Here are some photographs of a project that I just completed for a client. The rifle is a 7-30 Waters on a rimfire action converted to centerfire. The barrel is a stainless barrel that the client requested be Falcon-coated. The color casehardening is by Doug Turnbull.

Duane,
Beautiful as always.
Michael J

WOW, very nice.

Duane, your stock work is beautiful. So is the metal work. Do you use the same basic geometry for a single shot like this one as you used on the scholarship, (spelling?) rifle? I know you would alter length of pull for the client. What else? Thanks DW

Very well done! The lever is especially unique.

Very very nice workmanship. A wonderful rifle. I am a bit sad to see an other conversion, wish folks would try the rifles in the original caliber. I have a model 12 in its original .220, the most accurate 22 I have ever owned. Won many a match with this rifle shooting against scoped rifles. The original micrometer peep sites can really work well. If the wind is down and I do my part it will shoot MOA well beyond 100 yards

quote:

Originally posted by dwheels:
Duane, your stock work is beautiful. So is the metal work. Do you use the same basic geometry for a single shot like this one as you used on the scholarship, (spelling?) rifle? I know you would alter length of pull for the client. What else? Thanks DW

....Everything changes..pitch, cast, grip circumference, length of grip and of course,drop at comb/heel...geometry...well, there's a family resemblence...that's all

quote:

Originally posted by smithrjd:
Very very nice workmanship. A wonderful rifle. I am a bit sad to see an other conversion, wish folks would try the rifles in the original caliber. I have a model 12 in its original .220, the most accurate 22 I have ever owned. Won many a match with this rifle shooting against scoped rifles. The original micrometer peep sites can really work well. If the wind is down and I do my part it will shoot MOA well beyond 100 yards

Customer wants a blue suit, you turn on the blue lights!

Duane,
You always have the right answers.
Butch

That is amazing. Brilliant. Well done. Thanks for sharing.

Another beauty Duane,,,, You realy blow em out fast!

Duane,

How did you fit the stock to the customer? This action and lines really made me think of it as I'm sure it's not something you do all the time but what about even your standard bolt rifle, do you employ a try gun, does the customer send measurements, do you measure the customer? Thanks.

I was lucky enough to look at this rifle, in person, today.

This is an unbelieveable rifle guys. Petite and quite lovely to behold.

Duane,
Beautiful work as always.

As far as the conversion, I always felt that the derivation of custom gun came from customer. They are paying the tab, they get what they want.

Duane,

That is just magnificent!!!!

Don

Dammit that's purdy.... are there any problems with that case feeding with the low clearance on the scope? Looks like a side load and tip the rifle to clear the spent brass. I'm not being critical...with looks like those I'd live with a lot more than that.

Good eye!!! Yes the scope is lower than optimal. We mounted it for visual only, a set of high rings are coming from M1 Tanker

quote:

Originally posted by Prewar70:
Duane,

How did you fit the stock to the customer? This action and lines really made me think of it as I'm sure it's not something you do all the time but what about even your standard bolt rifle, do you employ a try gun, does the customer send measurements, do you measure the customer? Thanks.

Ah...this could be a long post...many times the customer has his measurments. If there is no face to face, I ask for photos of the customer holding the firearm in the off hand position, from each side and pointed at the camera.

Not magic here, but it gives an idea of where the head is held. If the elbow is a lot lower than the shoulder, the grips needs to be a litle closer and vice versa.

With a good description, tracing of the shooting hand, the other deails almost fall in place.

Each stock is an individual effort. I think I try gun for shotgunning is he epitome of a fitting device, this is usually left to the experts in the field. A try gun for a rifle is fun, and perhaps even a good starting point...No, I do not use one.

I've been fortunate enough to have witnessed several very beautiful guns on this forum.....and I must say this one clearly is, or near the best ever....truly magnificent!