Tomorrow morning my custom project rifle is hitting the road to Jim Dubell at Delta Gun Shop for metal work.

The gun is being built to resemble a 1920/30s English stalking rifle. The action is a Montana 1999 short action [perfect size for 6.5X55 and 7X57 Mauser class cartridges], but I am having it modified to resemble the original sporter Mausers with a straight pear shaped bolt handle and square bridges that double as bases for the scope mounts. I personally had issues with using a Mauser action and went with the Montana, but that is just my preference.

The barrel is a Montana creation, but it mimics the profiles used by both Mauser and those shipped to H&H and Westley Richards. The barrel is 25 inches long with a 1:7.5†twist and will have an NECG barrel band front with a barrel banded front swivel base. The rear sight is on a barrel-banded island with an express sight insert one up and two down.

The stock will be fairly straight, but with a pancake oval cheek-piece and both a metal grip cap and buttplate on a 14 7/8 inch LOP. The rear sling swivel base will be a two-screw model. Forend will be made of burl African blackwood [a rosewood just like cocobolo and Brazilian rosewood]. The checkering will be similar to a classic English mullered boarder, but with a double outline instead of a triple, it will however be simple in overall design.

The wood for the stock came from New Zealand and is a nice piece of English walnut, but the figure and color are reserved just the way I like it.

The finish on the rifle will probably be Rogaurd, but I still ove the old Carbona blueing. I have found parts for rifles coated with Rogaurd coatings close enough to blueing for me and I us climbing/rescue equip that is coated with it also.

The open sights on this rifle will be regulated for firing the 155-160 grain bullets and filed accordingly. The scope on the rifle will be sighted in for the most accurate 140 grain slug either leaded, or all copper. I plan on keeping the velocities to what the cartridge was designed for and probably consistent with Euro loadings today. I do not believe in pushing a cartridge to the maximum loads.







When the gun is finished I will post more pictures. I am still firming up the stockmaker.

I've been out of touch for some time. It's great to see that your project is coming together.
Looks like you've got a great assemblage of components to put together a spectacular classic.
I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished product.

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333_OKH: a 14 7/8 inch LOP

Are you sure you're not talking about a mortar and baseplate?


Jaywalker

Jaywalker

Sounds like an interesting project.

Rich

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Are you sure you're not talking about a mortar and baseplate?

Thats what happens when your 6'8" and 265 pounds. My jeans are 38 waist 44 inseam and my shirts are 18 1/2 neck with 38/39 sleeves.

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Originally posted by 333_OKH:

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Are you sure you're not talking about a mortar and baseplate?

Thats what happens when your 6'8" and 265 pounds. My jeans are 38 waist 44 inseam and my shirts are 18 1/2 neck with 38/39 sleeves.

333,

Have you ever climbed down the beanstalk?

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333,

Have you ever climbed down the beanstalk?

You guys kill me. Considering I have been this tall since I was 15, can you guess how many times I have heard that?

So, with that inseam I guess I don't get to use my rif about calluses on knuckles. Too bad - it was a pretty good bit...

Jaywalker

That is going to be one good looking rifle. The grain in the stock blank is perfect and the combination of parts you have assembled along with the changes you are making to the action will make it something to see. I love the choice of caliber too. You are doing it the way it should be done, IMHO.
I'm 6'4" and run into enough problems with my height. I can't imagine what you have had to put up with. On the bright side, they say that if you live long enough, you will eventually start getting shorter. That won't be so bad if my feet shrink too.

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they say that if you live long enough, you will eventually start getting shorter.

First off, thanks for your comments on the rifle. I had an idea in my head and went for so ihope it turns out the way I am thinking!

As for the quote, I hope so. Do you all know how tall a door way is? Well with shoes on I am at least and inch taller!

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Originally posted by 333_OKH:
As for the quote, I hope so. Do you all know how tall a door way is? Well with shoes on I am at least and inch taller!

Did you ever watch the show Night Court? Bull had a modified door frame.

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Originally posted by 333_OKH:
When you guys looked over my plan for the rifle did you see anything that stood out as items you would change? No I am not changing the action!

I wouldn't change a thing except the action. BUT the only reason for that is you said you were coping a Mauser actioned English rifle. However it seems like you have thought that out and will probably have less money in this route. GOOD PLAN!

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333_OKH: When you guys looked over my plan for the rifle did you see anything that stood out as items you would change? No I am not changing the action!

Are the open sights your primary sights or will you have it scoped? If the latter, the straight bolt could be a problem.

Jaywalker

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Originally posted by 333_OKH:
When you guys looked over my plan for the rifle did you see anything that stood out as items you would change? No I am not changing the action!

Yes, ditch the coating idea and blue the rifle. All the classic accents and paint?

Terry

I think the whole rifle is well thought out. The choice of action, with the changes you are making, suits the rifle. The only thing I would probably do is leave off the front sight hood. That's just because I usually loose them anyway. This whole thread is really making me want my MRC 1999 to get here. Mine will end up more like a beater rifle to keep in the truck, when compared to the rifle you are making. I'm looking forward to seeing the final product.

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Originally posted by 333_OKH:

quote:

333,

Have you ever climbed down the beanstalk?

You guys kill me. Considering I have been this tall since I was 15, can you guess how many times I have heard that?

