Hopefully will get to being a .375 Flanged within the next 6 months. Prolly be twice that though. Then I'll have to worry about figuring out how to stock it. Parts will be soon ready to go to Doug Turnbull for a bit of color.

Mine just needs regulation....its been that way for 3 years...too many other projects in the works it seems. I hear Len might teach a class next summer, maybe mine will get done after all.
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by skb:
Mine just needs regulation....its been that way for 3 years...too many other projects in the works it seems. I hear Len might teach a class next summer, maybe mine will get done after all.
Steve

What decisions did you come to on furniture/stocking? I've got plenty of time to worry about it but just curious.

Classic English styling of course!

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Brooks:
Classic English styling of course!

Well of course, but there are a range of possibilities for that...Guess I'm going to have to keep the Westley Richards picture books in the bookshelf in the small room while I contemplate my thoughts on this.

Did any of you guys keep track of how many
hours you put into the action to get it
finished, or close to it? I have one of their
97's still in the box. I take it out and look
at it every 6 months or so and just put it
away again, but I'm running out of projects.
So I might just attempt it.
Thanks
Raff

quote:

Originally posted by 2triggers:
Did any of you guys keep track of how many
hours you put into the action to get it
finished, or close to it? I have one of their
97's still in the box. I take it out and look
at it every 6 months or so and just put it
away again, but I'm running out of projects.
So I might just attempt it.
Thanks
Raff

Leonard, one of the proprietors and former TSJC gunsmithing instructor, can build one in 80 hours (with hand tools knowing him), he's the fellow that taught me bench metal. I'm guessing I'll have 2-300 hours in mine not counting the stocking which is a whole different can of worms. If Gordon ends up getting semi-inlets made up, which he's threatening for them, I very well may go that route. I've done 2 stocks of this sort from bare chunks of wood and I'm not a very good woodworm and it took me forever to finish them.

Current plan is to have the metalwork done just in time for me to have enough money to give Turnbull a pile of money to color-case the lot.

Tom
I'm guessing he's asking about finishing time for the casting kit. Not the from scratch version like you did with LJBull???? I've got a casting kit and haven't spent any time fitting parts. Too many other projects. I think Leonard told me that he could get a casting kit fit and working in around 40 hours or so. If I ever finish mine and stock it I'll have a pattern for it and can run them here on my duplicator. It will have plenty of drop for open sights only.

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:
If I ever finish mine and stock it I'll have a pattern for it and can run them here on my duplicator. It will have plenty of drop for open sights only.

Sounds a plan. I'm building this in .375 H&H Flanged so the only proper thing to do with it will be to put express sights.

Mine came as a kit (I was at Trinidad eons ago but still speak with Leonard on occasion). I'm just being super fiddly with everything.

Somebody with decent shop experience should be able to crank out an action in 80-100 hours from the kit, I'd think if they aren't obsessive compulsive/anal like I am.

Thanks for the advise on hours. I think this
can just stay in the box a bit longer. I
don't think I'm gonna find 500 hours spare
anytime in the next decade.
Raff

quote:

Originally posted by 2triggers:
Thanks for the advise on hours. I think this
can just stay in the box a bit longer. I
don't think I'm gonna find 500 hours spare
anytime in the next decade.
Raff

Being a perfectionist is a bitch, isn't it?
If you decide you aren't ever going to do it, I might buy the kit off of you if you like. I'm sure I'll want to build another in .300 Rook.

tom

Ok, you guys are reminding my why I should finish mine. I bet I could have the action off for some scratching and a chambered barrel in less than 25 more hours....I'm slacking bad. I have a .303 barrel by Krieger, also considered .30 super flanged and .375 flanged, we will see. I'll most likely put the gun up for sale in the end. As to stock options, I'll do it from a blank and closely follow one of my originals. Maybe my Gibbs as it has a great feel to it. Heres a link to what mine looks like so far.
Steve
http://bertramandco.com/services.html

tom; I'm not sure about the perfectionist
part, but I never seem to get anything done
quickly. Keeping the action kit for now, but
thanks
Raff

Have an original 1897, tang safety auto ejector, made as a .303 now barreled to .30-40 by Jack Haugh, he engraved action, made a fatter forend and a quarter rib with G&H top QD mounted Alaskan, kept the Brit buttstock. A very elegant rifle and IMO the action is much nicer than a Farquharson.

quote:

Originally posted by vigillinus:
Have an original 1897, tang safety auto ejector, made as a .303 now barreled to .30-40 by Jack Haugh, he engraved action, made a fatter forend and a quarter rib with G&H top QD mounted Alaskan, kept the Brit buttstock. A very elegant rifle and IMO the action is much nicer than a Farquharson.

Spoke with Leonard recently and he suggested that it would not be that much harder to make an 1897 in .375 Flanged with selective ejector if you want to talk about insomniacs and drafting tables this evening (still not good at drawing on computers).

quote:

Originally posted by vigillinus:
Have an original 1897, tang safety auto ejector, made as a .303 now barreled to .30-40 by Jack Haugh, he engraved action, made a fatter forend and a quarter rib with G&H top QD mounted Alaskan, kept the Brit buttstock. A very elegant rifle and IMO the action is much nicer than a Farquharson.

PICS man! PICS!!! please don't just tease us with this little tidbit of info. Do you have any pics of the ejector mechanism? As far as I know, that is a pretty rare bird

My westley .256 has an ejector too, not that big of a deal in my opinion. When I took the class from Len we made the springs for the kits and one for the ejector too. Len didnt seem to impressed as I recall.
Steve

I don't really want an ejector on a single shot, but I never get tired of looking at British single shots, plus the pics of the ejector system intrest the engineer side of me.

So stop teasing and start posting!

More of a "kicking extractor" than an "ejector". Have no plan to take rifle apart and I am utterly incompetent as a photographer. Sorry.

quote:

Originally posted by skb:
My westley .256 has an ejector too, not that big of a deal in my opinion. When I took the class from Len we made the springs for the kits and one for the ejector too. Len didnt seem to impressed as I recall.
Steve

A selective ejector/extractor would be impressive, like a H&H double gun flip a switch and it does one or the other. Simple ejector isn't very interesting. Selective would be an interesting addition to the project. On the same note, it's pretty hard to impress Leonard with anything as he's seen and done it all.

One of these rifles, a takedown .318, is up for auction in London December 13 at Holt's:

http://213.219.62.57/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=1015...o=+++13796&saletype=

takedown has two lugs at breech like a Mauser bolt.

quote:

Originally posted by vigillinus:
One of these rifles, a takedown .318, is up for auction in London December 13 at Holt's:

http://213.219.62.57/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=1015...o=+++13796&saletype=

takedown has two lugs at breech like a Mauser bolt.

Thank you! Almost wife might end up mad at you, though.

Has extractor for rimless, no idea if it ejects.

quote:

Originally posted by vigillinus:
Has extractor for rimless, no idea if it ejects.

I've got an idea I'm going to bid on it. Thanks.

Good luck and et us know what happens - be aware that you will be hit with a 20% commission, 17.5% VAT (which I believe is refundable), shipping to the US, 2.6% (I think) import duty, and charges from any customs broker or importer you may employ if you do not import it yourself, which you can only do if you have an FFL. Then you need an import permit from ATF or the State Department, I forget which, takes I am told up to a month to get. PITA. Also I suspect the estimate is low.

Even with those things added, it is a smoking deal if it sells for anything near their expected range. I actually looked to see if there was any way I could swing coming up with soem cash so I could bid on it. Alas, I found no magical way to create extra funds.

Good luck Tom! If you win it, please post a lot of pics here so we can enjoy with you!!!