I received a call today informing me that Ray Brandes has passed away. We are truly diminished.

I saw Ray at various matches in Florida, and got to know him better when we asked him to coach the Florida Team at Nationals.


He was a truly an innovator and master machinist. He was the Ray in Ray-Vin products. Many of you use his cart conversion kits. He was the main driver for the Compass Lake .22LR upper.


The lead forearm and butt stock weights we use were formed from lead out of bullets recovered from range backstops. So, to recover the lead Ray designed a solar smelter that tracked the sun. The lead dripped out and the jackets were sold for scrap. And all the proceeds from the products and scrapping were donated to junior programs.



Ray was always a fascinating person to talk to, he had such a creative mind.


I'm really going to miss him.