I was shooting my T-Rex the other day and was wondering why A-Square didn't cut checkering on the forearm. Out of curiosity I looked up some pictures of other A-Square rifles and noticed a lack of cut checkering, including Saeed's rifle in the videos. Although knowing Saeed, he probably put imperial sizing wax on there just for the enjoyment of other shooters

I was thinking of getting the checkering done on the forearm because with full loads on a warm day (sweaty hands & oiled stock) forearm grip might slip.

What are the Pro's & Con's of getting the checkering cut on my stock?

-----------------------------------------------

Also, it's good to be back online under my old handle of BMG. My e-mail got left by the wayside back in 02' and I took a break from 'seriously playing' with my big bores. It took a few months but I got my handle back and am back to shooting my big boomers again.
.577 T-Rex A-Square
.50 BMG
.510 JAB (Rons reemer)
.50 BMD Short (2")
.50 AE Upper AR-15
.416 Rigby

go put your left hand on the belt sander while its running and you will know why it has none

BMG,
Hey, hey, hey! Good to see you back.
The way the 577 Trex torques, I would want more texture than just slick wood.

If a person such as CRUSHER is worried about his hand, then he should wear a glove until he toughens up into a horny handed son of toil like Elmer.

Wrinkle paint or grit-textured paint on a synthetic works fine, such as the Mitch Carter Trex that I fired.

Checker it!

Good to see you back, and thanks for mentioning the .510 JAB. The Gun Tailor is going to become the Gun Doctor soon: Kevin Jenkins, the "J" in "JAB," your gunsmith and mine, is going to medical school.

Spray some epoxy on the forend and then sprinkle on some sand. That way it will be consistent with Art Alpins finer design criteria for the t-rex.. Thast was a $150 a2 high end ADD ON option..-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Spray some epoxy on the forend and then sprinkle on some sand. That way it will be consistent with Art Alpins finer design criteria for the t-rex.. Thast was a $150 a2 high end ADD ON option..-Rob

now THAT is funny, i don't care who you are!!

of course you could use "texture" tape, designed for stairs ... its about 40 grit...

"grippering" rather than checkering...

like this
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93159523

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
"grippering" rather than checkering...

like this
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93159523

Bio-Hazard from decaying skin, blood, and sweat growing in the checkering. Besides - checkering is gay. Did any old school military rifles have checkering? Any modern military rifles have checkering? Did I mention that checkering is tacky? Ugly? and oh yes....GAY!!!

I'd say checkering would obviously be the best and most attractive way to go, but what about that Pachmayr stick on stuff they make specifically for gunstocks? I've heard it works pretty well and helps give some extra bite to stocks when dealing with wet/sweaty hands. It's certainly not the prettiest solution on a high(er) dollar rifle like a Hannibal, but it would be functional.

My A-Square Hannibal doesn't have a checkered stock, either. I've also wondered what to do about this since I also have the problem that my hand size seems sorta small for the size of the stock foreend. Still love shooting this gun. One of my favorites.

There's got to be some gunsmith - stock maker out there who offers the service of checkering???

You could have it stippled? It would be less abrasive to the skin than checkering but would still provide a better gripping surface.

I painted mine with textured rustoleum and saved 140 bucks off the a2 list. plus mine is a mpi stock so im not sure how well it would checker.

the same guys that tell you to move your front sling swivel to the bbl so your hand wont hit it under recoil are telling you this wont hurt and to toughen up. if it slides out of your hand hold on tighter dont make your stock a row of razors to bite into you better. grip harder.

quote:

Originally posted by CRUSHER:
I painted mine with textured rustoleum and saved 140 bucks off the a2 list ...

... grip harder.

Rob and CRUSHER are both in rare form here!

Gotta grip a Trex with thumb over the top of the barrel. No need to checker the barrel though.

How about using a checkering tool to just groove the wood in parallel lines on a diagonal to the long axis of the stock. Such half-baked checkering might be more in keeping with "A-Square Aesthetics."


