Bailey:

Lookin' good!

I think the Gibbs extractor system is the right decision. I know it kinda messes up the screwless appearence of the action, but the Brits never shied away from screws.

The new lever is an improvement as well.

Is the trigger guard integral to the lower action plate/ tang?

Good stuff. I look forward to seeing one of these actions up close and personal.


Glenn Fewless

Thanks Glenn

The Gibbs extractor is briliant. Simple, strong and effective. I really don't mind the screws now that they are there. I will just have to do a good job fitting them.

The old lever looked too long didn't it. I like the new one a lot more. funny how simple touches can change the appearance so much.

The trigger guard is integral to the plate. The lower tang is integral to the rest of the action. It's set up for a draw bolt to atatch the stock.

I'd be happy to send you an action to look over when I get one complete.

Bailey:

I would be delightful to meet one of your actions up close and personal like. It might even be the answer to a serious problem I have. It seems that I have acquired a passel of .375 H&H Flanged Magnum brass and a set of reloading dies. I either need to be shed of the brass or build a rifle to hold them...

Best,

Glenn

quote:

Originally posted by hst:
Bailey:

I would be delightful to meet one of your actions up close and personal like. It might even be the answer to a serious problem I have. It seems that I have acquired a passel of .375 H&H Flanged Magnum brass and a set of reloading dies. I either need to be shed of the brass or build a rifle to hold them...

Best,

Glenn

And so what BRAND is your brass? If it's not
Bertram, I know where you can get shed of it....
Regards, Joe

Mr. Steele:

It is most kind of you to desire to relieve me of this burden.

The brass is headstamped HDS. Howsomever, I am inclined to bear this onerous weight for a while longer, just in case I find the right action to build on.

Glenn

quote:

Originally posted by hst:
Mr. Steele:

It is most kind of you to desire to relieve me of this burden.
Well, I remember what you yourself said about no sacrifice being too great for someone else to make....(VBG)

The brass is headstamped HDS.
probably Huntington, probably Bertram
Howsomever, I am inclined to bear this onerous weight for a while longer, just in case I find the right action to build on.
I'd greatly appreciate a report on the brass performance, when&if; I've always wanted this chambering but the Bertram brass issue has always stopped me before now.
Glenn

I've been hoping that Starline would make this brass but so far no luck. I eagerly await your next report and your next rifle project on one of Bailey's new actions!
Regards, Joe

Trigger group is assembled. Needs a heavier main spring, but that is just a phone call away.

I've shaped the underlever a little more as well.

Here are a couple of pictures of the action next to my Ruger 1. The second picture shows the difference in the size. The bottom of the actions are alighned.

Looking good Bailey.
What is the width of your action?

Bailey:

The action is really looking good. It looks like you really have something here...

The end of the lever is well formed. The British actions all released with a push forward motion rather than a pull down like the Ruger has. The more I see of this action the more I like it...

How large of a cartridge is it designed to take?

Best regards. Please let me know if I can be of any help.

Glenn

gfewless@tds.net

Glenn,

Thanks, I put a lot of value on your opinion.

As for the largest cartridge it can be chambered for. I designed it for 30-06 sized cases, but since it requires a rimmed case, it will need to be a rimmed version in the medium bore family.

I did some research regarding the specific strength of the action. The dimensions critical to this are the action side walls, barrel band and corresponding barrel shank dia. The side walls are .2" thick, but can be left thicker if requested. ( the action is 1.25" thick)That's the same side wall thickness as a Ruger no.1, but my action has a couple of advantages over the no 1. First is the material. The No 1 is from a casting, and has releived areas where the sidewalls are thinner. I am using 4140 and 8620, and the cavity is wire cut on my EDM. The EDM produces a smooth, stress free cut. The breech block, also EDM cut is a precise fit, which reduces "hammering" from a not so perfect fit.

