Because I have too many unfinished projects, I figured one more won't hurt. I have a nice Husqvarna 146 in 9.3x57 which is a LR FN action, that I'm thinking of putting into a full length stock. It is in nice condition without any extra holes but the original stock doesn't fit me very well so it doesn't get out much. I know I will want to shorten the barrel which is currently ~24". But what length? I know the current CZ550 has a 20.5 and they look OK but I handled a friend's Ruger 77 International .308 and that 18.5" barrel seemed very handy. I don't think the shorter barrel would give up enough velocity in a .366 bore to make a difference. I'm looking for guidance on aesthetics and handling. Other thoughts are a new bolt handle to clear a scope, custom/DIY front cap, and custom bases to accept Sako tapered rings and Sako 100/200 rear peep. The peep should live in the grip ( if it will fit) or behind the butt plate. Hopefully it will fit in the grip because I'd like to have a pad instead of a steel butt plate. Thoughts?

The early Mannlicher Shoenaur stutzen rifles from the first decade of the 20th century have about 18.5" barrels, I believe. They are iconic and sexy as hell! The Oberndorf Mauser Type M stutzen usually came with about a 20" barrel, and I like them about as well. Do you intend to use a steel cap at the end of the stock, like on Mannlicher Shoenauer and Oberndorf Mauser Type M stutzens? NECG sells MS style forend caps with both a.061" and .575" inside diameters. You might see if your barrel matches one of these diameters somewhere in the the stutzen length ballpark. Being a 9.3 barrel it might be too thick for even the 0.610" cap, but if one of those caps works, it sure beats having to make one. Anyone know if there is a supplier of MS style forend caps with more inside diameter options? Another option is to turn your barrel down to match one of the NECG caps. Good luck.!

https://newenglandcustomgun.co...e%20Cap#.WO79jevOerU

One of the best full stock rifles I have ever seen belongs to a good friend. It was done by Don Klien and has a 18-1/2" barrel. To my eye a lot of full stock guns have barrels that are too long and the proportion just doesn't look right.

I think 20" is the best balance between handiness and ballistics.

I have a Remington Mohawk with a 18.5" barrel in 308 and it gives up too much in fps and lots of barrel jump.

My 1903MS in 6.5.x54MS has a 18.5", but that's fine for that slow round.

I have a Mauser 98 in 8x57 with a 20" barrel that is perfect.

I used the larger of the two muzzle caps from NECG. For the front sling loop, I used a Ruger part. It was the largest I could find.

Might just have to split the difference and go 19.25".

How are these typically bedded? Full length of the barrel or floated with contact at the front? I can't imagine you could fully float that long skinny forend.

Everyone has different tastes when it comes to custom guns. To my eyes, a full length stock looks best with a barrel shorter than 20 inches. Somewhere around 18.5" to 19" looks good. At this length the rifle looks compact but proportional and handy as hell.

When the barrel is longer, say 22" or more, the forearm becomes really skinny at the tip. Then the whole thing looses that compact , proportional look.

Barrel contour is also a consideration. Because of the shorter length, a bit heavier contour in nice. It keeps the weight balanced and prevents the rifle from being butt heavy.

Check out some originals at a gunshow, and take some notes as to what measurements ect. you like best.

Wyatt

If you want to see an example of a very very finely crafted mannlicher style custom rifle go to Steven Dodd Hughes website and make your way to the photographs he has there of a custom 7 x 57 on a Mexican Mauser action that was stocked in the Mannlicher style by Maurice Ottmar. I doubt that you will ever see a nicer example, except maybe the G.33/40 that Duane Wiebe crafted for Forrest Bruch many years ago, and of which I don't seem to be able to find a photo of.

http://www.finegunmaking.com/page32/page2/page2.html

very nice!

18.5 to 20 inches and MM is a tad longer, that is historically correct, so to speak...I have a early Brno with a with a full rib, Manlicher with two piece forend..Probably 1942..Ive seen a few Manlichers at 23 and a fraction...but length of barrel isn't written in stone and can vary up to 22 inches or its equivalent in MMs..I like Manlicher rifles, they handle so nice, but you normally lose velocity with most powders, but with the right powder you won't lose any..I have found that in the 20 inch 7x57 and H414 I lost no velocity to speak of..IMR-4320 also holds velocity up in some calibers such as the 338-06..there may be other instances but I don't recall..

I have a Mauser with a 20" barrel. Seems to handle well and shoot well. I also have an oddball Steyr M95 that is a Mannlicher style. It has a 21" barrel.

My personal choice is 20 to 22 inches, below that your 30-06 becomes a 308, your 308 becomes a 300 Savage, your 300 Savage becomes a 30-30 very quickly..You don't normally lose a whole lot from the first 24 to 20 inches, the real losss becomes below the 20 inch factor in my experience with my chronograph..