Refinish old rifle

[joelkdouglas]

Some of you may remember I hunted with an oldish Winchester Model 70 (manufactured in 1965) this year due to my primary rifle getting a new barrel. The rifle happened to be my grandpa's, though we never hunted together. I didn't even know he hunted until my dad gave me his rifle, and my dad doesn't hunt.

I was perfectly content leaving grandpa's rifle to sit in the guncase to collect dust until the day I had to use it. Now I realize it shoots good groups, but I don't like the stock (monte carlo's and I don't get along). The stock also is somewhat worn and could be refinished. As an aside, it also needs some metal refinishing or new barrel, maybe some action work to make it smoother, etc. I'm also thinking about converting it to a .338-06, as I already have another .30-06. But I'm starting with the stock. This whole process could take quite a bit of time.

I'm hoping to make this rifle pretty. I got this hunk of wood from Cecil Fredi in Las Vegas, and he sent it to Lenny Standish in Stevensville, MT, who's doing the inletting and stock shaping. When I get it back it will need sanded, won't be checkered, won't have any finish or recoil pad, etc. But it should be shaped and inletted for the action.

Anyway, here's the pictures of the wood chunk. The one I got was the bottom one, all the pictures are the same 2 pieces of wood. It's claro walnut.

 

[SJB358]

Joel, you are pretty building my dream rifle -.020"! I would absolutely love an M70 with a piece of wood on it like that in the Whelen or even the 338-06. I think you are doing a great thing. I can't imagine anything nicer. Good luck with your build up and keep us posted. I'm already pretty jealous! That will be a sweet rifle. Beautiful piece of wood. Dang- the thoughts rolling through my head right now!

 

[DrMike]

That is certainly a handsome stick of wood. The rifle will be lovely, undoubtedly.

 

[6mm Remington]

Joel so many decisions to make. Whatever you do it will be all yours and just exactly how you wanted it. That sounds pretty cool to me!
David

P.S. - take photo's as this goes along so we can see it through the steps of the build!

 

[JD338]

Joel so many decisions to make. Whatever you do it will be all yours and just exactly how you wanted it. That sounds pretty cool to me!
David

P.S. - take photo's as this goes along so we can see it through the steps of the build!

+1

JD338

 

[BK]

+2! Gun porn!

 

[35 Whelen]

Awesome idea .................. keep us updated with pictures! Good Luck with the project.

 

[Win_94]

That is so cool! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Elkman]

Its going to be real pretty!!! Looking forward to the photos as you go along.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Joel, great looking wood. I hope that it go together well and finshes up as nice as it looks!

 

[FOTIS]

Step by step picture please! :mrgreen:

 

[joelkdouglas]

I don't have any pic updates yet. The wood blank arrived at Lenny Standish's shop last week, and the rifle arrived yesterday. Lenny said he had 2 other stocks to shape and then he would get to mine.

I requested a stock shaped with a schnabel forend and no cheek piece / no monte carlo. Pretty much a Winchester Featherweight pattern minus the cheek piece.

Here's a picture that inspiring this project, though. I won't have any engraving done, and I don't know how the stock will look finished, but I think I can get somewhat close.

Anyone have a guess how the finished this stock? Do you think they added a stain?

I'm digging the red recoil pad also.

 

[DrMike]

That is a fine looking pattern to work with. I do like the lines of the Featherweight. I'm certain your stock maker will do a good job; he does have some fine material with which to begin the project. You say you will have no engraving, but you do intend to add some checkering, don't you? The checkering is more than decorative; it assists in providing grip under less than ideal conditions.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

That rifle looks like it has a very long LoP. Beautiful it is.

I think you're going to be extremely satisfied when all is said and done.

 

[joelkdouglas]

That is a fine looking pattern to work with. I do like the lines of the Featherweight. I'm certain your stock maker will do a good job; he does have some fine material with which to begin the project. You say you will have no engraving, but you do intend to add some checkering, don't you? The checkering is more than decorative; it assists in providing grip under less than ideal conditions.

Yes, checkering for sure. That will probably be the biggest cost in the entire stock building process, as I am not confident in my ability to do it myself. I was thinking a nice fleur de lis pattern or something of that sort.

On the engraving I mean I won't have any engraving done on the metal. The picture of the rifle above has fancy engraving on the receiver and bottom metal.

 

[DrMike]

I am well aware of the cost of checkering; but when it is done well, it justifies the expense. You are certainly making a most handsome rifle. It should give you many years of pleasure.