I simply can't think why anyone would have done this project, unless the muzzle was damaged, and they happened to have a spare target but plate, and an ugly stock on hand, and nothing else to do.
The action is a good one if it is in good shape, and the short barrel barrel would be alright for a go into the weeds rifle if the stock were changed, and good iron sights installed. I wouldn't pay more than $200 for the whole shooting match!
------------------
..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art
The action is marked: "Whitworth" --Alexandria Virginia
Interarms Manchester England Made in Yugoslavia
Disregarding the stock, could this be one of the rifles assembled in the US with no sights as was mentioned in another thread? There are no markings on the barrel.
Mark
[This message has been edited by GonHuntin (edited 04-10-2002).]
------------------
Ray Atkinson
[This message has been edited by Ben Rapp (edited 04-14-2002).]
Since I ordered it that way you can see that there is someone who would have a interest in such a barrel.
Of course the stock is inaproppiate. It's really not a bad stock at all for a target rifle however but I can see why some give it a low value as it's on the wrong rifle.
The questions that the barrel and action are serviceable are valid. The thing to do with that is to have a agreement to check the headspace and action for setback and function and then to shoot it. If it shoots well then it's worth the price of the assembled components. I don't know what that is but.
There is a Whitworth here in classifieds with a scope and magnaporting for $650. I saw a Whitworth .375 at a shop here for $700 that is very nice and not modified.
Just a Douglas bbl like that would cost more than the prices mentioned here. It goes to show that a custom rifle is not that good of an investment.
Mine is very accurate. But I agree that a new M-70 is a lot less trouble.
I would think it is pretty hard to identify a barrel by a photograph. Least thats my experience..
------------------
Ray Atkinson
Your right that a photograph is not enough to identify the make of a replacement bbl. It just looks like mine. This really points out the need for documentation on a "custom" rifle. Even then they are not worth that much it seems.
The .375 bbl that I bought from Douglas is so long ago that I can't recall the price but in todays dollars it must have been a lot more than what you quote.
I bought two air gaged, SS Douglas bbls about 14 years ago. Time goes by. The price was way over what you mentioned. There was a "gunsmiths" discount. How can I get a Douglas air gaged bbl for $150. I assume SS will be some more but I paid a lot more than that.
I just went to the Douglas site and the prices were similar to what I remember. The price of a turned and contoured bbl is $220 plus about $110 for premium air gage and SS. That's up to $330 already and I had one of them fitted to a old M-70 and the "Douglas" countour turned to match the old M-70 26" bbl so that it would drop into the factory stock. The whole bill was about $410 including $50 for chambering to a wildcat. Not $150.
[This message has been edited by Savage 99 (edited 04-15-2002).]