Wood - AAA grade English Walnut
Action: Sako A2 with factory barrel contour
Cerra-Coated all steel parts, McFarland Steel butt plate, etc.
Howell inletted sling swivels, 26 L.P.I. checkering, full wrap-around checkering throughout
Miller Phillips, Homewood, Alabama
Completed 8-2011

Testimonial
I've been sitting in front of this gun with a cold beer and inspecting and admiring it for over an hour. It is absolutely, without a doubt, the finest looking rifle I have ever seen, let alone owned. It fits me perfect, it looks perfect and I could not be prouder of it. Hopefully, I will find some time later this week to go and shoot it. I've gotten the scope mounted and am ready to go, I just need to find a little time to get it to the range and cycle some rounds through it. I'll also be sending you some pictures of the gun with the scope mounted. I look forward to sending you some more guns to refurbish in the future. Thank you so much.
Miller Phillips
Homewood, Alabama
Completed 8-2011

Dear Neal, Just wanted to let you know how impressed I am with the shotgun you built for me. I have been shooting birds with it since opener, (Oct. 9). I missed my first rooster on the 29th. The cast-off you put into the stock and other dimensions that you put into the stock are perfect. The B 2000 20 ga. is a lightning rod. It is as functional as it is beautiful. I have shot a lot of birds in the last 30 years, probably 2500+. I enjoy using the 20 ga. you built for me more than any shotgun I have ever had. Tony

I have been a client of Neal's for many years; almost from the beginning when he first started building custom rifles. I have a .270 Win, a 300 H & H, 404 Jeffery, 35 Whelen and a .22-250 that he built for me. These rifles have been a great source of pride and enjoyment. I have been successful collecting hogs, whitetails, moose, bear and a host of African antelopes with them. I feel that the quality of his work rivals my late uncle's craftsmanship, Byrd Pearson of Provo, Utah. I feel Neal is extremely accomplished, confident and honest. As a result, Neal and I have enjoyed a lasting friendship and bond. I highly recommend Neal as a choice for your personal gunmaker. --Jack Harrison

I am a rifle aficionado. And yes I can make an off the shelf factory rifle shoot sub-minute groups utilizing hand loads, reducing the trigger pull, etc. What I cannot do is build beautiful, functional rifles as well as accurate rifles. Two old clichés come to mind when it comes to rifles: Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun and only accurate rifles are interesting. Neal Bauder builds beautiful rifles that are accurate, the testament is seen in the photograph, The rifle in the picture is a .416 Remington Magnum built on a Sako magnum length Action. This beautiful rifle is Neal&39;s creation. In fact, it is one of four rifles Neal has built for me that include the classic: 7 x 57; 6.5-06, and 30.06. I plan on having Neal build me more rifles for me in the future. Not only are the rifles beautiful and functional, they are works of art that I will pass on to my heirs. --Tim Vining

Following are some photos of a Remington model 25 in 25/20 that Neal Bauder built for me some years ago. Neal's work shows the great care and quality that he exhibits in every project. The fit and finish is everything in a custom stock. The pictures speak for themselves. I've known Neal for almost two decades, and have seen many pieces that he has produced. All have the same amount of care, quality, and craftsmanship. I value this little rifle more than any that I own. If you have any questions about the work that Neal has done for me, please email me at jcarlstrom@live.com. Thank you, James L. Carlstrom

Dear Neal, I wanted to drop you a note to let you know how pleased I am with the recent .270 you built for me. It's amazing that something this beautiful shoots so well. I took your advice on bullets and powder and my average group size is .42"! I have been an avid collector of quality firearms and hunter for nearly 25 years. The quality and general fit and finish of this rifle surpasses most of the other custom guns in my safe. Best Wishes, Eric Patterson

Dear Neal: "First, let me tell you how surprised I was when I walked into your shop and saw my rifle. Being a custom gunmaker myself (retired), I know that I am extra picky about all items. Your stock work is nothing less than fantastic. The lines on the stock are clear, straight, and impressive. The skelaton grip looks excellent. I had been saving that piece of Australian for 17 years, and am very glad that we put it on that rifle. Thanks again for going such a fantastic job on my .308." - Bob Heinch

Rhino .416 Rem. Not all hunts involve hunting the Big 5. However I have been fortunate enough to take this rhino with the .416 Rem that Neal built for me in 2003. A fairly physical hunt in 110 degree weather, with a healthy dose of humidity. 4 shots with 400gr solids were needed to bring him down. All shots were killing shots (eventually) but at 30 yards with a wounded animal that is faster than you is not the time to admire your handy work.

Warthog .22-250. Of approximatly 200 warthogs I have taken over the past 15 years, this .22-250 has accounted for 25 of them. This rifle has preformed flawlessly since 2003 when Neal made it for me. I have shot them all using 55gr Sierra Gamekings,at ranges between 25 and 200 yards.

"Dear Neal,
I just wanted to say how fantastically wonderful your workmanship is. I have been collecting guns for a long time and have never come across riflework that is this fantastic. You are a true artist! Thanks for telling me about the 17hmr. and converting my rifle to this caliber as well. We compared your rifle to my neighbor's Holland and Holland shotguns and his Dakota. Your rifle is in a league all its own, totally awesome work. Please don't hesitate to have anyone give me a call regarding your rifle building abilities.
Tom Powell
Mobile, Alabama
August, 2010."

Tim Vining with his trophy elephant taken in February 2011, with Hilary Daffi Safaris in his Lunda Concession adjacent to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Pictured in the foreground is Tim’s 416 Remington Magnum built by Neal Bauder, gunsmith.

This safari was my 5th trip to Africa and 1st to Tanzania. I wanted to make sure the rifles I took were accurate, reliable and looked good. Neal whom I have been friends with a good number of years and have hunted and fished with in Alaska built two beautiful rifles. The 416 Remington Magnum is on a Sako AV Action, and has a Krieger Barrel. The rifle stock is a beautiful English Walnut. The rifle has a palm swell and 27 line per inch checkering.

The 30-06 is on a Winchester Model 70 Action and has a Krieger Barrel. The rifle stock is Bastone Walnut, has a palm swell, hand checkering with ribbon. Both rifles are beautiful, reliable and accurate. The results in the photos speak for themselves. If you are in the market for a custom rifle please consider Neal Bauder. On a dangerous game hunt I bet my life on the rifles built by Neal.

Tim Vining with Hassanali Lakak, PH and Tim’s Lion taken February 2011 with Hilary Daffi Safaris in the Lunda Concession. Hassanali is holding Tim’s 416 Remington Magnum that was built by Neal Bauder.