First of all I had a good time making this rifle into a quasi Mannlicher.

Yesterday it shot a 1 1/2", 5 shot group at 100 yds. Than it did well at 200 yds on a metal pig.I asked my partner to shot it and he continuously went over the pig by about a foot.

Again I shot it and centered on the pig.

The fore end on this rifle is hinged to the action and held up front by a metal keeper. It is free to wobble or move with pressure. I was resting on or very close to the action. My buddy was supporting the rifle up front near the end of the fore arm. Made all the difference in the world. When he shot off hand he could hit the pig.

Next time I try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear I'll select a different piece of pork.

Also the bolt has two rear locking lugs but from the metal ware one lug is doing the majority of the work. This design feature seems to allow the action to flex some so that the case is slightlty elongated to the point that if the case ,when reloaded , is not truely FL sized the bolt handle is hard to close over the last 2 to 3 degrees. Ran into the same condition on a Winchester mod. 95, 30-06.FYI roger

Roger,
I had one of the MAS 36/51 versions with the integral grenade sights and launcher.
It shot inot about 1.5 inhes like yours.
Even though the receiver is rather heavy the action seemed very springy. Even with moderate loads the bolt could be sticky to open. It stretched my cases too.
I did think the rear sight was pretty good though.

Did either of you try any factory ammo? I tried FNM, made in portugal, sold in a blue box of 20. I think its loaded too light, I'm getting soot the length of the case, and some gas and soot hits me on the forehead. Fired brass doesn't look out of spec, primers are not backed out. I haven't fired enough to get a good sample, and I might be looking past headspace problems.

Does anyone have any experience with this fnm ammo?

I will reload for this rifle, once I get a better rear sight. It currentky has a plastic base, barely held on by one screw.

quote:

Originally posted by bja105:
Did either of you try any factory ammo? I tried FNM, made in portugal, sold in a blue box of 20. I think its loaded too light, I'm getting soot the length of the case, and some gas and soot hits me on the forehead.

You have good indication that you have a low pressure load and not getting a seal. Haven't tried any commercial ammo. don't know as I will. roger

How about a photo of the silk purse?

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
How about a photo of the silk purse?

PM me your E-mail address and I'll send you photos. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
First of all I had a good time making this rifle into a quasi Mannlicher.
roger

That's what it's all about isn't it? Sometimes I think we think why this or that and forget that it's all about enjoying our hobby. I'm glad to hear someone did something just for the heck of it and had a good time doing it...................... ..........DJ