Howard's New Rifle - Headed to Africa

09 May 2002, 19:05

I thought you might like a look at Howard's new 7MM Remington Magnum. It started with an Agentine Action which Mark Stratton surface ground and installed some of his wonderful custom bases. The barrel was ultimately finished by Ray Price, a gem of a gunsmith, who unfortunately is battling Cancer at this time. The stock was done by me from a piece of California English Walnut. It has a skeleton grip cap and inletted swing swivel studs. Jack Belk did some feeding work on the action and contoured the bolt and did a wonderful job. In fact I need to get some shots of the details and add them here.

The rust bluing was done by Bill Soverns and he did an admirable job. The barrel evidently was giving him some fits so he enlisted Jim Dubell to work some magic of his own on it. Duplex bluing is going to be big, lol.

You might notice one important element missing in the photos. We told Howard he could have ammo or a firing system (aka trigger) but not both. He likes ammo. Go figure. It is just a safety feature for those of us who are going with him and this rifle to Africa.

Chic Worthing

[This message has been edited by Customstox (edited 05-09-2002).]

10 May 2002, 02:50

dan belisle

Nice looking rifle Chic. No trigger as a safety feature. Hmmm. I know a couple of gents that would work well for. LOL. - Dan

10 May 2002, 05:14

Skibum

Really nice work Chic. If Howard happens to get hit by a bus and you need someone to take it to Africa let me know.

Jeff

------------------
In the land of the blind, the man with one eye is king.

10 May 2002, 07:27

fla3006

Very nice work. I like seeing people's projects.

11 May 2002, 10:05

Major Caliber

It's real pretty, but a 1909 wouldn't be my choice for a 7mm Rem Mag.

13 May 2002, 09:16

Customstox

GSF, I will tell Howard. Likely he will want to scrap it.

13 May 2002, 04:47

Bill Leeper

Chic,
Just to help out I think I can probably find a Remington 700 to swap so Howard is not left without a rifle. This will of course be much more suitable for the Remington cartridge. Regards, Bill.

17 May 2002, 10:53

Major Caliber

quote:
Originally posted by Customstox:
GSF, I will tell Howard. Likely he will want to scrap it.

I'm sure you re-heat treated the action. Most 1909's have lug setback from 7.65 Mauser ammo. The 1909 is a lovely action, but most I've seen are too soft.

17 May 2002, 12:23

<JBelk>

GSF1200--

All DWM M98s made for the South American markets were case hardened inside only. The gunwriter that started that "too soft" crap about 1970 should have known what he was talking about before putting it in print.

It's very true that IF the lugs are set back it's harder to repair and you must re-case the inside of the receiver. To just "heat treat" a 1909 ruins it.

Howard's action is file hard (63Rc) in the lug recesses. Lug recesses were "set back" by .0003. They were lightly lapped to a third that. Bolt lugs are level to .0005. Headspace is .0005 over GO. Bolt face, inner ring, and receiver face are square to less than .001 with the bore.

The DWM 1909 Argentines are among the best Model 98s ever built. It's seldom to see one that needs a lot of work unless the lugs ARE set back.

17 May 2002, 14:59

Customstox

GSF,
The steel in the 1909's had very little carbon in them and as such, heat treating does virtually nothing. Heat treating redistributes the carbon molecules in the steel to create a homogeneous matrix. With low carbon content (akin to mild steel) there is no advantage.

Surface hardening does do some good in the bolt lug recesses and on the surfaces of the action.

Jack is very familiar with this action and has done some very nice work on it making it feed very nicely, adding some nice touches and doing a great job on the bolt knob, he also added a very nice checkerd panel on top of the bolt stop.

A few more pics.

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/Customstox2/HR-cu4.jpg

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/Customstox2/HR-cu5.jpg

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/Customstox2/HR-cu6.jpg

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/Customstox2/HR-cu7.jpg

Chic

[This message has been edited by Customstox (edited 05-17-2002).]