I think some may have taken my post too seriously; it was supposed to be humour. Unless of course you know an influential Afghan narco-djihadist in which case please contact me. But seriously, the whole point of the project is to generate money for an education fund, not make a nice rifle available to people at low cost. I am willing to bet that Forrest is pretty good at arithmetic. There is even a rumour that he has taken private lessons in putting numbers in Excel worksheets, sometimes making use of fractions and percentages for the really complicated problems. In Forrest I Trust.

Ready for a little update on the accounting?

Direct Cash Donations Total $4,845.00

Auction/Classified Proceeds Total $2,070.00

Parts Donations Total $3,590.00

Grand Total to Date $10,505.00

This does not include the value of donated time and labor by our craftsmen, all of whom are working for token wages at best.

There remain pledges of about $1200 that will be paid when we start writing checks to our craftsmen.

All told, we'll easily exceed $15,000 in donations for our project. Give yourselves a BIG pat on the back.

Now if we can just get our receiver back from heat-treating, we can start making progress again!

I'm going to try my best to get this project back on schedule. Even though I don't have the action, I've started the 1/2-round octagon yesterday. I should come out of the milling machine sometime today. When the action arrives, It won't take as long to thread, fit and chamber the barrel. I do want to wait on the quarter rib; I want to see the theme of the action so perhaps I can carry its design into the rib. Once the action hits my door step, I hope to have part finished in 2 or 3 weeks.

I know that when I excepted this project I was going to take digital photos of the project's progress. I'm sorry I forgot to take a photo during the turning operation on the lathe. But here is a photo of the first flat being cut on the mill. The barrel is held between centers and I create a taper by adjusting the tail stock (not pictured). The cutter is a 3-inch shell mill.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=436291&c=500&z=1"] [/url]

Next photo, this photo shows a 4 flute roughing cutter removing material. I place the 3-inch shell mill back in the spindle for the final cutter pass.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=436377&c=557&z=1"] [/url]

This photo shows the radius at the end of the octagon flats. Starting at the muzzle, the barrel tapers to the breech. At the area where I want the barrels taper to stop and the octagon to start, I turn the barrels taper, a large radius with a fixture. The barrel now has a reverse blunder bust feature. When the octagon flat plays out into this area, at the end of the flat a radius will form. This photo shows that radius.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=436495&c=557&z=1"] [/url]

Looks great! Does mine look the same?
Butch

Here is the 1/2 round as it came from the milling machine. It still needs to be draw filed and polished. I think the next operation will to be turning the cylinder section of the barrel. A G33/40 is a small ring Mauser with a front ring diameter of 1.300. Tom, more than likely surface ground the receiver so it might be a little less. After turning I will make a casting in JB Weld for my quarter rib mating fixture. That will be the next photo.

And yes Butch, your barrel could lok just like this on, if that what you want. Your barrel came in last week from Shilen.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=436824&c=557&z=1"] [/url]

I think it is going to look good on my Mexican.
Butch

Very nice Mark. That is a beautiful barrel you're making. It's good to know someone is doing a little work on our project.

Chiron Walnut (www.hunterbid.com) has given us a beautiful Turkish walnut rifle blank to be be auctioned. This auction will run just as our previous auctions. We've been fortunate to raise a great sum of money this way, so let's get it going with this latest auction.

See the blank and place your bid here:

Chiron Rifle Blank Auction

The Chiron rifle blank auction was a huge success for the Searcy Memorial Scholarship Fund, netting a wonderful $850 payday for our project. Many thanks to Murat, our donor, and dougaboy, our winning bidder.

The generosity of the wood dealers who've supported our efforts is really amazing. We're fortunate to have so many people willing to help out our good cause.

Please remember our generous donors when you're shopping for a stock blank.

www.hunterbid.com
www.denli-gunstocks.com
www.luxusgunstock.com

Here is the quarter rib mold being made in the milling fixture. I will let it set for a few days and let it harden up so I can run a stylus down it to machine the mating surfaces. The molding material is JB Weld available at most hardware stores.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=438514&c=557&z=1"] [/url]

Allright folks, I have been sitting back and watching now I guess I will jump in. I may be putting the cart before the horse but what do we want to do about a nice case for this rifle? Do we want hard or soft or both? I will pony up on this one. If we decide on making a soft case what kind of leather? I will add that I have a lot of different hide that can probably be used buff, giraffe (lots,LOL) etc. Would we want a hard case with cleaning tools etc? That would be my vote. Let me know. If we want both I may have to ask for help but we will cross that bridge if we come to it. Whatever we decide on it should have as much class as the gun it holds if that is possible. My point being simply you dont put a work of art in a kmart special.
Mike

Mike, you're now officially in charge of finding a guncase or cases for the rifle. You might want to start with Americase and Murray Leather to see what they'll do for us. We'll give them prominent billing for their donation and we're in a position to pay for part of the cost if need be. I'll be out of town for a week, but that should give you plenty of time to get this all worked out. Anyone else here who has some contacts or ideas for a high-quality case befitting our rifle get in contact with Mike and lend a hand.

Thanks for offering to help us out, anything you come up with will be perfect I'm certain.
Forrest

Consider it done. Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated.

Raffle, raffle, or raffle--makes no difference to me. $50 a ticket would be even better.

