I can't afford an expensive Rigby or another "custom" so.....

26 November 2015, 13:05

9,3x74R

OK, I admit it. I am a gun nut!
I have always preciated nice bolt rifles shotguns and double rifles, but the only bolt rifles I have owned so far have been customized factory rifles like my Ruger RSMs. I don't mean that my rifles haven't been good enough, but there has been something missing.
They all miss perfect fit and "soul"..

The easy way to get a nice rifle with "soul" would be to buy a nice hand made custom rifle from a good gunsmith or, if I were "loaded", order one from Rigby, WR or one of the other "well known" manufacturers.
Well, I'm not loaded, but would still like a nice rifle to carry in the bush. You know, "life is too short to hunt with an ugly rifle"

After years of thinking, wishing and more thinking I decided to do something about this, and since I can't afford an expensive custom rifle or a "best gun", my solution was to "build" one my self...

My choise of action for this build ended on the legendary Mauser 98 action ( Brno made 1932 small ring ), a Lothar Walter barrel in 9,3 chambered for the excellent and very versatile 9,3X62, a caliber with a longer history in Africa than the 375 H&H. I also bought a nice grade walnut blank and started the work.

This was never ment to be a post here, and i didnt take too many pictures during the progress of my work but I took a few to keep as memories. So- here is a few random pictures I managed to take during the last months.

26 November 2015, 13:52

bwanamrm

Nice. All you need is someone who can checker and you are there!

26 November 2015, 15:28

Norseman

Wow!

26 November 2015, 17:12

ColoradoMatt

That is sweet! Not many actions rarer than that one. Nice work!

26 November 2015, 17:47

Brandon.Gleason

Well this is certainly an inspiring post! Looks like you have a fine rifle to be proud of there. Certainly a nifty thing to be able to hand down to your children.

26 November 2015, 18:45

Biebs

Very nice, and the fact that you made it yourself will double your hunting pleasure!

26 November 2015, 22:45

GarBy

That, sir, is some very fine work. Your efforts have done you proud. Now go enjoy the fruits of your efforts!.

Gary

27 November 2015, 12:25

9,3x74R

Thank you for your kind words.

bwanamrm, I will do the checkering my self. But right now I just have to use the rifle a bit before the hunting season ends. Will get back later with a picture or two when the checkering is done.

29 November 2015, 17:33

Vol717

I like your gun a lot. When I saw the big scope I knew you must be in Europe. I have a similar rifle with a 30mm 1.2-6 Minox with illuminated reticle. It is light and I've never wanted more power. Most of the time the scope stays on 2.5X.

29 November 2015, 17:48

farbedo

Nice work. Something you should be quite proud of.

Jeremy

29 November 2015, 19:38

9,3x74R

Vol717, I have 2 scopes fitted to this rifle. The big european one as you can see in the pictures (ridiculously heavy and ruin the balance but great for hunting from a blind in low light conditions for leopard etc) and a Leupold 1,5-5.

I normally use my rifles without a scope though. With a good peep sight or just normal open iron sights.

It should be interesting to try a «Docktorsight» though. You know those small «holosights».

29 November 2015, 20:24

MJines

Very nice, well done. Sometime if you do not mind snap a couple pictures of the rear sight set up, I would like to see exactly how that was done, works, etc. While it sits high, it looks very interesting.

29 November 2015, 23:21

xausa

The proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof, and you seem to have cooked one fine pudding.

30 November 2015, 07:03

montea6b

Beautiful rifle. I thought you had gone too shiny with the stock finish, but the last photo looks just right.

30 November 2015, 07:18

Savage_99

30 November 2015, 14:15

9,3x74R

MJines

This is the peep sight I use today. I did open the hole after I took this picture though. It fits in the back base and can easily be taken off.

http://www.kammeret.no/bilder/...MG_1445937253950.jpg
I will mount this peep in the near future. I’d like a peep sight that is mounted permanent on the rifle. It is a small job to fit it into that back base.

30 November 2015, 18:46

MJines

Thanks for the pictures. I like the peep concept in the last three pictures. Lower to me seems better than higher (although I like the "wings" that protect the peep on the higher sight).

02 December 2015, 22:09

9,3x74R

MJINES.
for comparison

03 December 2015, 18:41

MJines

Thanks again for the pictures. Seems like if there was a way to "meld" both concepts into a single peep that would be ideal. I like the stout look and feel of the peep on the right but the lower position of the peep on the left. Let me ask, is shooting with the peep on the right awkward in terms of how you have to hold your cheek on the butt stock? Looks like it would require a fairly high comb to be comfortable.

04 December 2015, 06:20

LRx

Very nice!

12 December 2015, 16:47

9,3x74R

Gentlemen.
Finally my 9,3 project is finished.
Thank you for your support during the building process.
If I don't respond, I'm gone hunting....
Merry Christmas and God bless...

12 December 2015, 22:41

458Win

Hope you have a great hunting season and thanks for sharing your project.
I used the same Redfield "little Bo Peep" set up on my 458 for a number of years until the front bases and rings began to wear. I then removed the peep and installed it on a steel Weaver cross slot base and have been much happier with the removability and repeatability of the scope.

26 December 2015, 00:56

Atkinson

I have a number of those little bo peep attachments around here somewhere, about a dozen or less...I sorta like them..I been going to add some to my Savage 99s...but never got around to it....

28 February 2016, 04:20

9,3x74R

A small update.

I was kinda bored a few days ago and felt like doing something new.
This ended in making new leather recoil pads for a couple of my rifles. I have made the stocks so I just had to make the pads too.
They might not be or look perfect but I think they feel and look better than any rubber pads. Will finish them both shortly.

My double is up next.

28 February 2016, 18:31

Biebs

quote:
I then removed the peep and installed it on a steel Weaver cross slot base and have been much happier with the removability and repeatability of the scope.

Phil, I see you have some new colors of Rustoleum! :-)

28 February 2016, 21:38

Wes62

I've done some looking and can't seem to find out where to locate some of these little bo peep peep site attachments. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? Thanks!

06 March 2016, 01:44

xausa

Buehler used to make a "Little Blue Peep" peep sight attachment, which fit Buehler and Redfield scope bases. They sometimes crop up on eBay. I have one kicking around some place.

24 March 2016, 22:43

Atkinson

I have a number of them. Don't even know where they came from..I don't think they are made anymore. I have them on some Savage 99 with old Redfield single screw solid rings. Looks real neat. Screwed down tight with some lock tite or even glass. Once sighted in they hold a zero perfectly, A neat little set up for back up irons.

Probably better is Talley QD rings combined with that slide on QD Talley peep. I carry the peep in my pocket or on my cargtridge belt, whatever.