BMG,
Welcome back to the "No Mercy Gang."
Coil-Chunk stocks are always good for discussion.

I wouldn't even consider it.

Have you ever seen checkering on a railroad tie? No, because the creosote makes it plenty tacky enough to hang on to. Especially in hot weather - although being from Minnesota you don't get much of that, I know.

Instead, I would replace the railroad tie with something more recognizable as a stock. That would include normal buttstock, grip and fore arm contours and checkering.

the thumb over style looks silly so get a velcro strap sew it to your mitten then you could strap the gun to your padded left hand.

I made one of these for a guy with 3 fingers missing on his left hand works pretty good.

Just like old times

I'm 'Off Forum' for close to 6yrs and I feel like Norm walking into Cheers and sitting at MY stool at the end of the bar.

I knew a Coil-Chunk, RR Tie, Block-O-Wood A-Square stock would definately get some feedback.

Personally, I like the stock and it seems to work well. I'll never bring it to Africa if I go because my 416 Rigby would work much better. However it did a fine job on a MN black bear a few years ago. It went 12", straight down, which makes tracking easy. For close range N. American game it is a fun rifle to use.

I wouldn't use any peel and stick grippy tape because the rifle deserves better than that. The glue & sand method, while appealing, would be to messy and need re-application often (Rob )

So far, checkering seems to be the way to go.

I'm going to be working up some accuracy loads for this rifle soon. Up till now I've been using 650gr Woodleighs with 185gr H4831 for just over 2425fps. It's worked well so far but it's time to play again. I might need someone with Quickload for some data help.



RIP - .510 JAB, gotta give credit where credit is due. Thanks again for letting Kevin 'J' use your reemer for my rifle. I shot an unlucky 5pt buck with it this fall. 570gr Woodleigh SP going about 2200fps at a range of 15yds, well, lets just say it did the trick.
Also, have you been shooting the 705gr AAA Semi-Bore riders much lately? If I remember correctly, your .510 JAB seemed to like them.

BMG

Brooks tactical makes a good grip surface for plastic pistols, and it's available in sheets. It shouldn't hurt your hand -- it resembles moleskin in texture, but if gives a great grip.

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
"grippering" rather than checkering...

like this
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93159523

Bio-Hazard from decaying skin, blood, and sweat growing in the checkering. Besides - checkering is gay. Did any old school military rifles have checkering? Any modern military rifles have checkering? Did I mention that checkering is tacky? Ugly? and oh yes....GAY!!!

This coming from a guy in California. But, I suppose if anyone would be up on the latest in alternative lifestyle trends, if would be a resident of the land of the Brokeback Bwana.

So, what pray tell, is the haute coture for gripping assistance on the left coast? A hearty lufta buff to the fore end? Pumice stoning the pistol grip? A cucumber rinse or a sea kelp wrap? Something involving a gerbil?

quote:

Originally posted by BMG:
Just like old times

I'm 'Off Forum' for close to 6yrs and I feel like Norm walking into Cheers and sitting at MY stool at the end of the bar.

I knew a Coil-Chunk, RR Tie, Block-O-Wood A-Square stock would definately get some feedback.

All in good fun.

Just put spade grips and a pintle mount on that beast, fire it from a tripod, and forget the checkering!

BMG,
Thanks for the tip on the Harlow. My 510 JAB's do like them.


I liked it so much that I got Macifej to make a .395/325-grain S&H Ripper aka "The SHarlow."

AAA's .510/705-grain Harlow on the extreme left, GSC .510/850-grain SP on the far right, and .510/720-grain GSC SP next to the Harlow:



Compare the Harlow to the SHarlow: Dr. Evil and Mini Me



Macifej,
Checkering is not gay unless it is fleur de lis.

quote:

Originally posted by BMG:

I'm going to be working up some accuracy loads for this rifle soon. Up till now I've been using 650gr Woodleighs with 185gr H4831 for just over 2425fps. It's worked well so far but it's time to play again. I might need someone with Quickload ...