A great suggestion. He was on my list of places to check out but just got moved up. Might be a bit pricey for what we want though. Will have to see what happens. This is exactly what I had in mind originally and still may do. However I am also thinking maybe something more along the custom americase case lines makes more sense. Not because it is less money, but because of all the shows this rifle will have to make. I imagine the leather case can only take so much abuse from the airlines no matter how it is packed.
Thoughts or feedbacck aprreciated gents.
I am still playing the what if game.
Seriously I want some input before I start making phone calls Monday. I would really prefer not to make a unilateral decision but if I dont get any feed back as to what the group thinks and someone makes us a good offer I will not hesitate to do so.

Just a quick update on my end. Im working on several options for the case. Everyone is being very positive. I talked to Dick Murray today. Murray leather has always had a quality product as many of you know and Dick is an all around good guy. I am sorry to report unknown to me that Dick had been hospitalized awhile back. He is fine now but is trying to take care of his commitments already on the books. As such, he is unable to help us with a case in the needed time frame. However, he is going to send us one of his slings.
Thanks Dick!
I should have more information on cases in the next couple of days. It will probably be next week before I have it all so I will more than likely present it to Forrest and you all can decide from there.
Mike

There is a guy in France who makes high end gun cases. But of course there are several who do that in Europe so it's probably not a cost effective or rapid option if you want a "French fit" case. Here's a link anyway:

http://www.alexandremareuil.com/chasse.htm

It's time for some more construction details. I've found time to start on the quarter rib. I machining the mating surface between the barrel and future rib. This is an interesting fixture, it turns your bridgeport type milling maching into a tracer. I have taken an impression of the barrel and using it to machine the mating surface on the rib blank. When I get the action, I can design the top side of the rib to match the scope mounts and its other features. Here are 3 photos that might help you understand the process.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=442988&c=500&z=1"] [/url]

Here's the same fixture from a different angle.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=442991&c=500&z=1"] [/url]

Hell Mark even with the photos I cant understand the process except to go uhhuh. I am no machinist. Actually I get the basic concept but forget the process. I am as mechanically inclined as one of those baboons we all love to shoot!
Anyway it sounds like things are coming along great on your end and for what it is worth I just want to say thanks for all you are doing. It is great to see photos of the process with some explanation as well. Especially for those of us who are technically challenged. It really does help explain the process.
Mike

Here's the rib as it came off the machine. There's a small amount of hand fitting to be done to fit rib into place. The rib is 12L14 steel. Leaded steel machines very nicely and it's soft enough to hand scrape it like a piece of wood.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=443015&c=500&z=1"] [/url]

I will need to cut the rib to length and do the cosmetic machining, cut the dovetail for the express sight. I'm also going to screw this rib into place. I will place the screw heads under the express sight, with one near the breech end of the rib. The screw slots will run north and south. I just need to see what has been done on the action and try to match the over all design. I guess I can plug my book now, if your interested in any of these tools or fixtures, there are detailed drawing in my book.

Mark, the barrel is looking beautiful. I spoke with Tom Burgess this afternoon and he told me that he will be shipping the action to you on Monday. We've been waiting a long time to get the barrel and action together; I can't wait to see it.

Hey Mark, I love the pictures! If you can shoot more during "cosmetic" side of the rib, please do.

Thanks,
Terry

Hey Terry,

No problem, I will take photos of the setups and cutting tools as I go.

Oh, bye the way, I've stopped taking in work. I'm up to my ears and just want to get some of it out the door. I don't want the back log to get any longer.

Mr. Stratton

I am thinking that G.33/40 should just about be at your place by now. How does it look?

Well 22WRF,

The action hasn't come in yet today. I have the 1/2 round ready to thread and chamber when it comes in. The quarter rib has almost been fitted to the barrel, I need to see the design of the scope mounts and the actions other features to design the cosmetic outward appearance. The express sight and front band have arrived and ready to install. All I need is an action.

Any update, Mr. Stratton?

The package has arrived. As soon as I can, I will put together the action and get some photos posted. Perhaps tonight... Stay tuned...

My apologies for posting on this so late but I am new to this site. What you all are doing is a wonderful way to remember someone who meant so much to you and Mr Searcy. My most sincere condolences to you and your family Mr Searcy for the loss of your beautiful wife, her void will be very hard to fill. I'm not a rich man but if there is anything I can donate or help with I am certainly happy to do so. To bad there aren't more people in this world like you all.

quote:

Originally posted by M70Nut:
My apologies for posting on this so late but I am new to this site. What you all are doing is a wonderful way to remember someone who meant so much to you and Mr Searcy....Too bad there aren't more people in this world like you all.

It looks to me like there is one more now. Thank you for the kind sentiment and condolences; they are appreciated. Your offer to help with this project is also appreciated and accepted! I'm sure ForrestB will fill you in on how you can be a part. Welcome to AR!
Glen Searcy

Acti0n Photos, I will begin the barreling and chambering process on Saturday.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=446754&c=557&z=1"] [/url]

Photo 2

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=446755&c=557&z=1"] [/url]

Photo-3

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=446758&c=557&z=1"] [/url]

Photo 4

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=446759&c=557&z=1"] [/url]

Firearm porn!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking fantastic!!!!!

Just curious as to the purpose of the groves machined in each side of the action.