Well, looks like I got it done in time for the AZ state champs. I'll test it out this Sunday at McAlice's HP match out at Colorado Rifle Club. Preliminary testing (shouldering) tells me that it fits me incredibly well. Nice cheek weld, and the bit of hook that I was able to work into the grip area seems to give me a really solid purchase without slipping. I also was able to slightly move the action forward to allow for my long fingers (I can palm a basketball).

I dropped my camera a while back and haven't taken the initiative to send it into Nikon for repair so the photos aren't very crisp in some places.

Overall, for a "working rifle", I think I am happy with how it turned out. It's not my best work by any means, but it will do fine for silhouette and hunting here in Colorado. Yes, this is my hunting rifle too. Everything was done by hand except for truing up the top (router) and for cutting the inlet (drillpress). Carving chisels, files and sandpaper. The stock is some species of walnut and was rough cut YEARS ago. The origin of the stock is unknown and was given to me by a good friend. About 20 to 30 years ago I would assume is when it was rough cut. So it was DRY, but unfortunately it was also a little soft in some areas. I found that out AFTER I was nearing completion of my first attempt at putting on the Pilkington's oil finish. I was finding fingernail dents and unexplained handling marks in the wood. Bummer, too soft for heavy use. Had to strip the finish off and soak the stock with a wood stabilizer to harden it up. That seemed to work dandy, but I had to change up my type of finish. The finished product is a combination of Minwax wood hardener and Deft lacquer. Not my preferred method, but it worked out ok. We'll see how it holds up. 7mm-08 Remington 700 Stainless DBM.

I know you yahoos like picture books instead of reading... so here you go.

This photo shows the stock in the rough after I took a little wood off the cheek rest area to see what I was dealing with.

Beautiful, just one slight problem it is not a 6.5X47.

Mary

Looks great Trent. I agree with Mary that it should have been a 6.5x47, but then again this way you can have McAlice load for you

(or borrow his brass )

BEAUTIFUL rifle Trent. I bet you are very proud of how it turned out.

Bob259...I like your thought process of having McAlice reload for him.

Innocent

Beautiful stock. Only one problem. It's wood.

Jerry G wrote:Beautiful stock. Only one problem. It's wood.

Lets not start down that road.

Bob259 wrote: Looks great Trent. I agree with Mary that it should have been a 6.5x47, but then again this way you can have McAlice load for you

(or borrow his brass )

Actually... 100 rounds of the brass I will be using in AZ is some of McAlice's brass that he gifted to me back when I started in on HP. It was his way of bribing me into the HP game.

So I am using Jim Goodnight's old vest, Bob McAlice's old brass, and Kevin Kellar's old rifle. I think I have some good mojo going for me!

Trent wrote:

Bob259 wrote: Looks great Trent. I agree with Mary that it should have been a 6.5x47, but then again this way you can have McAlice load for you

(or borrow his brass )

Actually... 100 rounds of the brass I will be using in AZ is some of McAlice's brass that he gifted to me back when I started in on HP. It was his way of bribing me into the HP game.

So I am using Jim Goodnight's old vest, Bob McAlice's old brass, and Kevin Kellar's old rifle. I think I have some good mojo going for me!

Remember to put your empties back in his box and replace them with loaded rounds and you're ready to go for round two ;) ...

That came out looking real good, Trent. On time and under budget. Nice job. I like the concept of one tool for harvesting steel and meat. I really like that sunshade adapter ring, too.

259, those 100 cases were tired after 28 firings, so rather than throw them out I pawned them off on the new guy.

Bob told me not to worry about all the cracks in the cases he gave me. He said that was normal and the brass was just getting worn in. He also said that it was standard to have to use superglue to hold the primers in. I dunno, I think McAlice might confusing me with the recycling bin.

Trent, tell me you did not load up that crap to use in AZ. Don't worry...I will bring my broken case extractor along just in case. You might not get all five shots down range before the clock runs out.

Nah! I have 200 Winchester cases with one firing and 100 R-P cases that are in good shape.

I think I've fired the hundred cases you gave me 3 or 4 times now and tossed five due to signs of failure.

Mach 2 wrote:You did a fantastic job. Great fitting and attention to detail especially at the DBM cut out. I like that razor thin grip cap and the trim looks of the wood forward of the magazine. Well done,Trent. Shoot straight in Arizona. Good luck.

Thanks! The grip cap is Rosewood. Forgot to mention that. That DBM cutout and fitting the bottom metal was tougher than I thought it would be.

One thing that bugs me is the way the wood is darker at the wood by the butt pad. It shows up more in the photos than it seems to in hand. Regardless, it fits me so nicely that I am super happy with it. Not bad for a metal guy!