Here is another I have recently finished up. A 450 Alaskan built on a Browning 71 action, the stock maker pics it up tomorrow morning. Octagon barrel was machined from a Krieger blank. Rotary dovetail, dovetails, etc were machined in, along with cuts in the breech for extractor and bolt. Barrel was machined to very closely match an original Winchester, most of the dimensions were taken from a Winchester.













After stocking it will get engraved and blued. The customer did not have a sight, so once he finds one I will cut for the rear sight.

Is there interest in me working backwards from completion to show some of the work that went on? If so I will post some in progress pictures.

Yes! Would like to see photos.

Oh Heavens! My dream rifle!!!!!!!
Please post all photos you have.

I have a model 71 in 50 alaskan and I love it. Very nice work on that barrel!

I will get some in process pictures up on my website and posted here.

Nathaniel,
I designed a scope mount for the Model 71, which is in the Scout Format, that being with the scope directly over the barrel.
I will send you a picture.
I believe I still have the design drawings which I occasionally give to worthy individuals.
If your guy is interested, it would result in a few hours on the mill for you to fabricate from a billet of steel.

I could not find all of my pictures for this project which worries me, they must be on my camera still.



To cut this relief for the magazine tube end cap took a little work. Lever actions are not my personal specialty, but have always had a soft spot for them. So sometimes special tooling is required. In this instance I made a cutter to match the correct diameter of the end cap tab.

Modifying an endmill to my needs.


Setting up and indicating the barrel.


Everything LOOKS lined up.


If you have never cut a rotary dovetail, you may not appreciate the knowledge and skill a machinist had in the late 1800's and early 1900's. I do not have any CNC's, everything is done manually, and boy is it a hoot. As a boy I remember seeing things my grandfather made as a machinist and toolmaker and being astounded. Something as simple as these rotary dovetails always impress me.


Machining the relief for the magazine tube.



Machining the breech of the barrel.

I apologize for taking so long, those of you that asked to see some "in the making" shots.

Hope you enjoyed!

I'm really enjoying these! Thank you for taking the time to post.

Thanks for posting. Love the whole project. Looking forward to seeing more photos as the project is completed.

I can't imagine polishing that barrel.

Stupid question... what's a 450 Alaskan. My friend has one on a M-70 by (Jay ????) Fraser up there in Alaska. Elegant gun. It's about a seven lb. guide iron sight back-up rifle. No one's got enough money to get me to shoot that thing but it's lovely to look at.

.348 Win. necked up to .45