First of all I did not make this stock - unfortunately I can't claim it. All I did was put a different barreled action into it for a buddy of mine. Both the metal work and the stock are the work of Clayton Nelson. It was nice getting to work with it in order to see the work of one of the great stockmakers around. I thought that you all might enjoy some pics of it.............




















The gun belongs to a good buddy of mine who prefers to remain nameless. I hope to take it out and see how it shoots when I get back from an upcoming trip this weekend. Hope you enjoy the pics despite my so-so photography............................DJ

DJ, that's slick, COOL barrel. What kind of action is it?

Regards--Don

I love the stock design.

Has it been flattened on the bottom around the floorplate?

Very nice finish. Looks like tung oil, can you confirm?

-Spencer

Really nice1 I’ve never been a big fan of checkering, but the curves and pattern of this type really compliments the rifle as a whole...IMO.

very nice rifle

That really is a special rifle. The barrel is particularly nice.

Very nice gun. Clayton does nice work. The only custom rifle I have ever had built FOR me is a 7x57 he built me several years ago. We attended gunsmith school together quite a few years ago. I took mine to Zim last time I went and took all my plains game with it. Was really effective on Kudu. It's light and shoots like gangbusters. Nice irons and overall excellent work as usual. I particularly like the treatment he does on the pistol grip. Mine is a little darker stock (I like dark wood) and a little different checkering pattern with fold down front sight blade and rear leaf on pedestal
base. If I could take nice pics I would publish them. Mine is on a nicely modified 1909.

It's a Pre-64 Model 70 with a 2 panel checkered bolt knob. The bottom metal is Blackburn. The barrel, 1/4 rib, swivel knob and front sight base are all 1pc integral with the barrel.
I'm not sure what he used for the stock finish but it looks and feels like tung oil...............DJ

Here is a try at showing my 7x57

I really like the straight bolt knob. Nelson does awesome work doesn't he?.............DJ

Zimbabwe

I guess DJ and I sometimes think alike. Pardon me for not paying too much attention to the stock on your Nelson Rifle. What I want to know is who did that absolutely exquisite bolt handle job on your rifle. One very rarely sees that kind of treatment. In fact, the only other maker I have seen use that particular treatment on Mausers (back when he did them) is David Miller. I am not talking so much about the straigtness of it though, but rather the way whoever did it made it look as thought it grew perfectly out of that handle stub.

Clay did it all. Bolt handle is his. I prefer straight handles. I have one exactly like it on a Siamese Mauser in 30/40 with a Mannlicher stock. I have a 257Robts on a Mdl 70 that is being built now with the same handle but slightly different checkering. The frontsight and pedestal are his also. Reshaped the trigger guard and the buttplate is a Niedner with a steel grip cap. Trigger is a Timney. Front sight, swivel base, and pedestal are integral. Very nice gun if I do say so. Talley bases are also his. Scope is a Leupold 3x9 in Talley rings. Checkering borders are Mullered.

Wow...a pair of beautiful rifles.

Thanks guys for showing them to us.

Two fantastic rifles!

Thanks to the both of you for posting pics.

Regards,
Dave

I also love the bolt. Can we get a picture that is a little more straight on to show how far down the bolt comes past the woodline?

Don't understand exactly what you want to see but I will try tomorrow to take another couple of shots.

NICE.. the barrel on the first one is a REAL jewel

Interesting feature behind the grip checkering on both rifles, apparently a trademark of Clayton's. I don't believe I've ever seen that done before.

dj,
Who did the barrel with the quarter rib (integral, I assume)?

quote:

Don't understand exactly what you want to see but I will try tomorrow to take another couple of shots

The action shot you have is a little down looking when taken. i was hoping to get one that was straight at the side, so perp to the side of the action. This shows the length and position of the bolt without the changes in detail due to the angle of the photo.

quote:

Rick 0311: I’ve never been a big fan of checkering, but the curves and pattern of this type really compliments the rifle as a whole

Good point. I usually don't care as much for fleur-d-lis checkering patterns but this one is exquisite and really does compliment the contours of the stock.

Here are 3 more views of the bolt handle on my 7x57.

Perfect! Just what I was looking for. I am thinking of having just a tad bit longer bolt installed. Yours looks great on that rifle.