I bought this rifle a couple of years ago, a 7x57 built on a highly tweaked Swede action. The metal work was done by Jim Wisner so his one piece bottom metal (fully drilled to lighten it), front banded sight, banded swivel, quarter rib that extends to become the front ring base, two blade rear sight, G33/40 action cuts, three position safety with cock on opening conversion, an adjustable trigger and all nicely rust blued. In discussing the rifle with Jim he advised that he built it "many years ago" and he stocked it in the Mannlicher style in American black walnut. When I bought the rifle the stock had been replaced (serious bummer...) by one that Fred Speiser made and is so stamped in the barrel channel. The stock was a club, plump everywhere, and I could not see the iron sights. Given the fairly lean action and barrel I wanted the wood to match, hence a diet was called for. I discussed the project with Dean Zollinger and he advised to send it in, he knew what I was after. He also knew Fred`s work. I also wanted the wood to be a tad darker, the grip opened up some, a Fisher grip cap in lieu of the ebony one, the cheekpiece recut into the pancake style and the checkering cut finer in a multi-point pattern running over the top of grip. He removed 9 oz of wood including drilling the butt as I requested to get a little weight forward. I am more than pleased.

Before



After

Boxhead

You mentioned the bottom metal has been drilled to lighten it

Do you know how much was it lightened by ?

Would you mind posting another picture so the bottom metal ?

Thanks

I am also building a stutzen in 275 rigby with a 20 inch barrel

Wow... very nice contours in the reshaped stock!

Sweet

I was able to handle this stock and rifle through the entire make over process in Deans shop. He did an amazing job working it over and refining it into a very slim trim package. It really feel nice in the hands. Another reason why i am such a fan of Deans work.

The rifle looked really good before, but the remodel took it to the next level.

Other than the obvious "slimming" I really notice the improvement in the comb-nose. The toe line was/is not what I like, but the more open grip makes it less noticeable.

Beautiful rifle.

awesome!

quote:

Originally posted by londonhunter:
Boxhead

You mentioned the bottom metal has been drilled to lighten it

Do you know how much was it lightened by ?

Would you mind posting another picture so the bottom metal ?

Thanks

I am also building a stutzen in 275 rigby with a 20 inch barrel

I have no idea how much the drilling lightened the BM as it was drilled when I bought the rifle. I am back working in Kazakhstan so no access to the rifle for photos. I do know that Mr. Wisner made it and it is so stamped.

Thanks

Watch out

I am poaching just across the border from you...

Pretty durn nice rifle.