The barrel hole on the action is .875", which keeps .2" barrel wall thickness, plus the thickness of the barrel band around the chamber ( .164"). So, the dimensions of the barrel band and barrel shank require the case diameter to be .471" and smaller at the base, The rimm size should be .531" and smaller. This includes the 9.3x74r. So, to answer the question on the largest caliber, the 9.3X74R would be it.

Enlarging the barrel hole and making the action thicker could allow it to accomodate the .375 flanged.

Bailey:

Some observations...

The base diameter of the .375 Flanged Magnum is .515". The .30 Super is the same.

The .30-06 case is .470 at the base, or .045" smaller. The .400-.350, a chambering I would like, is .470" the same as the 06.

Compared to your barrel thread diameter of .875, the Winchester High Wall barrel thread has a major diameter of .935". The standard Brit barrel threads are 1"-14.

As for the side wall thickness, .200" will hold anything a man could fire from the shoulder. The Winchester walls were only .125, and the metal was not the equal of modern alloys. I can measure a Gibbs and Henry if you would like, but I am sure they are under .200".

Glenn

Glenn,

According to Winfer's book on the Gibbs, the shidewalls measured .145". Threads were .99" 14 tpi. That was on a .461 no. 2.

I have intended from the beginning of this to scale the action up for the larger cases. It won't be very much, as it will still be smaller then a Ruger 1, but will put more beef in the barrel shank.

Another issue with the larger diameter cases is the tang trough and breech block travel providing room for the round to travel into the chamber. Scaling the action proportionate to the increase in case size ( percentage wise) will ensure all of those little issues don't bite me. The increase is only 8%. That puts the barrel shank at .945"

I am considering adding a set screw to adjust trigger travel. It is a crisp trigger, and with travel adjustment it would be tuneable to individual tastes.

The trigger, trigger spring and sear are integral. The safety blocks the rear of the trigger/sear, so the safety is very effective.



I did a little shaping to the bottom of the action yesterday. Polising today.....

Here are a few pics of the action 99% finished and ready for barreling. The barrel stub was chambered so I could test the extractor.












And here is a pic of a new addition to my shop. It's no Hardinge, but I am happy and proud to have it.

Beautiful Bailey!
I love that deep tang trough...



Almost reminds me of (never mind)

Bailey, IMHO, your Prototype No. 2, or Mk. 1 Mod. 1 - - is a definite improvement - in all of the respects you and Glenn have mentioned.

It's truly an improved Gibbs-Farquharson, and that's saying a lot.

John Farquharson, George Gibbs - and our own Frank de Haas - must all be smiling down on you from the great beyond.

I like the notion of the set screw to adjust trigger travel. Overtravel cannot be eliminated on a Gibbs-Farquharson, as far as I have been able to determine (trying to do it interferes with cocking bar travel and therefore case extraction/ejection).

So good shooting with a Gibbs-Farquharson requires that one be aware of the problem and focus very hard on controlling the break and the overtravel.

If I could offer one further suggestion, it would be to reshape the rear of the trigger guard opening, lengthen the trigger just a wee bit, and give them both a hint of the compound curve that the most graceful of the Gibbs-Farquharsons have.

Purely aesthetic, I know, but these actions have always been the epitome of proper style. And IMHO, that's very important.

I find it remarkable that you can accommodate larger sized cartridge cases with only an 8% scale up. I guess that derives from the brilliance of the basic falling block design.

Some makers might be inclined simply to go with the larger action size for all offerings. Offering two scaled actions seems to me to be a big plus for those of us who care about economy of size and weight.

Please put me on your list of interested parties for when these go into production.

Mr. Bradshaw:

Very very nice.

And it will only get better looking as it turns into a complete rifle.

Congratulations!

Glenn

Damn Bailey! You're just good!
Butch

I don't know what to say that has not already been said except when are they going to be for sale? DW

DW,

I am finishing up a batch of three currently. Feel free to call me if you have questions.
(903)746-0004

I'm one of the the first three and am super excited to get mine! Looking forward to creating a thread showing the rest of the build!

