Starting my 98 build

[mdwest]

impressed!

 

[Shawn.54]

Well I have been away from the gun work for a while I had to turn my attention to firewood my family doesn’t like to be cold I think they are soft. Had to become a small engine repair man for a while now it’s back to gunsmith this week I hope.
Shawn

 

[The_Wanderer]

Cant wait to see how this looks when its finished- Thanks for taking the time to post

 

[Shawn.54]

Well I hate to say it but the 404 Jeffery has been put on hold for a while bear season starts Saturday then Thanksgiving followed by deer season then Christmas and flintlock season. Then I will return to gun work and hopefully have the 404 finished in time to shoot a spring groundhog.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

Just a little message to let everyone know that work will on the 404 Jeffery will soon begin again soon. With holidays and hunting I have not been very active with this project but in a week or so my attention will turn back to the build.
And I’ll start giving it all my attention.
And spare cash.
Shawn

 

[Rob404]

Been following your progress Shawn, time to get back to work

 

[Shawn.54]

One more week of hunting and a week for funds to rebuild. I’ll get a reamer and gage set ordered for first week in February.

 

[John P.]

Hey welcome back. I am starting a 338 Win Mag build on a Ruger M77 tang safety action. The rifle will be used for Elk Hunting way back in the Snake River country of Eastern Oregon and will spend a lot of time in a scabbard tied to a saddle horse. Thus the choice of components. More photos and information over on the AR site in the Medium Bores forum.

 

[mdwest]

I've got to give a quick shout out to @Shawn.54 !

I've had a large ring mauser project that I have been working on slowly for the better part of a year (maybe longer???)..

Im not a gunsmith, and not a machinist.. but I really wanted to "build" a rifle on a mauser action from beginning to end.. if for no other reason the experience and the fun in trying..

I initially did some work on a barreled action (8x57) and thought I was done..

but then after seeing this thread decided I really wanted to try rebarreling the action to convert the rifle to .35 whelen, and make a few other improvements and changes..

I hit a couple of stumbling blocks along the way.. and also got to a couple of places where my confidence started to run out a bit.. I THOUGHT I knew what I was doing, but wasnt 100% certain..

Recognizing @Shawn.54 's mauser knowledge and skills.. I reached out to him for assistance and advice on a couple of things a while back.. that initial reach out turned into almost a 4 month long conversation, with a LOT of knowledge, wisdom, and help provided along the way..

End result... I took the final step last night and finished the chamber on my new .35 Whelen, built on a 1937 VZ24 action.. I now have a functioning rifle..

All that is left to do is to take it to the range and confirm that it shoots straight.. once that is complete, I'll spray it down with a duracoat finish and let that cure for a couple of weeks.. and then my wife will have a nice new (new to her anyway..) mid bore rifle to add to her arsenal.. All the hard work is done, and the final product FAR exceeds my initial expectations..

Thanks again @Shawn.54 ! I'm pretty sure I'd still be staring at a box of parts and components and wondering what to do next if I hadn't gotten your help.. Your inputs and assistance are seriously appreciated.. I owe you one..

Now on to the small ring mauser project that has been standing by while I milked @Shawn.54 for knowledge..

I'm thinking this one will likely go smooth as silk now that I have a little better understanding of what works, what doesnt, and why...

 

[Shawn.54]

I've got to give a quick shout out to @Shawn.54 !

I've had a large ring mauser project that I have been working on slowly for the better part of a year (maybe longer???)..

Im not a gunsmith, and not a machinist.. but I really wanted to "build" a rifle on a mauser action from beginning to end.. if for no other reason the experience and the fun in trying..

I initially did some work on a barreled action (8x57) and thought I was done..

but then after seeing this thread decided I really wanted to try rebarreling the action to convert the rifle to .35 whelen, and make a few other improvements and changes..

I hit a couple of stumbling blocks along the way.. and also got to a couple of places where my confidence started to run out a bit.. I THOUGHT I knew what I was doing, but wasnt 100% certain..

Recognizing @Shawn.54 's mauser knowledge and skills.. I reached out to him for assistance and advice on a couple of things a while back.. that initial reach out turned into almost a 4 month long conversation, with a LOT of knowledge, wisdom, and help provided along the way..

