRC. I feel as though I’m ready for any shot challenge.
I absolutely love my .270 Weatherby “Falling Block”. Another master piece of perfection. That r***e is so accurate, Randy, that I can punch a “ Golden Delicious” apple off a wooden bench at 450 yds and not move the bench. It’s so fun to shoot because it has very little shot recoil. I’ve been able to regain my shot courage with all your ri**es.
As you know, taking a 450 yd shot on an animal carries an enormous responsibility. If your effort is half-hearted and non-focused you’ve created the worst kind of problem - a wounded animal. You might as well call all the coyotes and bear you can to have a feast.
One of the reasons ( if not the main reason) I contacted you a few years back was because I was so in need of a very special upgrade in my elk gun selections. I scoured the internet looking for professional gun smiths who might be able to work with me to focus on my dream elk r***e, and you showed up. I just learned an awful lot about your approach to elk ri**es and proper shooting knowledge of how certain grain bullets would perform if given an optimum situation. And let’s not forget all the know how on creating those reload rounds. I still have all three of my .300 Weatherby boxes of 20 in 180 gr. Nosler patrician rounds you loaded up for me. I’m just so afraid of using them for I fear I’ll never see anything like them again!!
But now comes my pride and joy. The one r***e you built for me that will forever be a part of the Sargent clan, and that’s my most favorite southern deer hunting r***e the .280 Ackley Improved. My favorite. I can’t begin to tell you the confidence I have in the gun. I bagged a beautiful southern white tail in Blakley Ga last year. A 10 pointer. 175 pounds. A 200 yd shot in an open field. I was so shakened by the event I couldn’t sleep that night. My wife had to endure my story telling many times over. I finally calmed down around Easter!!! My most favorite Randy Selby creation. Love it.
So, I hope you guys know how much I deeply appreciate your efforts in helping me enjoy my shooting and hunting sports. It’s kept me active and healthy, I think. I’d shoot 3 to 4 times a week. Even built a long-range shooting field on one of my farms. Can’t stay away.

We love to hear from past and current clients. We thank this shooter who has been a joy to work with. We look forward to working with him again when he is ready.

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08/23/2026

UPDATE: Cucullia (often referred to as a hooded owlet moth larva) I was pleased with how these turned out with overcast light, in the "shadow" of a building. They are on what I know as sticky geranium. But I could be wrong. I think I was once before. 😉 Pink to lavender flowers, and produces, after blooming, annoying stick-ems.
I have no idea what these caterpillars will be.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

08/19/2026

Tikka R***e Recall — Key Facts and Owner Guidance
A recall of certain stainless steel-barreled Tikka ri**es (and some Sako models) has been reported, primarily linked to barrel steel defects that can cause catastrophic failures such as barrel splitting or receiver damage Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum.

Scope of the Recall
Models affected: Stainless steel-barreled Tikka T‑3 ri**es, particularly the T‑3 Stainless/Lite Synthetic in .243 Wi******er, and some Sako 75s Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum+1.

Manufacture date: Ri**es made after February 2004 are included; pre‑Feb 2004 models are not affected forum.thehunterslife.com.

Reason: A “blown‑up” or flawed batch of stainless steel barrels. Firing these ri**es can cause serious injury to the owner or others Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum.

Number involved: Reports indicate dozens to over 50 affected ri**es in some countries, with many more still unaccounted for Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum+1.

How the Recall Works
Identification: Owners are contacted by authorized distributors (e.g., Beretta Australia) with exact serial numbers of affected ri**es forum.thehunterslife.com.

Action required: Affected ri**es must be returned to the distributor or factory for inspection and repair or replacement Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum+1.

Repair/replacement: The process may involve barrel replacement, full r***e replacement, or other factory‑authorized work. Beretta has stated they are issuing new ri**es to affected owners forum.thehunterslife.com.

Testing: Suspect ri**es are sent to the Sako/Tikka factory in Finland for testing Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum.

Safety and Owner Steps
Do not fire the r***e until it has been inspected and cleared by the manufacturer or authorized service.

Contact your distributor or Tikka/Sako support immediately if you own a stainless steel‑barreled Tikka/T‑3 made after Feb 2004.

Keep records of all communications and serial numbers.

Follow return instructions provided by the distributor to avoid further risk.

Current Status
The recall is ongoing globally, with affected ri**es being identified and processed Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum+1.

