Starting my 98 build

[Shawn.54]

John what is the finish on the 458 I like that look.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

Had a little time to file on the sight.
Shawn

 

[John P.]

John what is the finish on the 458 I like that look.
Shawn

Matte bluing.

I have a bead blaster, using fine potters beads. I bead blast the metal then use the hot caustic bluing tanks.

I will be rust bluing a M77 Ruger in a few days and will post a description and photos. Rust bluing is much simpler process, does not involve the nasty hot caustic solution and the multiple number of tanks and burners. Not to mention the expense of all the hot caustic bluing equipment!

The bead blaster is way in the back of this photo. It is 48 inches wide so a barreled action fits with room to spare.

Bluing tanks set up behind the shop, in an open air lean to for lots of ventilation:

You can rust blue with a minimum of equipment.

 

[ChrisG]

Matte bluing.

I have a bead blaster, using fine potters beads. I bead blast the metal then use the hot caustic bluing tanks.

I will be rust bluing a M77 Ruger in a few days and will post a description and photos. Rust bluing is much simpler process, does not involve the nasty hot caustic solution and the multiple number of tanks and burners. Not to mention the expense of all the hot caustic bluing equipment!

The bead blaster is way in the back of this photo. It is 48 inches wide so a barreled action fits with room to spare.

Bluing tanks set up behind the shop, in an open air lean to for lots of ventilation:

You can rust blue with a minimum of equipment.

Hi John,

Very excited to read about your rust bluing experience. I did a Marlin for a friend of mine a while ago and posted a thread on it here.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/marlin-336-overhaul.38758/
I've only rust blued about 7 guns so I would love to see your process!

 

[Shawn.54]

Ordered reamer today so I will be barreling this weekend now let’s hope reamer makes it on time.
Shawn

 

[mdwest]

Ordered reamer today so I will be barreling this weekend now let’s hope reamer makes it on time.
Shawn

Exciting times!

Finish reaming the chamber was the part of the process on my recent mauser build that made me most nervous.. but also gave me the most satisfaction when I got it "right"..

Im traveling for work this week.. but plan on ordering a barrel for my small ring mauser action as soon as I get back home.. and will be ordering reamers for that one right away.. After the success I experienced building the .35 whelen (largely due to @Shawn.54 's guidance), I cant wait to push my .275 Rigby mauser project kicked further down the road..

 

[Shawn.54]

After work today I stopped at a buddies shop for a little lathe work we set some numbers on the barrel and give it an allowance for finish ream and in less than a hour I have a barrel installed and headspaced.
Now to do the final inleting then on to glass bedding.
Basketball for my son is winding down so my evenings are getting clearer.
Should go faster now.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

[
Another small step forward with the 404 Jeffery I have a little more wood to work but it’s in the stock now i roughed in the cutout for bolt.
Checked the feeding with the real barrel and my sons are not here to do a video of the action at work or help me post it so a still shot is all I have. Towards the end of this week I’ll get it glassed and maybe a test shot.

 

[Hunting Sailor]

Must be exciting for you seeing the parts come together with the plan, I know it is for me reading about it.

Keep up the great work.

//Gus

 

[Shawn.54]

It is exciting as it comes together and it has been fun I have cases dies and my bullets are on order with GS Customs. I just need to decide which powder to get.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

No work done on the rifle so far this week (basketball games Monday Tuesday and Wednesday) but I did order a quart of tung oil and incerts for my front sit.
I may start some glass bedding tonight or at least masking off the action and stock.
Shawn

 

[Shootist43]

Shawn, what are you using for a front sight? Are you referring to various colors of Fiber Optics? A long time ago I ordered three front sights for my Marlin 336 C. Black, Red and Green. I put the red sight on first, it worked great at the range, however in low light conditions it was all but useless. I removed it and installed the green sight which worked much better at dawn and dusk.

 

[Shawn.54]

I cheated on my front sight a fellow I work with had a Lyman Globe sight with the incerts. The ones that come with the sight are fairly blocky and even out of center I found replacements on line that are much better quality. I may shoot a little and find out which ones I like best and have it cerakoted a bright color when I have my rifle done.
Shawn

 

[Shootist43]

I have inserts like that for my 22 Target rifles and Olympic grade Air rifles. I've never thought about using them in a hunting rifle. The diameter options for my rifles are all target specific.

 

[Shawn.54]

Finally got it glassed and got first coat of tung oil on it no pics yet but I decided not to stain the stock first. I did notice that the stock has a lot of pores.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

I could not resist I loaded a few rounds and gave it a test fire and it went bang next shot I’ll install the recoil pad wood stock on bare shoulder is a little rough.
Shawn

 

[mdwest]

wood stock on bare shoulder is a little rough.

OUCH!

404J is reportedly pretty "soft" hitting for a big bore..

but.. ummmmm... I have no interest in touching one off without a big thick juicy recoil pad attached...

 

[Shawn.54]

The plan was to grab a heavy winter coat but I got side tracked a bit stepped out on back deck and let it fly.
My son asked if it hurt I said it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Then he pointed out the red mark on my shoulder. Live and learn.
Shawn

 

[GuttormG]

Do you have an additional recoil lug on the barrel?


My 404-project is moving forward, barrel and action sent off to the smith and a nice heavy box with bullets came the other day. Dieset on order from Hornady. Slowly-slowly☺

 

[Shawn.54]

Do you have an additional recoil lug on the barrel?


My 404-project is moving forward, barrel and action sent off to the smith and a nice heavy box with bullets came the other day. Dieset on order from Hornady. Slowly-slowly☺

No extra lug just a heavy glass job on the lug that is there.
On the dies Hornady dies the crimp ring is very low in the dies and a lot of people set the die to deep and crush the brass.
Shawn