your ideas please

[fe352v8]

I posted originally on the single shot forum but figure this might be a better spot.

I had customer unable to pay me, so I took a Dakota Arms Model 10 magnum action (un-barreled) in the white, as a partial payment.  It has a .375 extractor.  I have decided to make it into a rifle.  I like octagonal barrels, but Dakota is unwilling to do this, and they are very proud $$$$ of what they will do.  Here is what I am thinking so far

1.Lilja barrel, octagonal 24” long
2.Wichita Arms chamber (375 H&H), fit barrel, make and/or mount quarter rib, iron sights, and EAW bases
3.Wenig to make and fit stock and bed action
4.Will mount a Schmidt & Bender 1-4X20, that I found in an estate sale

As I can stretch this project out intend to have it engraved.

Could use suggestions on everything, finish, barrel, smiths, whatever.  The only thing I have is the action and scope.  I want an octagonal barrel and wood for a stock.  I have a 50-70 roller and 30-06, so I like the idea of a .375 H&H, I have no idea what I will use it for, but the project seems exciting, and it is better than a box of parts.

Your help and ideas are greatly appreciated, thanks.

Life is no joke but funny things happen

jon

[gunnut69]

Sounds like a project to me..  I like the contrast of a color cased action with a rust blued barrel.  For a 375 on a dakota I'd stay with english walnut, with a little marble cake figure..  A bit staid perhaps but I'm a conservative I suppose..  Perhaps gold plate the internals to preclude rust..  A very nice checkering pattern at a fairly high line count and your in business.  How about a leather covered pad? decelerator of course!

[fe352v8]

Gunnut,

Thanks, I also like the contrast.  My roller is engraved and case hardened, but the engraving which is deep relief seems to get lost, I was thinking of something like a French gray for the receiver, action lever, quarter rib, and rings, have no experience with this finish as to durability and such, but thought it would high-light the engraving.  Thinking something along the lines of American style such as on early colts

Can you tell me more about platting the internals, I have been leaning towards rust bluing for the barrel or even black chrome, slightly matte in finish, as I prefer, “under stated elegance”, also.

You mentioned a decelerator pad, how are they compared to limb savers, I really like the idea of the leather covered pad.  I agree with you about the stock, Wenigs is close to me and I have seen some shotguns they have done.  Thinking of maybe 24 lines to the inch checkering with ribbons.   It is my desire to make this not only a nice shooting rifle, but also, a good-looking one, sort of an over powered stalking gun with an American flavor.

What do you think about twist rates 1 in 12, 1in 14, 1 in …..

Thanks again any other ideas greatly appreciated, as I have never had the opportunity to “make” a rifle the way I want it, and probably will not again, so it is a one shot deal.

Life is no joke but funny things happen

jon

[gunnut69]

French gray in it's natural form is simply pickled (acid etched) bare steel, usually protected by a coat of varnish.  I'd use a bead blasted receiver and have it hard chromed or armaloyed(no rust problems).  The engraver would have to do his/her work after the bead blasting but before the plating.  Would leave a little room in the design for some raised firures on the cheeks..  As to the scope mounts I think I'd lean towards S&K skulptured rigs and have the quarter rib machined for them to mount to.  They are fairly simple to do.  Mainly a hole with set screws threaded on each side to retain the rings.  They make a very attractive mount and are quite strong..  The 375 is a stout recoiling caliber but a good pad would help a lot.  As I said before I've only done a few of the 'LimbSaver' pads but really haven't liked the way they finish.  Pachmeyers always seemed easier though they also have special needs.  With the leather cover it should really make no difference.  I would lean toward a standard twist rate of 1/12.  This would allow the use of normal ammo and still function well with lighter bulelts.  I'd lean toward a Rigby Farquarson(sp) style stalking or perhaps express rifle.  The 1/14 twist would gone more to that idea of the express rifle(lighter bullets@higher velocities) but limit the use of the real heavies in this caliber, such as the 300 grain Nosler Partition...  You could consider an octogon to round configuration for the barrel to lighten it even more.  With a light barrel profile and an express rifle format I'd go toward a longish barrel to ring out the last few FPS.  With the short Dakato action it would still make for a graceful weapon..  A well done rust blue is a really great finsh.  They usually produce a subtle matte finish and when sealed with a good wax are very rust resistant.   As to plating the internals it was the practive of H&H and others to gold plate the internals of their best rifles.  Gold was the usual material.  It receives little wear, other than at contact points and has a natual lubricity.  It also absolutely protects the great bulk to the working parts against any possibility of rust interfering with the mechanism.  Engine turning would add even more eye appeal and help retain a bit of oil on the surface(the original reason for engine turning).  You might also check whether Lilja can machine the front sling stud as part of the octogon milling operation.  Be certain to specify a bit of cast off and perhaps a little chamber in the toe to make the rifle fit you perfectly..  Really sounds like an interesting project!!!

[fe352v8]

Gunnut,

Thanks, your ideas are greatly appreciated.   I'll keep you apprised as things develope.

life is no joke but funny things happen

jon