Second rifle

[DrMike]

That really sounds like a great plan, Joel. It will be an interesting build.

 

[Guest]

Begging the question, what is this PF Winnie, now? Is it a duplicate 30-06? Or do you have a "second rifle" you don't care for and are going to change up?

 

[joelkdouglas]

dubyam,

Yep, it's a 30-06 also. It was my grandpa's, and my dad gave it to me a couple of years ago. I never hunted with my grandpa, or even knew he hunted. And I've been working on a new stock for it, as I don't care for the original. I dislike monte carlos.

The weird part is I have tried to warm up to using it more, as my rifle was getting a new barrel last hunting season and I used Grandpa's rifle for rifle season. But when I got "my" rifle back I pretty much lost interest in Grandpa's rifle again.

I obviously need a backup, as I needed one last year. So maybe if I get it rechambered to a 25 caliber, supposedly perfect for deer, I'll warm to it and it won't collect so much dust.

That's the long version of why I say I only have one rifle, even though there are two in the safe. One just never gets used, and I don't have a strong feeling of ownership.

 

[6mm Remington]

I obviously need a backup, as I needed one last year. So maybe if I get it rechambered to a 25 caliber, supposedly perfect for deer, I'll warm to it and it won't collect so much dust.

That's the long version of why I say I only have one rifle, even though there are two in the safe. One just never gets used, and I don't have a strong feeling of ownership.

Once you work your magic on it Joel, then it will mean something to you, a whole lot of something. Get it chambered and finished the way you want it, then pick out the perfect stock that is right just for you, and you will have a winner. I don't care what caliber it is. That 25-06 is hard to beat for deer, antelope, coyotes, chucks, and lots of other critters up to elk. But then so would a 6.5-06. That would be a sweetheart with some pretty amazing ballistics. Stick with that long action and make it into a 6mm-06 (I'm feeling misty. Must have something in my eye!), and then you would have a hot-rod 6mm that would be a laser on deer, antelope, and smaller critters. It would also be simple to neck down 25-06 brass so that would never be an issue.

So now that you have narrowed it down, fill us in on what caliber, scope, stock, and other goodies you got planned? :grin: Just trying to help.
David

 

[257 Ackley]

After careful consideration, I think I'm going to use the long action PF Win 70 in my safe for a...

25-06

Or still in the running is a 257 Roberts

It is kind of cheating, or at a minimum I'm indecisive. I would like a pure range rifle, but you guys are right--I would benefit from a good backup first.

And so many of you have good points about chamberings, but almost all are in a short action. Just seems like a waste to use the long action for that. But a Ruger #1 in 22-250 would be sweet.

If you like the velocity of the 25-06 and the 257 Robert caliber intrigues you, get it chambered in the 257 Ackley. Unique and a great deer slayer that can take advantage of a long action when it comes to seating the bullets out further.

 

[BK]

Hmmm, how did I know you might suggest that...

After careful consideration, I think I'm going to use the long action PF Win 70 in my safe for a...

25-06

Or still in the running is a 257 Roberts

It is kind of cheating, or at a minimum I'm indecisive. I would like a pure range rifle, but you guys are right--I would benefit from a good backup first.

And so many of you have good points about chamberings, but almost all are in a short action. Just seems like a waste to use the long action for that. But a Ruger #1 in 22-250 would be sweet.

If you like the velocity of the 25-06 and the 257 Robert caliber intrigues you, get it chambered in the 257 Ackley. Unique and a great deer slayer that can take advantage of a long action when it comes to seating the bullets out further.

 

[257 Ackley]

Kurt -
The sad thing is that it's not getting used much anymore . Built on a great pre-64 Winchester action and it has become a safe queen. Last deer I shot with it was in 2009. I don't think I have shot it since than.

 

[DrMike]

That is just wrong, Joel. That has to be rectified.

 

[joelkdouglas]

So now that you have narrowed it down, fill us in on what caliber, scope, stock, and other goodies you got planned? :grin: Just trying to help.
David

I feel like I should stay with wood / blued like it was originally, but the 1965 stocks were simply terrible. Pressed checkering, ugly wood, monte carlo, the works.

I was re-shaping a hunk of claro, and had big plans to make it perfect. Well, I think I shaved a bit too much off the grip cap, and now when I shoulder it my pinky won't stay on the stock, slips below the cap. Not a huge deal, but I'm not going to send it off to get hand checkered unless it's perfect.

In the short term, I found a long action Winny Supergrade stock for $360 or so on Ebay, and she's got some nice grains and waves. I'll try and post a picture tonight. The stock was also $200 less than having a stock checkered costs, for what that's worth.

It's inlet for 1 piece bottom metal, and the rifle came with 2 piece. So I ordered some Williams bottom metal to fix that problem (another $170), on backorder from Midway.

I ordered a Rock Creek 25 caliber barrel, and the wait for it will likely be longer than the bottom metal anyway. I'm leaning 25-06 now simply for the commonality between it and the 30-06. Same shell holders, same powders, same primers, etc. I think it would be a good enough backup for elk even with 115 grain Partitions, and will likely be the primary deer rifle. I bet that 110 grain AccuBond is a great deer / antelope / caribou bullet. I'm sure the 6mm or 6.5mm would be great also.

 

[Guest]

Joel, if you're looking for a fix for your claro project, you could always install a contrasting grip cap, in ebony or rosewood or maple or whatever you like. It would offer you the opportunity to lengthen the grip just a smidge and ultimately make it more comfortable for your little finger. Just a thought. Of course, I hear you on the cost of work and snagging a nice supergrade stock is a good substitute, even if just for a short time. I suspect you could re-sell the supergrade stock in the future if you decided to move to the claro.

Sounds like this project is shaping up nicely. Keep us posted.

 

[SJB358]

Joel, that Super Grade stock on your rifle should look awesome. The 25-06 is one of them cartridges I would really like to have again. It is a pretty sweet cartridge with a million good ways to load it.

 

[wildgene]

Joel, that Super Grade stock on your rifle should look awesome. "The .25 WSSM is one of them cartridges I would really like to have". It is a pretty sweet cartridge with a million good ways to load it.

[(subliminal msgs.)]

 

[BK]

Sorry, Gene, my only use for a .25 WSSM is for a donor for a .358 WSSM.

 

[SJB358]

Joel, that Super Grade stock on your rifle should look awesome. "The .25 WSSM is one of them cartridges I would really like to have". It is a pretty sweet cartridge with a million good ways to load it.

[(subliminal msgs.)]

Gene, Brian has gotten in my head pretty hard with the WSSM's. He got a 243 WSSM upper, so I might have to strike back with either a 25 or 264WSSM... It'll be in an AR though...