World Record Rifle (and Second BR Gun) Stolen from R. Wagner
You may recall that Forum member Rodney Wagner (aka “Eggman”) shot a 0.349″ (50-2x) group at 600 yards to set two IBS records. This is the smallest 600-yard group in history. With his BAT-actioned Dasher, Rodney put five shots inside a dime at six hundred yards. This is one of the most amazing feats of shooting ever. And now the gun is gone. It was stolen, along with a second benchrest rifle. The combined value of the two guns is over $11,000, but the record gun is priceless.
Rodney’s Record-Setting Rifle Stolen — We Need Your Help
Over the weekend, Rodney Wagner had two valuable benchrest rifles stolen from his truck. Yes, the BAT-actioned Dasher that shot the historic 0.349″ 5-shot group was stolen, along with a second long-range Benchrest Rifle. The theft took place at a motel in Hendersonville, NC.
We request the help of our readers in recovering these two rifles for Rodney. Help us get the word out — talk to your shooting friends, post this story on other forums, link to it on Facebook. Insurance, if any is available at all, will only cover a small part of the loss. But we all know that this isn’t all about the money. You can’t just write a check and buy a rifle that shoots an 0.349″ group at 600 yards. Ironically, the thieves probably have no idea of the special nature of the guns they stole.
Stolen Rifle One: IBS Record-Setting 17-lb benchrest rifle. The BAT B action has serial number B778. It has a white, gray, and black Shehane ST-1000 fiberglass stock, and a Brux 6mm barrel chambered for the 6mm Dasher. A March 10-60x52mm scope (with tactical knobs) is fitted in Burris Signature rings on top. The action is a Right bolt, Left Port, Right Eject.
Stolen Rifle Two: IBS 17-lb Benchrest Rifle. Borden Rimrock action has serial number BR0253. It has a red and black Shehane ST-1000 fiberglass stock, and Brux 6mm barrel fitted with a VAIS muzzle brake. A March 10-60x52mm scope with tactical knobs was on top. We are still looking for photos of this rifle. It appears very similar to the first rifle, but with a red and black stock and a Rimrock action.
It does NOT appear that thieves were specifically targeting the record-setting rifle. The Hendersonville Police told us that another theft was reported at about the same time in the same neighborhood. They called this “an ordinary crime of opportunity”.
Folks, please keep your eyes out for these two rifles. These are distinctive guns — not what you’d see everyday at a pawn shop (or even at most gun ranges). Please tell other folks in the firearms community to be on the look-out. Also, the thieves might try to unload the two March 10-60X Scopes separately. Look for March Serial Numbers X341 and X291. You can use this link to point people to this story: http://bit.ly/14PtT5o.
If you have any information, please contact officer Peter Laite of the Hendersonville (NC) Police Department. Call 828-697-3025 or email: plaite [at] cityofhendersonville.org
$1000.00 Reward OfferedAccurateShooter.com will provide a Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00) reward to any individual who returns the two guns in undamaged condition or provides information that leads directly to the recovery of the two guns in undamaged condition. In addition, Rodney Wagner will pay a $500.00 reward if the two rifles are recovered intact and undamaged. This makes the total reward $1000.00. That’s $500 from AccurateShooter.com, and $500 from Rodney Wagner. |
Similar Posts:
- Amazing! Wagner Shoots 0.349″ (50-2X) Group at 600 Yards
- 6mm Dasher Basics — Bob Hoppe Talks about Loads
- Burris Signature Zee Rings — These Work Great and Are Affordable
- Burris Signature Zee Rings — Good Value and Great Functionality
- Burris Signature Zee Rings — Good Value, Great Functionality
Share the post "World Record Rifle (and Second BR Gun) Stolen from R. Wagner"
Tags: BAT action, Hendersonville, IBS, Rifle Theft, Rimrock, Rodney Wagner, Stole Gun
with any luck the dirtbags dont know what they took and will get sloppy trying to sell it to someone who does.
Sent emails to my friends.
Interesting that Frank Weber’ s record setting 1000 yard gun was stolen after he shot the record at Williamsport.
I have been robbed before too so i know how Rodney is feeling!makes you feel sick and restless wondering how someone could do such a thing. Ill keep my fingers crossed for him!! Lee
Rodney, Sorry for your loss. There may be light at the end of the tunnel. A few years ago I had a customer loose a rifle from his hotel room at a match. He posted the picture and associated identifying numbers to the authorities.
I had built the rifle for him so I was very familiar with the gun. A year after it was stolen I got a call from a guy who said he had a rifle he wanted re-barreled and my name was listed on the existing barrel. He described the barreled action to me. So I had him bring it in. I immediately identified the gun. He left it with me and I called the original owner and he and I met with the local authorities and the BATF. I called the customer back and had him come get the rifle. To his surprise the local authorities and BATF were there to meet him. After introductions the provided the fella with a set of bracelets and took him to the local magistrates office, then to the federal magistrates office. He was questioned and told the officers who he had purchased the rifle from. He paid a normal price for the gun and most likely had not known it was stolen. He testified in the federal grand jury. The fella who originally stole the rifle was indicted, convicted, and is now serving 110 months in federal prison. Because of the cooperation and lack of intent the charges were dropped on the fella who purchased the rifle. He learned a valuable lesson and it cost him over $3,000.00 money loss, and $6,000.00 in legal fees.
I have confidence your rifle will re-appear again hopefully as a undamaged complete rifle. All the reputable gunsmiths that I know will be keeping our eyes open.
Nat Lambeth
Consider contacting gun shops and pawn shops in the area. High likelihood these were local scumbags stealing for drug money, and that’s the easiest way for them to unload big merchandise quickly.
Am I the only one questioning the reward policy of paying only if the gun is returned in undamaged condition?
I’d think apprehending these dirtbags would be paramount, regardless of condition.
Can we add some money to the reward ? I bet if you open this it would reach heights that would haste the re-appearance. If it never shows up in a finite time , lets donate it to Rodney.
It might be a good idea to send a flyer to local ammo dealers. Some dumb crooks may go into a store and ask to buy some 6mm Dasher ammo.
I’d love to know outcome of this- hopefully when the equipment is returned to its rightful owner and the crooks are caught. Please post an update when there are new developments.
Sick..Hope you get them back unharmed.
You’d think the size and weight would tip the scumbags off that these are specialty rifles, not of much interest outside of a limited community. But then again, scumbags aren’t usually all that bright.