End result... I took the final step last night and finished the chamber on my new .35 Whelen, built on a 1937 VZ24 action.. I now have a functioning rifle..

All that is left to do is to take it to the range and confirm that it shoots straight.. once that is complete, I'll spray it down with a duracoat finish and let that cure for a couple of weeks.. and then my wife will have a nice new (new to her anyway..) mid bore rifle to add to her arsenal.. All the hard work is done, and the final product FAR exceeds my initial expectations..

Thanks again @Shawn.54 ! I'm pretty sure I'd still be staring at a box of parts and components and wondering what to do next if I hadn't gotten your help.. Your inputs and assistance are seriously appreciated.. I owe you one..

Now on to the small ring mauser project that has been standing by while I milked @Shawn.54 for knowledge..

I'm thinking this one will likely go smooth as silk now that I have a little better understanding of what works, what doesnt, and why...

Thanks mdwest I try to help wherever I can, I try to learn as much as I can and share what I can.
I think I’m back in the mood to finish the 404 now that hunting season is over freeer is full not by my hunting skills but my two sons I added 1 tiny doe shot with a 375 Ruger they done the rest.
I’m going to start with ordering a glass bedding kit this week and reamer and gages next. That should finish me up on assembly.
Glad to help and if I can do anything more just ask.
Shawn

 

[Rob404]

Good going Shawn

 

[John P.]

Looking good Shawn.

Think about the stock a little: Drop at the comb and heel of the stock plus cast off and the sights will line up naturally.

My stock measurements: 5/8" drop at front of comb. 1-5/8" drop at heel. 1/2" cast off. 14-1/4" length of pull. When I close my eyes and shoulder the gun, then open the eyes, the sights line up without having to tilt my head or scrunch up on the stock. Look at photos of old African guns built by the European and British makers. A quick try fit of an iron sighted rifle: Standing in front of a mirror, shoulder the gun for your sight picture. If the eyes are level, the fit is OK. If your head is tilted and your eyes are not level, the stock does not fit properly. Cast off also reduces felt recoil.

Who will you order reamer from? I have lots of PTG reamers but the guys over on AR are saying they are having problems with PTG and prefer Manson. My 404 reamer and gauge are both PTG: I bought them around 15 years ago. My next reamer will be from Manson.

And a plus on the recommendations for a rod in the wrist of the stock. I use a length of grade 8 all thread and epoxy in with AcraGlass.

I build my own stocks so I can make them any way I want them. Look close at the stock blank in the photo: One vertical pencil line in the center of the butt, the line to the right is 1/2" distance, this stock will have the 1/2" cast off. The black pattern on the left was made by me, it has the drop at heel and comb and the cast off required to fit me. This pattern is for a CZ550 magnum action. I will be making a proper fitting pattern for a M98 soon as I have several M98 rifles in work. Note the center of the duplicator is at the 1/2" cast off point.

26 Patterns hanging and I always find a need to make another one!!!

 

[John P.]

An interesting 404 by Harald Wolf. Note the drop at comb and at heel.

 

[John P.]

Another one by Harald Wolf. Note the drop at heel and comb.

 

[Shawn.54]

John I’m going to rent the reamer and gages I cannot justifie buying for 1 rifle. Either 4D or Elk Ridge Reamer Rental.
I’ve decided to have this thing done by March.I love the cast in a stock my flintlock has it.
Shawn

 

[John P.]

John I’m going to rent the reamer and gages I cannot justifie buying for 1 rifle. Either 4D or Elk Ridge Reamer Rental.
I’ve decided to have this thing done by March.I love the cast in a stock my flintlock has it.
Shawn

Damn I wish you were my neighbor: I would loan you the reamer.

 

[Shootist43]

FedX, UPS, or USPS charges are minimal. The package can be insured for whatever value is required.

 

[Shawn.54]

Glass bedding kit was ordered today hope to have it early next week. I decided to make a hood for my front sight so now in the planning stages of that.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

Now what is the recommendation for stock finish.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

I will also add that I’m waiting for a heavy package from GS Customs.
Shawn