older (special) rifle project

[mtwarden]

Going to put a few coats of TruOil on the interior of the stock, under the butt pad and stock cap- all of this wood was completely untreated- dried wood, should soak it up pretty good

 

[eaglemountainman]

Going to put a few coats of TruOil on the interior of the stock, under the butt pad and stock cap- all of this wood was completely untreated- dried wood, should soak it up pretty good

Going to put a few coats of TruOil on the interior of the stock, under the butt pad and stock cap- all of this wood was completely untreated- dried wood, should soak it up pretty good

TruOil is not a very good moisture barrier. It makes a pretty finish for a display rifle, but I would never consider it for the harsh wet conditions that a hunting rifle encounters.

I would strongly suggest Permalyn Sealer and Permalyn Finish, instead. Its a blend of oils and urethane polymers. I've been using it for years refinishing stocks, with great results. Finish is a rich warm satin luster. I also routinely apply Renaissance Wax to all my firearms, both wood and metal surfaces. Protects without a high shine.

Nothing prettier than a Featherweight

 

[mtwarden]

I'll look into those. A satin finish for the stock would definitely be nice

I'm guessing the Tru-Oil will be at least a step up from the totally untreated wood it's going on.

 

[Wrench]

Do a little google foo on tru oil and armor-all. I've done it on a few stocks with success. I agree tru isn't the best choice, but once it's built up and worked in.....it's certainly good enough.

 

[Wrench]

Ps the armor-all is a MAJOR time saver.

 

[mtwarden]

Ps the armor-all is a MAJOR time saver.

guitar, but guessing similar results- interesting

https://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=30377.0

 

[Wrench]

guitar, but guessing similar results- interesting

https://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=30377.0

Exactly what I did and experienced. Turns out great.

 

[mtwarden]

Almost a year, so an update warranted

Got the rifle back from the gunsmith- I was derelict in procrastinating getting it to him.

He put a lighter trigger spring (Ernie the Gunsmith spring) in, now breaking at ~ 3.5 lbs.

He bedded the action; hopefully that pays off a little at the range.

Had him replace the factory pad with a Microcell pad- saved about 2 oz there.

He had to fit the PTG bottom metal; sounds like that par for the course- not sure why they couldn't get it sized to drop in????

I was wrong about the rifle coming from the factory with the stock drilled out- my late father-in-law must have done that. Funny even 50 years ago guys were looking to lighten rifles up

The rifle weighed 6# 14 oz when I got it. It now weighs 6# even, so almost a pound savings- an ounce here, an ounce there.

With the Swaro 3.5-10X42 Z3 (12.6 oz) and Talley Lightweight mounts (2.5 oz), I'll be just under 7 lbs- good enough!

 

[Macintosh]

Missed this thread the first time around. Looks great! Bet that’ll stir up some memories carrying that around in AK. Your hunt still on for this coming fall?

 

[mtwarden]

Thanks!

Yeah- first week of August; booked it over two years ago and now it's almost here

 

[ndlawrence]

What an awesome project. I love hunting with a wood stocked rifle. There’s a connection that’s not there with synthetic. Best of luck on your Dall hunt!

 

[wrightjr]

Awesome rifle, and awesome history along with it.

 

[NB7]

Looks good

 

[Decker9]

I missed this one as well!! What a gorgeous rifle!! (As are the other model 70’s in here!). A tip of the hat to anyone still packing the walnut!!

 

[MountainFeral]

How was the hunt? I just got the same rifle from my dad in .270, so this was a great read.

 

[mtwarden]

How was the hunt? I just got the same rifle from my dad in .270, so this was a great read.

Well I took it to the range just prior to the hunt and the bolt wouldn’t full close with a round in it (would fully close on an empty chamber). Didn’t have time to get it repaired and turned around in time so had to go with plan B and brought my little Kimber.

I’ve since had it repaired, the smith put a new extractor in it and it functions fine. It’s possible something went awry when the bolt was fluted, don’t know.

Anyway the rifle sits at 6 lbs, pretty light for a wood stock rifle

 

[eaglemountainman]

Been following this thread because I truly love M70 Featherweights.
What are the details on the Kimber, my other favorite. And how did it perform on the hunt?

 

[mtwarden]

Been following this thread because I truly love M70 Featherweights.
What are the details on the Kimber, my other favorite. And how did it perform on the hunt?

It's a Kimber Hunter in .308- I've cut the barrel to 19" and lightened some other things up, wears a 2-7 Leupold in Tally Lightweight rings- it's 5# 11oz all in.

It did great. Ram was 410 yards, longer shot than I was hoping for- but one shot and lights out.