Fellow ARers:

Over the past few months, I have been doing a lot of posts about actions, barrels and gun stocks for a "labor of love" project that my father and I are starting for my son, Ewan.

Well, the project is now officially under way, and I wanted to share with everyone the progress of this project.

As of right now, here is what we have:

A pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 action that was manufactured in 1955.

Roger Ferrell will be the gunsmith doing all of the action works, barrel installation and sight work.

Our very own Bill Soverns will be doing the stock work.

Just yesterday I wired Ali Denli the money for the Circassian Walnut wood blank that I am using for this project. The blank should arrive in the US in a a week or two. Here is a photo of the blank that Bill will be working with:



Bill will be carving the wood blank into a stock very similar to this shape: Custom Gun by Todd Ramirez

We have choosen a Kreiger Barrel for this project. Based upon feedback and recommendations from many people here on AR, specifics about this barrel include:

Chrome Molly
Blued
1 in 10" rate of twist
24" barrel
32 Standard Sporter Contour

We plan on have a barrel band front swivel and the sights will probably be from NECG.

That's the project as of today. The action will be shipped to Roger next week and he will order and install the barrel and do any and all necessary work on the action. He said it will probably take about 12 weeks for the barrel to arrive.

As more updates become available, I will post them here!

Wow your son is very lucky to receive such a rifle and even luckier to have a father and grandfather that would consider and execute such a project.

quote:

Originally posted by free_miner:
Wow your son is very lucky to receive such a rifle and even luckier to have a father and grandfather that would consider and execute such a project.

NO KIDDING!!!!! In my family's case, it would be ME giving my dad a custom rifle.

That WOOD IS AWESOME, BTW!!! The only thing that I would change is to build a 1-12" twist, .35 Whelen!

Thanks, guys.

Even before my son was born, I wanted to do something very special for him. So when he goes deer hunting with me when he's older, he will take with him something that is very special not only to him, but also to my father and I.

And to top this off, my good friend, jjs who posts on here, is contributing an engraved pistol grip for this project. THANK YOU JIM!!!!!

577NE,

That'll be a dandy rifle that your son will be able to pass on to his son, etc.....! Beautiful wood, excellent stockmaker and metalsmith, great action and barrel. Come to think of it, maybe you should just send it to me so I can make sure everything is just right on it before you gift it to Ewan....shouldn't take more than about 20 years!

How old is Ewan? Don't tell he's like 5 years old!! I'd hate to be jealous of a 5 year old!!

quote:

How old is Ewan? Don't tell he's like 5 years old!! I'd hate to be jealous of a 5 year old!!

Nope, not five.

19 months

And for those who are curious, the stock dimensions will be built for an adult.

Even better!!!! Now I'm jealous of a 19 month old child

Good for him..............I guess

577,

I am available for Adoption ...

Ewan has a father with a heart of gold...

Paul,

I vote for the NECG Recknagle "Express Sights"...check out the one under Misc. that is barrel band w/recoil lug..that base can be had to handle two leaves and would be really sharp set-up..

Let me know when Bill and/or Roger (both are fine craftsman for sure) know what size grip cap you need and the style you want....need a little lead time for the engraver...

By the way, the package arrived today..Thank you!

Jim:

You will always have a place to crash at my place should you ever need to. But, I'm not sure how one would go about adopting a person who is older than themselves....

I have taken a look at the NECG sigths you mentioned and they are VERY nice. When we get to that point (in about a year or so), we'll see what's in the market at that time and go from there.

I've already spoken with Bill about you wanting to do something for the grip cap. He wants to do the inletting with the grip cap in the white first, then do whatever you want with it. When I get the barreled action sent to Bill, we'll work out final details and I'll let you know.

Jim, I can't thank you enough. You are a true friend.

Glad the package made it to you! The second one is big, ain't it?

Fabulous project. Hope your son's figured out if he's right or left handed before you get too far along....

Seriously, this sounds like the most worthwhile rifle project I can imagine....

Congrats and good luck!

Dan

You have a very lucky son. I think it's great that you and your father can both contribute to a project for your son. That rifle will be a family heirloom that will be passed on for generations in your family. Good on ya.

That is some of the most beutiful wood I have seen for a stock. Very very nice.

The Rifle blank is on its way to the USA. Upon arrival, I'll post additional photos of the blank.

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
The Rifle blank is on its way to the USA. Upon arrival, I'll post additional photos of the blank.

I look forward to drooling over it!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Dan H:
Hope your son's figured out if he's right or left handed before you get too far along....

Dan

No shee----at!!!!!!!

577
Mom probably didn't tell you that you have a Son out of wedlock, anxiously awaiting your reply.
Long lost Son.

Seriously, Your Son should be VERY proud, mine had to do with a factory 77 Ruger in 6m/m, a rifle that, despite the bashing shoots 3/10" on a good day(most days).
Good luck to you and your Son.

Stepchild

Very nice. Should be a dandy once complete.

577
Nice looking wood, a classic action in a great caliber.

For starters I would get him a youth model 22 and a double bbled .410, a little coach gun with 2 triggers.

Wow!!! Great choices. Roger put together a 9.3x62 for me last year. He does excellent work and knows how to build a shooter.

Thanks, guys. This is a very special project for me - a true labor of love.

The blank should arrive within the next few days. When it gets here, I will post additional photos.