wildcatter
Beginner
- Jan 11, 2025
- 13
- 58
It's been nearly 30 years since I built me first 257 AI, and a week ago I took possession of my second. I have built 2 6mm Rem. AI in that time, which is on the same case, and my favorite in these calibers. Both about as efficient as you can get for the caliber. But I found the 257 AI was just dang near perfect. So the plan was, since Fred agreed to build the stock, I'd order a 25 cal. 1-10 twist 28" HV barrel. meantime I would find a donor action, and acquire the components and dies cutters, and mandrels to make this all happen while waiting on the barrel and stock to happen.
So I started looking for another Axis action, my 3rd now. I thought about the stainless steel I already had, but while waiting I found this. A brand new Youth model in a Muddy Girl camo stock, in 223? it was under 200 dollars, Brand New,, because it did not have a bolt?? But that was no problem for Fred, and I got a needed short mag for the 223 case to use in my custom Axis repeater that Fred built in 17 Mach IV. Sold the scope for 50 bucks, got a new magazine, and for less that 250 investment had the action and bolt.
So after building the stock, that I told Fred if we didn't like it, because we had no idea what a Walnut laminate would look like with alternating grain? He started on the action, first bushing the bolt head for the smaller firing pin, and tuning the ignition system,,then blueprinting the action and timing everything. While attained all the dies, neck turning mandrels, Bullets, brass, and scope, then got everything sized turned and ready.
As you see I started this project with the idea I would use 30/06 Lapua brass, as it was all I could find from Lapua that would work. But shortly after I sized a couple, and cut and trimmed them, I did some more searching. and finally in Canada I found the bronze gold! Lapua 8x57 Mauser Brass, in stock, but only 100 rounds. Whis was fine with me, as after building the last 2 6mm Rem AI rifles. I knew how good this brass is. It is the most consistent and the strongest cases I've found in this series of cartridges. I can stand em extremely hard, and the heads don't grow, and the primer pockets stay tight. But sizing down means neck turning even for a no turn reamer. I had some 7x57 AI and 257 AI made on R_P brass I sized down for those pictures.
I finally got the barrel before the first of the year, and last week fred walked into the clubhouse my gun case in hand on range maintenance day last week. I had told him when I dropped it of I wanted the barrel finished at 26" with 6-1/4" flutes starting 2.5" from the muzzle and extending to 4" in front of the receiver. As I walked over and opened the case, I was quite happy. I had finished the stock after sanding, with several coats of boiled Linseed Oil, then 4 coats, sanding between each with Deft Satin Urethane. So I knew how good the stock looked, but the Fluted then polished Brux barrel, really made it pop!! At least I felt it was well worth this wait to me! I guess it just don't take much to make me happy?
So I started looking for another Axis action, my 3rd now. I thought about the stainless steel I already had, but while waiting I found this. A brand new Youth model in a Muddy Girl camo stock, in 223? it was under 200 dollars, Brand New,, because it did not have a bolt?? But that was no problem for Fred, and I got a needed short mag for the 223 case to use in my custom Axis repeater that Fred built in 17 Mach IV. Sold the scope for 50 bucks, got a new magazine, and for less that 250 investment had the action and bolt.
So after building the stock, that I told Fred if we didn't like it, because we had no idea what a Walnut laminate would look like with alternating grain? He started on the action, first bushing the bolt head for the smaller firing pin, and tuning the ignition system,,then blueprinting the action and timing everything. While attained all the dies, neck turning mandrels, Bullets, brass, and scope, then got everything sized turned and ready.
As you see I started this project with the idea I would use 30/06 Lapua brass, as it was all I could find from Lapua that would work. But shortly after I sized a couple, and cut and trimmed them, I did some more searching. and finally in Canada I found the bronze gold! Lapua 8x57 Mauser Brass, in stock, but only 100 rounds. Whis was fine with me, as after building the last 2 6mm Rem AI rifles. I knew how good this brass is. It is the most consistent and the strongest cases I've found in this series of cartridges. I can stand em extremely hard, and the heads don't grow, and the primer pockets stay tight. But sizing down means neck turning even for a no turn reamer. I had some 7x57 AI and 257 AI made on R_P brass I sized down for those pictures.
I finally got the barrel before the first of the year, and last week fred walked into the clubhouse my gun case in hand on range maintenance day last week. I had told him when I dropped it of I wanted the barrel finished at 26" with 6-1/4" flutes starting 2.5" from the muzzle and extending to 4" in front of the receiver. As I walked over and opened the case, I was quite happy. I had finished the stock after sanding, with several coats of boiled Linseed Oil, then 4 coats, sanding between each with Deft Satin Urethane. So I knew how good the stock looked, but the Fluted then polished Brux barrel, really made it pop!! At least I felt it was well worth this wait to me! I guess it just don't take much to make me happy?