I'm about to embark upon a Mannlicher stocked Mauser project and need help/ideas on the forend tip. I've seen plenty with the traditional metal cap but have also seen some with a shaped, presumably, ebony tip.

Any pics on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

I'm thinking of running the traditional swivel loop through a barrel band or similar fitting to secure it. Any hints on this too?

Thanks.

That’s about the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard of!

Another option for the forend tip would be horn.

Holler at me if you need a little piece of ebony.

IMO this metal tip from Remington's custom shop is the way it needs to look.

I have a small metal end cap that is built for a muzzle diameter of 0.55" and has a small point to the rear that matches the Dakota skelton grip cap "pointy" design. It is very similar to the one that VD just posted with the pointy part on the bottom. If a person had some machinery skill, it should not be that difficult. So say I, with the machinery skills of an overripe pumpkin.

I will post a photo of it when I return. I am on my way to Dressels in Yakima to do some serious wood drooling.

BTW, don't let that asshole Rick, treat you like that.

Go with a metal end cap. Even if you baby the rifle, a wood or ebony tip is going to get seriously scuffed and dinged over time.

The stock fore-end is very thin and the sling swivel needs added support. My favorite full-stocked rifle has a hanger soldered to the barrel and the swivel stud rides on this hanger. The stud is able to move very minor amounts along the hanger as the wood shifts. Looking at the stud with the stock on the rifle, you can't see anything except a very normal looking inletted sling swivel. It's a neat set up.

If you twist my arm, I'll post the picture again.

Glad to hear you're finally getting around to this, Z-

One of my favorites was a G&H that was recently on their site. A 20" barrel, with two (delicate) schnabels.

Somebody must have liked it, as it sold.

I like the idea of a small schnabel at the end. Just perhaps the implication of a schanbel.

I think the accuracy--in the target shooting sense--is probably compromised by hanging a metal nosecap on the end.

Wood warpage has always been a consideration, and the old timers went so far as to scarf join another piece of wood to the forend.

I suspect (hope?) that with a nice quartersawn blank, warpage could be limited to the vertical axis, and the barrel floated.

I've gone so far as to consider using one of the Lothar Walther Article #720s, and just cutting the muzzle down from 23.6" to 20" or less. This would leave a pretty heavy muzzle, which might not be a bad thing.

Good luck with this project, Z.

I know one of your first projects was a full stocked rifle, and she was a beauty. IIRC.

flaco

quote:

Originally posted by Customstox

I will post a photo of it when I return. I am on my way to Dressels in Yakima to do some serious wood drooling.

BTW, don't let that asshole Rick, treat you like that.

Yeah, yeah...I’m calling Sharon right now and telling her to not answer the door when you show up!

I told z1r that as soon as I posted that he would start getting responses.

Thanks all.

Chic, I look forward to seeing that cap. Sounds awful nice.

z1r

My Brother has not had a problem with his with no cap of any kind for over two years so I guess it probably won't move now. He had thought of trying the very thing you mentioned with a band but has found he doesn't need one.



My rifle is not quite completed yet but is coming along. I opted for the traditional metal cap on mine. When finished it will no doubt be a one of a kind, but I kinda like it.

Personally, I really like the one without the cap...but then, I’m a simple kinda guy that likes the beauty of a simple design. Good looking rifles, both of them.

Idared,

Both good looking rifles, thanks!

That bottom one is the one you used the Fajen classic as a basis for isn't it? I've got a couple of those lying around. Looks like a good use for one of them. I like the top one but would like it more if it had the contrast that a cap or dark tip would provide. Some one recently posted a pic of a full stocked rifle much like that one but with a dark to with slight schnable effect to it. It looked really good.

I'm inclined to perhaps try the tip idea and if I hate it, simply alter it to accept a metal cap.

Thanks for the insights all!

Another variation on the full stock theme that I really like is one without a pistol grip. I've seen a couple and they were really cool! I wish I would have saved the pics.

zlr, here are those photos. The front of the cap is angle about 10 degrees back from normal. It will have to slide on the barrel and onto the inletting in the wood to assemble it as the barrel band part goes beyond half way.

I built a german style rifle once after Maurice Ottmar gave me the bottom metal. I referred to the bottom metal as my 55 Chevy hubcap that I built a car around. I am going to embark on a similar journey with this fore end cap that I also got from Maurice. I have a 1910 Mexican that I think I will do in 250-3000, with open sights and a scope. The grip cap will fit nicely in the scheme of the end cap.

Wow Chic! Now I have to learn to machine myself one. Blast you Red Barron, that means work! Seriously, thanks for those pics. I really like the style.

I may go the simple route on this one as the stick of wood is nothing special and the style will be fine for my intended purpose but I have stock pattern in mind that the cap would look much better on. This project will be open sights only.

A Mexican in 250-3000 would be really nice. Can't wait to see the pics. I have three 1910 action that will someday be built into triplets for me and my sons.

quote:

Originally posted by Idared:




My rifle is not quite completed yet but is coming along. I opted for the traditional metal cap on mine. When finished it will no doubt be a one of a kind, but I kinda like it.

