In the february edition of Handloader magazine, Ken Waters has a picture of a savage 99 with a mannlicher forend that I think is just too cool to be believed. Does anyone have a source for mannlicher style stocks? The manufacturers dont really act like there is a big market for them...not too interested I guess. I would like to find one to put on my next mauser. I have heard that there can be some difficulty in bedding that type of stock for any accuracy. I would think for hunting applications that it would be negligible. Any opinions or sources welcomed. thanks swede
WyomingSwede, the full-length Mannlicher style stock, if of one piece of wood, as on a bolt-action, was considered a bedding problem due to its length and tendency to put varying pressure on a barrel all the way out to the muzzle. Some German gunsmiths I dealt with refused to make Manlicher style stocks for this reason. Others make a Mannlicher style with the forward 1/3rd made from a separate piece of wood. This should not be as much of a problem on a two-piece stock setup like the Savage 99, since the forend is separate to begin with. Despite their shortcomings, I love the Mannlicher style stock!!
The full-length Mannlicher is one stock design where I found it advantageous to always free-float a barrel. You might not get as fine accuracy this way, but the zero would not change due to moisture/weather changes, as it might if the forend touched the barrel.
OK Forrest, there's no way you can post that without some specifics on that beautiful rifle (I must have missed it if you posted previously)... not a bad whitetail either!
I absolutely LOVE mannlicher stocked rifles. I've owned three of the little Ruger M77's so-stocked (in 250 Savage, 7x57 and 308)... they're obviously a poor copy of what you have above! If I ever have a fine walnut/blued rifle built, that'd be the direction I'd go... Chic Worthing will do the stock of course!
Forrest, what an excellent rifle. I have a ElCheapo MarkX Mannlicher in .270win, I love it, it's my favorite hunting rifle, and I've never missed with it, even at running deer. I've only shot one load in it, Federal Premium with 130gr Sierra's, it will put 3 shot's in .7" at 100yds all day long, and it chrono's at 2900 fps from the 20" barrel.
Posts: 3097 | Location: Louisiana | Registered: 28 November 2001
I had a Mark X in 308 win with a stock like that, ......boy do I miss it! The stock on Ken Waters mod 99 was a custom job by .....( senior moument...)? It was in the Handloader mag piece.
------------------ No matter where you go.........there you are!
WyoSwede, I am looking to build a Mannlicher stocked Savage 99 myself, in a takedown version to complicate matters more. If you find any good info, I would appreciate it if you would pass it on to me. Thanks. Rob
Posts: 323 | Location: Anchorage, AK, USA | Registered: 15 June 2000
Forrest, You're driving me crazy with that rifle!! Please stop with the pictures . Your rifle along with Chris's 416... I have an add in the paper trying to sell my truck along with everything else!!
Seriously, that is one nice rifle. Have you had a chance to shoot some different loads? How's the accuracy? Best Regards, Terry
I haven't had a chance to do any load testing. I sent a bunch of 140 gr Nosler BT loads to the gunsmith for testing and to get the open sights close. He said these shot very well.
I had a box of 150 gr Nosler Partitions loaded with 47 gr of IMR 4350 that I took on the hunting trip. This load works quite well in a couple of other rifles, but I could tell in just the first five shots that this load wasn't going to be the final one for this rifle. I was sighting in, not shooting for groups, but my guess is this load will do no better than 1.75".
Shots 6, 7, and 8 killed the buck in the photo and two does. The rifle has a good batting average, but I am anxious to see how it really shoots. I'll email you with some results.
Posts: 5053 | Location: Muletown | Registered: 07 September 2001
There is only one thing that isn't perfect on that rifle. The safety, that big flat side, just doesn't look right, it is out of place on such an elegant rifle.
Posts: 3097 | Location: Louisiana | Registered: 28 November 2001
GSF 1200, I have never heard anyone complain about that flat side on the Model 70. And you are only the second person who I have ever said they didnt like it. We can always find something.
Posts: 4917 | Location: Wenatchee, WA, USA | Registered: 17 December 2001
.
