Proper!

I finally finished inletting this stock and was able get the bedding done last week. I’ll take it out to the range soon for some test firing.

That's going to turn into a "Fine" rifle!

Really like the grain in that stock. Subtle but nice! And I'll echo what James said, Roger really knows his wood. I have used two of his blanks in rifles Mr. Weibe built for me... both were excellent.

It's a joy to look upon your rifle. I see it's beauty.

I went out to the range over lunch and fired off 9 shots. Everything seems to be intact, but I’ll take the gun apart tonight and inspect everything. The gun still like the Barnes TSX load. This was the last three shot group at 50 yards with a scope.

Dang, I'm building a left hand .416 Ruger. using the exact same approach. Same leftover Safari express stock on a model 70. I will have an extra recoil lug added under the barrel and glass bedding the action. Let's hope I have better luck than yours.

quote:

Originally posted by Vol717:
Dang, I'm building a left hand .416 Ruger. using the exact same approach. Same leftover Safari express stock on a model 70. I will have an extra recoil lug added under the barrel and glass bedding the action. Let's hope I have better luck than yours.

Good luck with your build. I think the crack in my factory stock was due to the amount of material that had been inletted out by the factory around the bolt handle. There was definitely some flex in the stock in that area, and I’m not sure a barrel lug would have solved my problem.

PM sent

I’ve got about 4 coats of finish on. Now I’ll start sanding down and reapplying finish until the pores are filled. The pores on this stock aren’t too big, so I’m thinking another 8 or so coats with sanding in between. I’m using Minwax antique oil, which I read about on this forum. I used it on another project recently and was very happy with how the final finish came out.

Nice wood choice. You're well on your way to a nice custom rifle. Wouldn't change a thing except for maybe a straight bolt handle. But, that's just my preference.

I’ve completed the finishing process on the stock. I sent the metal off for bluing last week. While I wait on that, I’ll start working on the checkering over the next several weeks. I’m planning to do a pretty standard point pattern at 22 lines per inch.

Very very nice!

Very nice pore-fill & satin glow on the finish.

I’ve made a little progress on the checkering, but it is coming along pretty slowly.

Very nice.

Can't fault your skills in any way. Lovely checkering.

David,

Your buffalo will love being shot with such a beautiful rifle!!!!!!!!!

Mark

Finished up the checkering today. Now just waiting on bluing.

Very nice, I have enjoyed watching the progress on this build.

quote:

Originally posted by bghntr416:
Very nice, I have enjoyed watching the progress on this build.

Me too. Although walnut / blued rifles don't spin my wheels I can appreciate seeing the results of real talent in action. Tex84 has a gift for creating something that will assuredly catch the eye. I hope the final result will be properly used and not simply sit in darkness inside a gun safe.

This rifle is now complete. I got the metal back today from Matt Roberts at MNR Custom, and he did a great job on the rust bluing. I’ll try to get some better pictures uploaded soon.

Yessuh!

As a fellow lefty all I can say is thank you for sharing the gun porn. That turned out absolutely beautiful.

Here are some more pictures. To recap this build, this started out as a factory Model 70 in 7mm STW (which already has the extra long ejection port), and I had it rebarreled by Douglas with a 24 inch number 5 contour. After shaping the front banded ramp, I added the sights myself using Brownells Hi-Force 44 solder. I added a Williams bottom metal unit and also a Williams stainless extractor. I then used a cracked factory stock with lots of Bondo to make the pattern stock. I had Custom Stocks and Steel duplicate the pattern on a Roger Vardy “heavy” exhibition grade blank. I did all of the stock work myself and then sent the metal off to MNR Custom for rust bluing. I used a rear Talley swivel and barrel band, a Jerry Fisher large grip cap, and one inch medium red pachmayr pad. It weighs 9lbs, 5 oz without the scope.

Well done, a rifle to be proud of for sure, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for letting us come along for the ride. I enjoyed watching this one come together.

Can you tell me the length of the ejection port please ?

Congrats on the successful completion resulting in a beautiful rifle.

What kind of scope are you going to use?

quote:

Originally posted by 307RIFLE:
What kind of scope are you going to use?

Planning to keep it simple and use a VX-3 1.5-5x20mm.

quote:

Originally posted by 30.06king:
Can you tell me the length of the ejection port please ?

Congrats on the successful completion resulting in a beautiful rifle.

Thank you. The ejection port is 3.384 inches wide.

Really nice job there Tex. Checkering is excellent.