Before I take off for Iraq on friday for 15 months I wanted to show off my 3 projects that I finally got around to finishing.

This is also my first real attempt at decent photography. I still didnt get the lighting or angles right but it is a big improvement ove previous attempts.

#1 is a Post-64 Winchester push feed 22/250 varmint. This rifle started life as a M70 XTR .243. It then served duty as a 308 in a couple configurations. Then when I moved to Ft Carson, CO and found a large population of prairie dogs that needed thinning I decided to turn it into a 22/250 varmint. I sent it off and had a Shilen #5 contour 1:9 twist installed. I was able to get my hands on a stock from the Winchester Custom Shop that was set up for the 1 piece bottom metal. I ordered a set of the new Williams Orbendorf bottom metal for it. It came complete with the inlet swivel bases and steel grip cap. I glass bedded the action and free floated the barrel and worked the trigger to a clean 3 pounds. All the metal was bead blasted and blued for a deep satin black finish. The Bushnell Elite 4200 4x16 was mounted in Warne QD rings and bases. The rifle shoots incredibly well with several different loads - as the target I posted shows. It is heavy enough for bench work but still light enough for practical use. I think it turned into a very pretty varminter.



















#2 is something a little different. It is a Yugoslavian M48A "sniper" - I have a good friend who runs ViMBAR rifle matches (vintage military bolt action) In those matches he runs a "sniper class". These matches are an absolute blast. The rifles have to be mil-issue and can have up to a 6x scope mounted on them. Currently it has a 10X Bushnell Elite 3200 but I will be swapping it to a Burris 6X with target turrets. Mike McCabe (Z1R) welded on a new bolt handle for me and drilled and tapped the receiver. Warne bases and QD rings were installed. I think Mike did an amazing job!!!! A couple weeks ago Mike delivered the rifle and we made a trip to the range. In spite of very windy and dusty conditions the rifle performed EXTREMELY well with some handloads I had on hand. Not to shabby for a $80 military surplus rifle!!!!!









Finally is a sweet little Ruger #1 7x57. A good friend re-stocked his #1 and passed his custom "take-off" stocks to me. The barrel contour on his rifle was a little larger than mine so I glassed the fore-end for a perfect fit. I then re-finished them with a nice oil finish. The rifle shoots 140gr Partitions just under 1". It is a sweet shooting rifle that is a dream to carry - plus I think it is darn nice to look at!!!!!

The projects are beautiful, but more importantly, Godspeed and our prayers and thanks are with you. Be safe.

You've got three very nice rifles there. I have a 24/47 that will be done up like your 48.

Excelent work, I really like the Number one. Thanks for sharing.

i like the supergrade rear sling and cross bolt on the m70...

Great work. All three turned out nicely. It would be interestring to see what the Yugo does on a good day.

Keep your head down over there and let us know if there is anything we can send or do.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
The projects are beautiful, but more importantly, Godspeed and our prayers and thanks are with you. Be safe.

Ditto.....

Excellent Rifles although you need to tighten up the groups a bit....... Godspeed my friend.

Pretty, pretty, pretty! Nicely done.

Thank you for your service on our behalf. Be safe and successful. We look forward to your safe return home and to this community!

The .22/250 is beautiful, and about perfect for sure.

May they be a short and healthy 15 months. Thank you for your service.

Nice rifles and be safe on your tour. God bless you for your service.

LBjr,
Maybe smilies are appropriate when questioning M1Tanker's groups on your first post


John

Take care my friend, you will be my prayers.
SFC E7 (retired)

Hello Bill,
All three came out very nice and shoot to boot. My favorite is the #1. Hope we can do the PD shoot sometime with the new varminter.
Take care and God bless you in your service.
Bruce

That #1 is excelent.
I have a 1A in 7X57 and it shoots the 140 grain partitions at about an inch too.
When you get hoem try some 140 grain balistic tips over H-414. I get a half inch or so.
I will pray that you come back with only the holes you left with.
Thank you for serving our wonderfull country
Godds speed...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by JKS:
Nice rifles and be safe on your tour. God bless you for your service.