Some owners report long waits for replacement ri**es, so prompt action is advised Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum.

Tip: If you are unsure whether your r***e is affected, check your serial number against the official recall list or contact Tikka/Sako support via their official channels

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08/08/2026

I’d been watering trees, rose bushes and rhubarb yesterday morning. Just on the back side of the house, as I was walking around, a rattlesnake startled me. Even though I watch for them, there is an initial, “Yikes!”. I was able to keep track of it, grabbed a shovel and dispatched him. They can be where ever they want away from the house but NOT at the house. 😉 I don’t think Anson would allow himself to be bitten, again, but his hearing and eyesight aren’t tops any more, and I am not sure, as a result, if his smeller is working as well.
Then, to top off of the day, I realized after supper that the bird feeders that I have on pulleys hanging from the box elder tree in back [to keep, in theory, out of reach of grizzly bear] were, for all practical purposes, empty. I feed sunflower seeds in the shells. At a quick glance, I thought a finch was maybe cleaning up any tidbits. But, nope, when I got back there with seeds, I realize its head is stuck in that little area that the seeds drop down onto the feeding platform!! I called Grampa. I lowered the feeder, had him keep tension on the line. With my left hand I gently held the bird, which I could tell was still alive [at 90 degrees, how long could it have lasted?], and with the right holding onto the wire it hangs from, was able to barely lift the lid, then lift the plexiglass just a tad [it is in there firmly!] and pulled the bird out. I felt a strong flutter, so opened my fist and it flew away. JOY! I loved Flint and Landon’s comments when I told them. Flint said, “A balanced day: you took one life and saved another.” U. Landon said, “Can you imagine the story that little bird told its buddies?”
Photos just for fun, as I didn't take any of either event.

07/31/2026

For a few days I put up a trail camera to capture tree swallows that are in the bluebird nesting box. I know, they think it is a tree swallow nesting box.
I had some photos and video I took while I stood nearby, but wondered what the trail camera would show. I am so glad I did!
As I was going through thousands of photos, literally, I gasped at 3:28 pm on the 25th of this month. And ALL are time-stamped at 3:28.
An American Kestral was trying hard to get to the fledglings! I am posting all here, with the exception of a few seconds it must have flown off out of the frame [not even in the larger, uncropped frames].
Despite its attempts, as far as I can tell, it was not successful.
Who knows, as I process more, I may find more attempts.

07/25/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1L6wNDKssX/ It WILL resurface, there or elsewhere, but a win for now. Thankfully!

Huge win for hunters: Oregon’s proposed hunting and fishing ban is officially dead for 2026. The PEACE Act fell nearly 13,000 valid signatures short of qualifying for the November ballot. It would have removed long-standing exemptions from Oregon’s animal-cruelty laws and effectively outlawed hunting, fishing, trapping and many normal farming practices.

But remember, this is their goal, it is not their only path to get there. State by state, and law by law, anti-hunting activists will keep trying to take one species, one season and one method at a time until there is nothing left. Hunters stopped the full attack in Oregon, but we cannot ignore the smaller ones happening everywhere else.

— Stephen Ziegler
Outdoor writer | Rack Junkies Podcast

07/25/2026

A resting broad-tailed hummingbird, one of their favorite respite areas. The adult chukars are easy to spot. Can you find the 7 fledglings? Tree swallow fledgling, seeming to glare at me, as it pushed a sibling out of the way, watching for the next meal, which was promptly delivered. They take over the bluebird nest boxes.

05/02/2026

Yesterday the East Gate of Yellowstone Park opened for the season. The snow pack at Sylvan Pass is 59%. Sad. Lowest Randy remembers ever seeing it. Also, he has never seen the lake ice free the opening week. No trace of ice at all. We didn't go in far, just to Lake Butte Overlook, as I am not up to a long day right now. We saw one buffalo in the Park. Elk and deer out of the Park [sorry, no photos] and 4 nests of peregrine falcons. The camera that I use almost exclusively for videos is NOT impressive for the bird photos, unlike my other, which is on the fritz. I had to do a bit of editing to get 2 decent photos.

If you have read this far: "Farce brook" has notified me that we still violate "community standards" without defining what that violation is or how, nor any way to "talk back" and ask for another real review. :(
Therefore, to be "in your face", I'd like each of you to share our page, any post, with at least two other people. If you choose not to, that is okay, too.

God bless.