I know of an old Husqvarna 640 (built on a FN-action) in 9,3x62. I have only seen pictures of it, but it is in very good condition and the receiver is undrilled. I think it is from the 50's.
I have decided to buy it and wonder what to improove on it. I would really appreciate your opinions on;

1.Trigger

2.Safety (model 70 or 1/4)

3.Scope mounting

You might want to install an adjustable trigger, replace the stock if it is one of those beechwood stocks, but don't rebarrel or tap the receiver. 9.3x62's are scarce and a desirable chamber, and don't butcher the beautiful action by drilling it. If you must have a scope, find another FN that's already tapped.

Once you have the rifle in your hands it will be easier to know what to do. The old (1949) FN sporter that I have here has a Mauser type trigger but it's single stage. After trying two Timneys on it that would not fit it occured to me that the 3.75 lb pull was ideal as is! So cross that bridge later.

I don't like the safeties on Mausers at all. It's a major failing. Now somebody else might be satisfied. If I was going to really take this FN beyond the range or summer walk for varmints then the safety would have to be upgraded. The best would be just right in that case.

If the front receiver ring has a crest on it then try to find a long mount base that will span it. If such a base is not standard then a "gunsmith" blank might be long enough or else have one made up. The crest on mine not only has two holes in it but they are not a good job either. However the bases cover the mess and the crest shows on the sides.

I would scope it somehow. Find a way.

So we are saying here that mausers should not be drilled and tapped for scope mounts ??

Does this also apply to a 1909 Argentine ??

If it was mine, It'd see a new barrel in .338-06, a timney trigger, a fancy walnut stock, a decelerator pad, a M-70 style safety alteration, a drill and taP FOR LEUPOLD MOUNTS AND A 3x9 COMPACT MOUNTED, BEAD BLASTED AFTER A HIGH POLISH AND BLUED VERY DEEP AND BLACK-BLUE.

18 line checkering with fluer-de-lise pattern and It'd become my finest plains game rifle for Gemsbok to eland to Zebra.........

However, that's what pre-64 M-70s are made for!!

I think that generally folks shy away from open sights to quickly thesedays. Unless your eyes are bad, they are all you need from a 9.3X62 and they actually do have their upside, not the least of which is extreme ruggedness and reliability.

Its funny to me that the very critics who complain about the way the human eye works and how hard it is to use iorn sights, probably have a so called fast focus eyepiece on all their variable power scopes. Plenty time to fiddle with those things, but getting lined up with a set of iorns, what a chore!!

Im guilty of scoping a couple millsurp actions myself, but stuff like undrilled FN actions and Springfields are getting harder to come by all the time. My 8X57 is scoped now, (lots of Yugos around) but I will be adding some good open sights to go with the qd rings, which WILL get used.

Id see how it shoots and take it from there. The first thing I would want to know about is the condition of the bore.

While you guys are drillin' holes in them, I keep lookin' for someone to weld them up!

Is the 640 clipslotted and has the thumbcut?

I might flip for one of the Bolt Peeps and a patridge front sight to keep that ring pristine...

I need more welding lessons and a mortgage loan for a TIG...

Kalle Stolt--

Those are nothing but military M-1924 FN actions that have been extremely well ground (that's the earliest surface ground action I've ever seen) and polished and rust blued. The open sights are a natural joy and the stock is even better.

If you want just an action I'll trade you a very nice 1909 Argentine for it just so you won't tear up a very nice rifle.

There are plenty of used FNs around that are already drilled that can be had at fairly low prices ($200-$350) that are more suitable for custom rifles. Original, undrilled, crested commercial FNs in very good or better condition are fairly collectible and valuable, especially an HVA in 9.3x62.





[ 11-14-2003, 05:26: Message edited by: fla3006 ]

Kalle,

I too would leave it as is. Not many of the 9.3x62 were made in the 640 as far as I know. I'm curious as to the action. I've heard of several variations in these actions, which convinces me they weren't picky and used just about any standard 98 FN sold them.

I just got a 640 in 8x57 that is 100% late model FN commercial receiver, sans thumb cut, charger hump, and stripper clip slot. Unfortunately it has been drilled right through the middle of the HVA logo, off center I might add -- at least the two holes are in the same axis though. So I modified a Leupold mount to allow it to sit at TDC, and mounted a scope on it.

Lovely rifles.

TC1 what do you mean by "surface Grind" also I am thinking of getting a 1909 Argentine to build a .404 Jeffery on I would like to mount a 2.5x compact on it or do you think this would make it un classic ??

PC--

Check out the "Hand Polish" and "One-eyed Jack" albums HERE.

Hej Kalle!

My suggestion is to buy a Timney to replace the military trigger.

1/4 safetys from Timney do work but I would go for a M-70 style safety.

Warne or Talley would be my choise for scopemounts. Drilling and tapping the reciver isn�t any problems as far as I know.....

Johnny Boberg in Bjurs�s can sell you the trigger. He also makes semifinished stock blanks if you plan to replace the stock. The stock is ok with open sights but with a scope on the gun...... Not good.

The HVA 640 rifles are not uncommon here in Sweden. We don�t see them as collectors items at all. A while ago I bougth a similar rifle as Kalle is planning to buy. It was a 30-06 in mint condition and I payed less than 100$ US for the rifle.

The old HVA 9,3X62:s are getting pricy due to the growing population of wild boars in southern Sweden. A 8X57 isn�t that hard to find for about 100-200$ US.

Kalle! Have a look at www.robsoft.nu/forum

Stefan

That was a few replies... Thanks and keep 'em comming!

PC,
Is it possible to fit the .404 into the standard FN-action?

Debee,
The rifle has no thumb-cut.

Hej Stefan,
I've been thinking of contacting Boberg, but want to see the rifle first. The facory stock is walnut and looks pretty on the pictures.
What make of M-70 safety do you recommend and where can one buy Talley mounts in Sweden. Do I have to order them from the US?

[ 11-14-2003, 17:42: Message edited by: Kalle Stolt ]

1894---

This is a case where the difference in the English language as used on each side of the pond could get somebody hurt, so I'll try to clarify it.

Silver Solder in the U.S. is actually "silver brazing" and takes place at just over 1200 deg. F. That will totally and completly anneal any rifle action and render it dead soft........and the shooter in danger of just being 'dead'. DON'T DO IT.

Black epoxy can be just as strong as the 400 deg. "soft solder" usually used across the pond to attach scope mounts and doesn't require re-bluing.

If scope mounts actually FIT the action 6x48 screws will hold the average scope for the lifetime of the rifle.

Thanks TC1 & Mr Belk,

I watched the slide show in your albums and am amzed at how an action can be turned into something as beautiful as that. If I go ahead with this .404 project that is the way I will go about it.

I know the easy option is to just build a .404 on a cz 550 magnum action but that would not have the charisma of the Argetine 1909 action I don't think.

Kalle.

I have only fitted 3-4 M-70 style safetys on M-98 actions so I�m not really the right person to ask. Weisner and Dakota is the brands I have worked with and I find both nice.

Recknagel (Germany) makes a M-70 style safety as well. It should be easyer to get one from Germany than US.

I don�t know if the Talley mounts are avalible here in Swe. I�ll doubt it.......

Warne is avalible from Vapen&Skytte in Bure�.

Stefan