Custom Rifle Build #1 6.5x55

Decided to post images on the process I've undertaken in school to build a custom rifle. I attend PCC for night classes, so learn the many things I've missed from being self-taught up to now, and also have access to the gear. The final portions of the curriculum require the building of a minimum of two custom rifles from an action. There's other stuff you have to do was such as stocking a two piece, and you can swap a third rifle for some of that work.

So, here's my first. BRNO large ring Mauser action, Shillen barrel at 22" w/ 11 degree target crown, chambered in 6.5x55. Some other earlier work is missing: threading, chambering, crowning, and the rough inletting of the stock with the mill. These pictures pick up the process with the shaping (rasp) state, after the inletting is done.

This week is shaping, cutting the slot for the bolt handle, grinding the recoil pad, gluing up the ebony tip and grip cap.

Thats some nice work you are doing. Keep the pics coming.

I wish I would have taken a course or two. I basically just bought a lathe and started spinning stuff.


CHRIS

CHRIS_WNC said:

I wish I would have taken a course or two. I basically just bought a lathe and started spinning stuff.


CHRIS

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Pics buddy, or it didn't happen

Nice! I went to pcc a long time ago. Brian is a great guy, hes probably the only reason i passed that course. Lots of good memories from that place. Keep up the good work. I think my first rifle took me about 6-7 months to complete

Awesome work. You don't need anything for a color case hardening project do you?

Mr. Bggs said:

Nice! I went to pcc a long time ago. Brian is a great guy, hes probably the only reason i passed that course. Lots of good memories from that place. Keep up the good work. I think my first rifle took me about 6-7 months to complete

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Brian retired, and is now in Ohio. Brian was there during my first two semesters, and then the COVID cancelled one last spring.
We still have Lennie Moore and Spencer Riggan teaching; both of whom are excellent gunsmith’s in their own rights.

It was Pete and Russ when i started and Russ soon retired and then Brian came in. Those were great guys. I hope your having as much fun as we did there. Great times! Good luck with your rifle, it looks nice man.

Shaping the grip so it feels natural sliding up to the trigger. Palm rests nicely under the comb.



Beveled the stock at the ejection. Saw it on another rifle and thought it looked nice.

We made a butter knife bolt handle for this gun. Not yet decided about iron sights or an optic.

Thanks for showing the progress.


CHRIS

Nice work. Keep the pics coming

looking good man! Ive never seen a bolt handle like that before. If i remember correctly we heated our handle and beat it until it had the right angle for the stock. Nice progress on the stock, being able to make the grip thickness just right for your hand is one of the main reasons i wanted to build one.

Mr. Bggs said:

looking good man! Ive never seen a bolt handle like that before. If i remember correctly we heated our handle and beat it until it had the right angle for the stock. Nice progress on the stock, being able to make the grip thickness just right for your hand is one of the main reasons i wanted to build one.

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I’ve seen a few butter knife handles in some nice German double set trigger guns, and wanted to one a try.

looks like its really coming along. I wish i had paid more attention when i was there. As with most schooling in my life, i was goofing off in the back with the other gun junkies. Looks really nice man, cant wait to see it finished up!

Finishing touches for the shape and position of the bolt handle tonight. The bolt forging block is one of the tools you have to make for yourself earlier in the program.

Stock dry, sanded to 220.




Wet with water to raise the grain for whiskering.





Whiskered to 320, bolt bent, now the stock needs to be inlet for the bolt handle.

Looks great! man, i hated making those tools. Congrats to you sir. The feeling you get when you look at the rifle YOU built is hard to match.

Bedding, and ....... I’ll admit it, filling some gaps. Heck, it’s my first so there’s bound to be some issues.

The wood is very pleasing to me. The pictures are after one application of alcanet root oil (like the English use on their doubles).

Where did you get your stock blank? The "roughing" picture made it look like it could easily be turned into a benchrest type stock. The grain is popping now.

CHRIS

The school gets their blanks from Watts Walnut I believe.

Looks amazing!

Drilling and tapping for a one piece Leupold base and rings.

Using a side swing safety, which isn’t quite working but I hear can be fit. Nice trigger through, and the butter knife is nice, but I might shorten it a little bit.

Safety is fit and works well now. Problem was my error. I failed to screw the bolt together completely. Not too experienced with taking bolts apart.
Struck the bottom metal screws flush. I like the lock screw look, so I’m keeping them.

You’re required to do one gun as a high polish. Thought I’d get it over with, so this first one will be polished as such:
45 degree 220 on the wheel
45 degree opposite 320 on the wheel
Lengthwise at 400
Lengthwise at 600
Then three different rouges

These pictures are after 320, and starting 400.



And the caliber stamp.

Thats going to look purtty once its blued.

6.5x55, was that the original cal?

Originally it was 7mm Mauser. Re-barreling is required. I used a Shillen and chambered it.

I like your choice of 6.5x55. Great all around cartridge from small game and up. Not too many people choose that round anymore.

High polish is done. About burned my fingerprints off with the buffing wheels. 3600rpm and friction equals hot. Hope to blue on Monday.
Stock is lacking two more coats and a rub out and then the gun will be done.

Can't wait to see the finished rifle!

Parts prior to hot bluing. Base and rings were polished to match the sheen of the rest of the gun.



Bluing in the tanks.

what and where is PCC?

DC Bigdaddy said:

what and where is PCC?

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Rifle build #1 is complete.

Mauser 98 action
22” Shilen barrel
Chambered in 6.5x55
11 degree target crown
High polish blued
Butter knife bolt handle
Grain filled hand rubbed oil finish
Leupold Vari-XII 3-9 optic
Leupold base and rings
Timney Featherweight trigger

Damn that came out Great!
Nice Workmanship.

Very nice! I know that sling is only temporary until you get a proper leather one ... right?

NCFubar said:

Very nice! I know that sling is only temporary until you get a proper leather one ... right?

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Yes Sir. Don’t know much about good leather slings. Feel free to make a suggestion.

NiceOldDouble said:

Yes Sir. Don’t know much about good leather slings. Feel free to make a suggestion.

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A 1907 military style sling would be my pick.