Word has been received from the USA that Ed Shilen has passed away.
Ed was the name behind Shilen actions, barrels and rifles, and was a true legend of the benchrest sport Worldwide.
Shilen barrels were common in Australia for some time, and used by many of the top competitors.
They still are, but are now harder to come by.
My first benchrest rifle was a factory Shilen DGA light varmint - that was back in early 1976.
The Shilen distributor at the time was FC Lovelock in Adelaide, and Ray Stone was the manager and a keen BR shooter.
I gained entry into the Hall of Fame using Shilen barrels, and still have a couple if them.
I never got to meet Ed but would have liked to.
My condolences to the family
BA
Ed was a part of a group who came to Australia to shoot a benchrest match way back in 1975!
BB Administrator
I had the good fortune to not only meet Ed but competed with him, spent time in his company and was entertained royally by him. Firstly in 1975 when a group came to our shores to compete in the Speer Lovelock matches in Canberra and the Qld State titles in Brisbane. In Canberra Ed won Light, shot best 200 yard agg of the weekend and won 2 Gun. The lesson he handed out on reading mirage was something never forgotten. Skip Gordon reported - "if you live in Texas and shoot in Texas (as Ed did) you either learn to "read" mirage or take up trap shooting". The Down Under Group then competed in Brisbane and Ed's only entry on the result sheet was 10th in Heavy G/A.
In 1984 Jean and Denis Tobler and Tom and I were given the royal treatment and tour of Shilen Rifles Inc. in Ennis Texas. First we met Doug and Mikela - Ed's son and daughter who were integral parts of the business and then Ed guided us through every section of the factory - action and barrel manufacture, repairs, heat treatment booth, spray booths you name it we saw and had the process explained- quite an experience. For Denis the experience cemented his resolve to manufacture barrels and know he learned much from Ed's operations. Then to cap off our adventure Ed entertained us to dinner in a converted bank building that was true to its origins and felt and looked for all the world like those bank buildings in old western movies. Over dinner we spoke of many things including his bucket list and one thing he wanted to do was come back to Australia and take part in the gliding events at Narromine but never found the time.
Ed was very generous with his time and vast knowledge and one of those who accomplished just about everything there was to accomplish whilst at the same time passing on the finer points without fanfare or boasting. We are sadden by his passing but enriched by the time we spent and learnt from him.
Condolences to the family
Ann Brummell
There is little I can add to Brendan and Ann's comments.
I haven't seen or corresponded with him for years but had the fortune of meeting Ed in Sydney for the first time with Ron Marsden. Ed invited us to his hotel room for a chat and see four (4) of his latest Shilen actioned custom rifles. The workmanship was flawless particularly the walnut stock work. That was the first time I saw a Shilen thumbhole stocked rifle. Ed emphasised how important the bedding was with little screw tension needed when the fit was perfect. We continued to talk rifles and benchrest well into the night, time passed so quickly. He will be sadly missed by all and his nic name "The Silver Fox" will be remembered for many years.
Bruce Treloar
mushroom
I am sad to hear of Ed's passing. I also never met the man but have used nothing except his Ratchet barrels in my Rimfires ever since I started competition shooting about ten years ago. I am an absolute Shilen fan and have never seen a bad barrel with his name on it. Indeed a true legend and he will surely be sadly missed.
Team KAOS
Calm and Relentless