Idared. Realy like seenin those pic of those stocks. Just like what you or your bro did with the grips especialy the bottom pic, and the butt lines.
Wish I could have got that midway euro stock you or grandview just sold. Looked like a good base for a pattern

zlr, if you need it in hand to measure it, I can send it down to you.

Thanks for the kind words about my rifle. I hope to get it blued in the near future and then have it checkered. Yes, that stock started out as one of those from Midway. I like the way it looks and feels and there is even a little cast-off built in them. It is a pity that they don't still offer them.

I have another rifle in the works that will use the same pattern except it is not going to be a mannlicher style. It will also have a Springfield trigger guard like the 6.5X55 installed on an Oberndorf 98 and chambered in 9X57 Mauser. Here is a rough view of what I have accomplished so far. It will no doubt be at least a year before this one will be anywhere near as finished as the 6.5 is now.

Chic, That is a real sweet looking end cap. That will be one classy 250-3000 when complete.

z1r, that triplet idea with the Mexicans sounds like a sweet little project. Hope you and your boys get to make lots of memories with them someday.

Idared, That 9X57 looks like it is turning out very well. Both mannlichers, yours and your brothers, are very nice as well. Congrats.

Idared

What is the name of that style grip on Grandview's rifle.

Chic,

Thanks a million. Iwill gladly take you up on your generous offer. I'll PM you.

54Jnoll, yeah, I hope we make lots of great memories. My oldest just turned four and he is already asking me to take him bear hunting. He came up to me one day and said, Daddy, if I'm good and I practice can we go bear hunting?" I nearly cried, lol. Then he said, we can start by praticing of deer & squirel. Am I the luckiest man ever or what? I am still waffling between 6.5x55 or 7x57. I am only building them one really nice rifle and it is to be their all arounder.

I get the inspiration for these projects from this forum. From all the wonderful folks that post pics of their toys or fruits of their labors, thanks all!

z1r,

Yes you truely are a blessed man. Congrats.

I have two boys myself ages 6 and 3. I keep wafling between 257 Roberts, 6.5X55 and 7X57, so I am no help. LOL. My oldest is going to be right handed and my youngest is going to be a lefty. We will not have matching guns but we will have some nice ones.

As to inspiration ... I agree this is a wounderful site to lead one down the dark path. He He.

54Jnoll,

I too started with the .257 Bob in mind but thought that the others might be more versatile. You know, my oldest writes left and but does everything else right handed. I'm not sure yet if he'll turn out a lefty or righty. I need to check and see which eye is dominant. Hmm, this could complicate things.

Keep us appraised of what you build your boys.

My youngest is definately going to be a lefty. He sword fights lefty, eats lefty, looks though microscopes lefty, shoots toy pistols and rifles lefty and is definately left eye dominent. If he was right eye dominent I would teach him to shoot righty but he will definately be a lefty. Might have to make them a pair of Montana 99's.

zlr, I am a rabid 257 AND 7X57 fan and have 3 of each. I took a 7X57 to Africa and took almost all of my animals with it including a Kudu and my daughter shot a zebra with it. If you are looking for a low recoil gun, I would use it. I would have no qualms about using it on elk. The loading books have wimpy loads because of the 96 mausers that are chambered in it. If you load it up in a Mauser 98 it is more like a .280 Remington (another favorite of mine).

Remember your girls can like to hunt also. Have to brag a bit on my daughter who is in the following photos. I don't know if any of you shoot skeet but if you do, you will appreciate it more. I took Autumn out last summer to try skeet for the first time. She has shot some of my shotguns before but does not like the recoil so I asked her if she wanted to shoot my 20 ga O/U with a set of Briley fitted .410 tubes. It allows me to shoot the .410 in a 20 gauge. We started off at Station 7 low house as it is the easiest target on the field. She smoked the first 5. Then we started on high house from station 7 and she missed 5 and was getting very frustrated. She almost wanted to quit and I talked her into trying the adjacent stations, 6, 5 and 4. At 6 we only shot the incoming high house as it gives you plent of time and the low house is a troubling shot for many. She again smoked all 5, the lead there is around 2 feet. We then moved to station 5 where she again broke 5 shooting at the high house (approx 3 1/2 foot lead). Then she did the same at station 4 high house. 20 out of 25 and the only easy ones were the first 5 at low 7. The breaks she made were not chippy shots but the ones you see when the clay is centered Okay bragging mode off.

Here are some photos of the animals that fell to the 7X57 and the rifle, a BRNO 22 in 7X57 with double set triggers.




this is an Nyala (in-yawla) and it one of the most dramatic and beautiful animals I saw while there.

customstox

I'm with you, the 7x57 is my everyday big game rifle. With my good handloads it is a .280 in a long throated rifle. Mine flattened gemsbuck, kudu, actually couldn't tell it didn't work as well as my .375 till I had to shoot a running hartebeest from quartering behind at 150 yards. I was glad I had the .375 then as I had to shoot from in front of his right hip to break the left shoulder. The best advertisement for the 7x57 is that my son who is 18 now, a hunter but not a real rifle nut, cares and knows nothing about ballistics and has a safe full of rifles and some standing in most corners at his disposal always grabs my beat up Ruger 7x57 to hunt with. Kills game, little recoil what more can you ask for?