LBjr,
Maybe smilies are appropriate when questioning M1Tanker's groups on your first post


John

LBJr and I go waaayyyy back. He is super guy and a reas asset to come to the forum.

I am going to do a blatant plug for the guys who did the real work on these.

Mike McCabe - Z1R - from here did the awesome job on the M48 bolt handle. His work is outstanding to say the least. if you need top quality work done he is the man to go to.

The bluing on the Winchester was done by a gentleman named Mark Waldo - he used to handle the bluing for Dan Wesson. he does a superb job for a LOT less than I have been able to find anywhere else. His turn around time is extremeley fast. GUNBLUER@LYNCHBURG.NET

Nice rifles!

Keep your head down over there. Thanks to you and your men for your service.

Thanks for all the compliments. Chic Worthing says it best - "life is too short for an ugly gun". I like to think these fall into the drop dead sexy category and not the ugly rifle - well the m48 is not exactly sexy but still a lot of fun.

that milsurp shoot sounds cool, watch out for the k31's mine already has a 6x weaver on it and does MOA with GP11 surplus, trigger came already breaking like glass at 3 # pretty cool for a $79 rifle

I think bill, has a way of getting all the good wood, or something.

Where are you going to be stationed over here??

I am at BIAP right now.

If you and your guys need anything let me know. I will be leaving Dec 16th.

Good luck.

Bill,

Very nice work!!! Excellent photography also.

Thank you for your service and please be careful over there. Hope you have a chance to get online from time to time and give us an update. God bless and please let us know if you or the family need anything.

Phil

Very nice. I really like the Winchester.

Terry

bought one of your items in classified to help finance some project pieces-nice work Been curious about your projects.

I like the 8mm, shooting pretty good it is. Now am considering my VZ24 to be dressed similar to yourn.

M1, take care over there and thanks for your service-Godspeed!

M1,
I would babysit your fine rifles while you are gone.
You take care of yourself and we will pray for you.
Butch

Take care of yourself Tanker, Nice rifles and Mike is a stand up guy.

Very nice rifles, for sure!
As others have stated, do be careful over there.
You and all the troops are in our prayers, may God bring you home safely...

M1Tanker --

Thank you for serving our country. And that goes out to all the other vets and LEO's that might be reading this thread. You are ALL in our prayers.

BTW, the bottom metal arrived today and looks great. I hope to have these finished before you return stateside. Since you posted your "finally finished" pics, I hope you don't mind if I post my "finally started" ones in your thread I figured you'd want to know how the lil' darlings look in their new home.



Take care and be safe, m' friend.

-- Brian/ale

William
Take care of yourself over there!!! Thanks for your service.

Aleaddict,
That is good looking metal that you got from M1. I think you got a real good deal on the last 2 that he had.
Butch

M1, damn fine rigs, and they are gorgeous.

Godspeed over there. Thanks for being in the dust for us.

Very nice work.
Be careful out there, thank you for your service,

Roland

William and LBjr,

I apologize for stepping in it here

All my best,

John

Thanks everyone for the compliments on the rifles. I was worried i was not going to get them finnished before I left, let alone get to the range with them. I cant wait to get back home and do some serious shooting with them in 15 months.

I am in Kuwait and getting ready to north to Iraq in a couple days. All of your kind wishes truly mean a lot to me. Thanks for all of them.

William,
Nice looking battery of rifles!

Thank you for your continued service to our country! I wish you a safe deployment.

Keep your head down! We will be very glad to see you upon your return. Keep us posted if you can.

M1
great rifles, and safe journey

quote:

Originally posted by M1Tanker:
The bluing on the Winchester was done by a gentleman named Mark Waldo - he used to handle the bluing for Dan Wesson. he does a superb job for a LOT less than I have been able to find anywhere else. His turn around time is extremeley fast. GUNBLUER@LYNCHBURG.NET

mark is still alive? EXECELLENT ...
Guys, if you want a wicked great bluing, contact him .. his matte finish is awesome, and his turn around is excellent. No joke, I setup my tanks because i thought he wasn't around anymore.. awesome blue, great guys, lightening turnaround

jeffe