My rifle is almost done!!! A couple days ago I was able to see the stock on my rifle coming to life and thought I would share it with you. A few months ago I posted photos of the metal work by James Anderson. Dean Zollinger is doing the stock work and it is almost finished. I had my Dad hold the rifle while I snapped a few pics. As of tonight the stock has oil on it but I do not have any photos yet. Dean also has the bolt handle all finished and polished. He has done an amazing job on every part of the rifle.

I will be stopping by Dean Zollingers shop again on friday and will get some new photos of the stocks progress.

Mr.Berger,
That is a damn nice rifle!
Butch

Butch,
Thanks for the great compliment on the rifle. It has been 10 years to get it to this point!!!! But it is finally a reality and very close to being in my hands and ready to shoot!!! These last few days of waiting are killing me!!!!!

The problem with rifles at that stage is that you can ALMOST see how great they are going to be - but the anticipation is terrible.
Great looking rifle.

Bill,

Great looking rifle.....Dean does fantastic work! The octagon taper is sure a lot more pleasing to the eye since the recontour.

Shane Thompson

Wow, very nice. What caliber are you building again?

Thats oustanding, I like it allot.

I especially like the cheekpiece profile, the lower part how it follows the lower stock lines.

Bill-

Your rifle is outstanding!!!

Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Thanks for all the great compliments. I will try and answer your questions below.

Action - stainless M70 Classic

Caliber - 300 Winchester Magnum

Barrel - stainles Half Moon contoured by James Anderson

Stock blank - a gorgeous piece of English that was found for me by a friend while I was on my last Iraq deployment

Recoil pad - Pachmyr Decelorator

Checkering - full wrap on fore-end and over teh top on grip - 24 LPI borderles point pattern

Metal finish - beadblasted to a soft satin finish

Rings & bases - Talley stainless

Scope - Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40

I will be sure post some photos when I next see the rifle in a few days.

Very nice, and what a friend to find such a nice peice of english for you! Do show us the finished project, and WELCOME HOME.

Enjoy

Looks great Bill, the grain flow through the wrist looks very strong and then to have that wonderful marbling on the butt, special piece of wood and "brilliant" metal work!

I already told you on the other forum, but I'll say it again. Fantastic rifle!

Terry

quote:

Fantastic rifle!

Bill,
Looks like you have another real beauty to add to your collection!!!!!!!! Welcome home, and THANK YOU FOR SERVING!!!!!!!! God bless you and yours. Rick

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
Very nice, and what a friend to find such a nice peice of english for you!

Enjoy

The particular AR member who found the blank for says he wants to claim anonymity since such a wild figured blank is an affront to his normal conservative tastes when it comes to stock wood.

Despite his heckling he found me an absolutely amazing blank for the rifle.

I visited Dean's shop today and saw the stock now that it has a couple coats of oil on it. To put it mildly - it looks incredible. The oil darkened the stock up a bit and really brought out its beauty and character. Zollonger has done an amazing job with the stock.

A couple days ago I was able to drop in his shop again and snapped a few pics of the stock after the 1st couple coats of oil are on it. My poor photos do not do justice to the job he has done. And of course it will just look even better as he gets the finish completed.