BMG

I have AccuLoadIII and could see how it handles something as big as the Trex. I'll try it if you want to supply:

*the length and weight of your bullet(s)
**COL for load with each bullet
***measured gross water capacity of the brass used

May we assume brass length of 2.990" and COL of 3.710" as shown in the A-Square manual?

Standard or reduced "Cowboy" load?

You seem to be on the right track with the 650-grain Woodleigh and H4831.
Master Mitch Carter did this at 100 yards with a 6X Leupold:



2539 fps in a 26" barrel of 1:12" TWIST.
F215 primer.
A-Square brass.
193.0 grains of H4831.

quote:

This coming from a guy in California. But, I suppose if anyone would be up on the latest in alternative lifestyle trends, if would be a resident of the land of the Brokeback Bwana.

So, what pray tell, is the haute coture for gripping assistance on the left coast? A hearty lufta buff to the fore end? Pumice stoning the pistol grip? A cucumber rinse or a sea kelp wrap? Something involving a gerbil?

You're confusing the other end of the state with us Hunnic types in the south. No Butt-boy Bwana round here y'all. No carrot juice smoothy's. We're holding the last bit of anti-Bolshevik territory with little help from you Texan's barkin' from the safety of your compounds. Checkering is still gay!! And we don't need no stinkin' grip assistance y'all!!

Mac,
Have a jigger of Ratzeputz and chill out.
The "gay" gag only works around here in the phrase "double rifle gays" in reference to two-hole obsession.

BMG, again, welcome back to the zoo.

RIP!!!!

I had a micro shot of Fernet Branca and then another microshot of Arnbitter but they don't seem to be helping so I guess I'll have to take your advice and go for a shot of the Devil drink.

FYI - your dies are finished and there are TWO sets of 666 Teufel dies going to be TiN so you may get one of your very own!!

What's the port size on that McRepeater action??

quote:

Checkering is still gay!!

Mine is checkered, on the forearm and both sides of the grip. I checkered the top of the wrist to tie in the two panels. Works real well.

BMG.....

I'm with you, I kinda like them there big chunks o' wood!

archdlx

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:

FYI - your dies are finished and there are TWO sets of 666 Teufel dies going to be TiN so you may get one of your very own!!

What's the port size on that McRepeater action??

I assume you mean the two sets of 400/.395 NE dies I am having made for Max and me?

The ejection port on a Cobb 50BA is about 5-7/8" long, I assume the McMillan action is about the same.

How long is the COL of a .666 Teufel?

You have the BATFE compliance in Kalifornistan covered, right?
Don't build one there, build it in Kentucky?

Two sets of .395/400's and two sets of .666 Teufel.

COAL is 4.5" - Have to be built in Kentucky as the elves are busy with other stuff now.

I can get the BATFE paperwork done rather quickly if needed.

Then let us give the .666 Teufel an alternate name, so as to "speak of the devil" in a devious way, as usual around here.
This highjack by the devil seems to have scared BMG off.
Hopefully not for another 6 years.

What is the land diameter of the barrel if the groove diameter is .666"?

And what is the TWIST?

Sorry, but the devil made me ask.

I'd say .655 x .666 should do the trick with a 1:10 twist for good measure.

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
I'd say .655 x .666 should do the trick with a 1:10 twist for good measure.

Excellent! Why not? WeiB der Teufel!

I think I finally get it, the cartridge name.
The .666 Teufel: It is to be wild and uncontrollable, as in possessed of the devil. Den Teufel in lieb haben.

Of course to me it will be the "Sixty Naught Nine," and a reason to acquire a McMillan action, and someday to say: Unser Geld war zum Teufel.

Ja! Warning label should read: "Verwenden Sie nicht diese Waffe während Ratzeputz trinken!"

Think we should de-jack this thread and give it back to BMG now??

Matt,
Back to you.