Machined the prototype stock. Pre-inleted on the mill, and left about .35" to hand inlet to the action. It will take me about 2 hrs to finish the inletting and begin refining the stock's shape with a file. I could get the inletting accurate enough on the mill to fit the action, but it becomes a case of diminishing returns. I like to leave a little hand work as it keeps me "intimate" with my work.

The wrist is oversize by about 1/8" on top and bottom, but the thickness is within about .02". Quick work for rasp and chissels.

This is going to be a REALLY nice stalking rifle. Balance will be about 1/2" in front of the action, and I would guess the weight will be about 6 lbs. I can get a good idea of how the rifle will feel with the stock "on". I am liking the way it is turning out.

Update.....

Looking good, Mr. Bradshaw, though methinks it could use a little larger forend...

Best regards,

Glenn

well, your just a stickler for details aren't you

The stock looks fantastic, Bailey. What did the weight come out at?

Ian,

I didn't weigh it ( battery on my scale is dead, keep forgetting to get a replacement). I would guess it to weigh about 6 lbs, balances about 1 1/2" in front of the action.

I am thinking I need one for myself in .303 Brit.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bailey Bradshaw:
... I would guess it to weigh about 6 lbs...QUOTE]

Is that with the special ultra light forend or with a more conventional piece?
Glenn

Been sitting here for a few minutes trying to come up with something witty to write. Coffee hasn't kicked in, so I will just have to weigh it with the "will soon be" forend wood.

Bailey, I can tell you by long experience that if you're planning on matching wits with Glenn, you'll hafta get up mighty early in the AM and have about 2 pots of coffee first. IMO he's one of the sharpest knives in the rack.

He's pretty funny too, but I hafta keep remindin' him that "Looks aren't everything!"
Regards, Joe

OK, weight confirmed at 6.63lbs, ( that is with Glenn's requisit forend wood). Quarter rib will add a little weight, but shouldn't effect the balance very much. BTW, the barrel length as weighed is 25".

Bailey


I'm guessing you and OJ wear the same size gloves :-) ie NOT small.

Bailey,

I picked up the action from my local FFL holder yesterday. It is fabulous! Thanks for the effort and the timely delivery.

Now, please get back to work on my double.

Terry

Making a push to get this one finished.

It's much better balance and lighter than I anticipated. The barrel is different than the one in previous pictures. It's a #2 contour Shilen, so it's a little lighter than the previous barrel as well. As is, it weighs 5 3/4 lbs. Balance point is at the front edge of the action.

I ran a few rounds through it today and am very pleased with the function of the rifle.
Hope you enjoy the pics.

Beautiful Bailey!
And 5 3/4 pounds to boot..
What is the caliber and the barrel length on this particular rifle?
Keep up the pictures when you have time..
Like your classic retro fence BTW.....

Thanks Low Wall,

The barrel is 24", 7x57R. It will be scoped in a few days. It's receiving a little engraving now.

As for the fence....(pause as I jump on my soap box) Hard to get away from, but I HATE barbed wire. Paid too many vet bills for my horses and have seen grusome injuries from this stuff. My shop is on my In-Laws land, and this pasture is right behind my shop.

Bailey,

Your action is a beautiful piece of work. What kind of Wire EDM did you use? I am limited to an older Cincinnatti Milacron sinker EDM.

Any idea on cost once it is in production?

Someday (probably not soon) I would like to talk to you about a similar project idea I had.

thanks

Nathaniel,

I have Fanuc W0 wire EDM. I also have an Elox sinker I purchased last year. Still learning the sinker's ideosycracies.

I am in production on the actions. $1450 for the action itself, $4500 for a finished rifle like the one pictured. Of course I can supply a barreled action, inletted wood, shaped stock and so on.

Got her done! Scope will be in Wednesday, and will get it mounted and sighted in this week.

I will be donating one of these to the Dallas Safri club for the Jan. show auction. Same caliber, but with iron sights as well as the quarter rib.

Hope you enjoy it, Thanks for looking.

Wow, now I'm even more excited that I ordered one!