All joking aside, 333, I hope it comes together
just as you visualize it in your head! Keep
us posted and we need pics!

Here is the African blackwood that will go on the fore-end as soon as I choose which piece to use. One of them has curly/fiddleback grain [piece that also has sap wood] and the other has small pockets of burl and irregular grain pattern. The wood came out in the photo lighter in color than in person. It is basically jet black with barely noticeable grain.

Tell me what you think and which one you would use?

Since you're going all out and building a classic rifle, how about adding a checkered steel cartridge trap to the but of the rifle? I assume the stock will be plenty big enough to accomodate such a device.

Sounds very nice. I would also vote for a nice blue over the robar but it has to fit your tastes and desires.

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Originally posted by TC1:


Yes, ditch the coating idea and blue the rifle. All the classic accents and paint?

Terry

I agree with TC1.

Paint? No way.

Looks like your going to have a sweet swede!

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Are the open sights your primary sights or will you have it scoped? If the latter, the straight bolt could be a problem.

Jaywalker

I am hoping a 'Smith like Jim Dubell at Delta GunShop can make the necessary modification that this is not a problem.

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Since you're going all out and building a classic rifle, how about adding a checkered steel cartridge trap to the but of the rifle? I assume the stock will be plenty big enough to accomodate such a device.

Not a bad idea and I will be looking into it. I actually have an original from a 1924 Sequoia Mannlich-Sch.

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Yes, ditch the coating idea and blue the rifle. All the classic accents and paint?

Terry

Originally I was going to use Carbonia blue like some of the pre-WWII firearms, but I used some climbing equip that was treated with Rogaurd the other day and it was pretty nice, and tuff as hell! I will reconsider.

I'm not familiar with that coating but my experience with other coatings is that when it does wear or scratch it really looks like hell as opposed to blueing wear seems to wear along with the rifle in general and sorta actaully fit in if that makes sense.

I cannot make up my mind!?!?!?! If I keep going this way it will be Carbonia.............................................................................................

333-

You're building a classic. Keep it that way.

Ebony tip, and slow rust blue.

Given that you've already bombarded--"shotgunned," shall we say?--the board with questions, I have no doubt that you'll care enough about this rifle to maintain it.

What others might consider blemishes--the scars from good honest use--will only serve to remind you of this great hunt or that.

Think of the Selby Mauser: It's an icon. No plastic stocked, stainless steel rifle will ever carry the emotional impact this rifle imposes.

flaco

N.B. Plastic stocks and stainless steel are for those who subscribe to interchangeable parts and disposable commodities. There's a place for these--Walmart--despite the fact they're conceptually diametrically opposed to the idea of the Custom Rifle.

Even the lowliest conscript is taught care for his rifle.

And care is all it takes.

To maintain fine Turkish walnut and slow rust blue.

Blue it is!

Great! Anything less, on the rifle you are putting together, would have detracted from the overall classic look this rifle is going to have after about 20 years of use. Now as it ages it will just get better looking.

It just keeps getting better. I might have to rethink some of the plans I have for mine if it ever gets here.

Now I just have to decide if there will be any engraving or not?

The extra expenses keep adding years to the project and I might skip the engraving.

Have a skilled engraver do a "trim job". Engrave the screw heads, stipple the flats around the sights and neatly letter the rifle. That's all it takes. Everything else is superfluous.

That sounds like a very good idea!

Please don't forget to show us the finished rifle.
Yes carbona blueing is the way to go on a classic rifle.
My father was 6'7" and the world was just a little too small for his frame. It was a real PITA for him at times.

Did you find a Rigby style stock pattern to duplicate?

Just my 2 cents go with a rust blue Al

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Did you find a Rigby style stock pattern to duplicate?

I have a stockmaker that apparently has this style stock, but I have not gotten too far on that part of the prject. Any suggestions? I do have a Richards press fit classic in utility grade I might modify for the pattern?

One problem is that I go from open sights (30%) to scope (70%) while hunting. Jim Dubell will be putting his square bridge mounts on this gun with the Talley bases it will be interesting for the open sight adjustments

Looks like an awsome project well thought out and great calibre !!

It has been a while but I have the first pictures from Jim Dubell at Delta Guns Shop of the finished metalwork on the barreled action. I should have it in hand in a few weeks. I think this might be the finest looking MRC 1999 SA I have seen to date!







It has a modified bolt release, modified floorplate release, larger new pear shaped bolt handle, double square bridge scope mounts for Talleys, Rechnagel 3 leaf [one standing two folding] barrel banded rear sight, NECG barrel banded front sight with hood, stoned and polished action, trigger job,lugs and barrel lapped, recontouring the trigger guard bow, and cut the draft on the bottom metal.

I think I got it all down, but I may have missed something by not going back through my notes and Jim's e-mails.

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I think this might be the finest looking MRC 1999 SA I have seen to date!

And I'd have to agree for sure!

Very nice. I especially like the barrel contour and the bottom metal.

The barrel contour is basically a Lothar Walther 5130. This was used by many of the English companys for calibers smaller than 375 H&H.

The bottom metal is stock with Jim's touches. The gaurd bow is shotgun style, the release latch has been beefed up and made to not have play in it, nor be easily bumped open.