Constructive Criticism for a Custom Rifle

B

Beaver Skin

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Lower Mainland, BC
I've posted a couple of times about pieces and parts of a project that I'm about to start and I thought that some constructive criticism would be good work out some of the finer details before I get too deep :D . Differing opinions are welcomed and encouraged but please, for this to be of benefit to me and hopefully others, justify why or how you've come to your conclusions and don't just "bark and run". :runaway: We all have preferences in firearms and this could be interesting to see how and why we like what we do.

The rifle in question will be primarily for moose and large game and is ment to split the difference between my 30-06 and 375H&H. I love the 375 on game and it is wonderfully accurate and, to me, easy to shoot. However, it is heavy at 9 + a bit lbs all up for all day carry. So, to fill the gap I'm looking to put together something a bit lighter but a step up from the 30-06. I've all but decided on the 9.3x62 to fill this slot not only for its capabilities as a big game round but also its history. If I include my 45-70 into the mix all the cartridges in question would be 90+ years old, which to me is kinda neat!

The action is a ZG-47 that I already have. I'm thinking of changing the safety to one by Ed LaPour in the 3 position style. The current safety is good but I've grown up shooting M70s and their safety style to me is second nature.

I'd like this to be as weather proof as possible so a stainless barrel may be appropriate. I'm thinking about a Bevan King or Hyem barrel as I know they both have 9.3 cals available. I'm not sure about the finish. A few have piped up about Gunkote and in the US CeraKote seems more popular. I don't know which if any to use but since I like irons on a rifle, a stainless barrel and blued irons would look wrong, IMHO.

As for sights, it will wear irons - NECG?? Thoughts?? The scope I have which is a VXIII in 2.5-8X. The rings will be Talley as they fit the double square bridge on the action so no debate there.

Finally, McMillan seems to be the only manufacturer that I've spoken to who confirms that their mauser stock can easily be made to fit the ZG-47 action. I may make a wood stock later but for now, and for durability and weight, I'll be putting this in a synthetic.

So, what do you think. Any suggestions that I should still look at? Have I missed anything? I appreciate your input to this as this has been a long time in the making! :)
 
Your components are first rate all the way.
I can't argue with the caliber though I'd probably lean towards a 35 whelen. (I did actually) More components, somewhat more flexible on smaller stuff, and still lots of power for the bigger stuff on this continent. If you're staying with 9.3 I'd go 9.3x62.
One thought I might add is wondering whether the stock trigger is good, or if you should look at an aftermarket one.
What barrel length are you thinking about, and what finished weight are you aiming for.
By comparison for weight, I have an FN actioned whelen, 22" Douglas barrel turned down to .600 at the muzzle, hinged floorplate, bold trigger, FN safety, in a Rimrock stock that will finish at 1-2 ounces over 7lbs, without bases/rings/scope. All up I'm aiming for 8lbs with a 2x7 VXll and should hit that weight.
Very nice rig you are planning, I'd be interested to hear about the finished product.
 
Are you using a barrel band?

What about the recoil pad? I really like the 1" decelerator because it works and looks clean.

Did you plan on any particular colour for the stock? I like olive, but hey, that is a personal thing.

I know you said no debate on the Talley rings, but I have to tell you, NECG sells EAW mounts and boy are they sweet! I had a set on my .416 RM and was VERY impressed.

The only thing I would change is the scope. I know Swarovski and Schmidt & Bender are expensive, but they are fine scopes and would be a nice complement to your excellent choice in the action.


And you have made an excellent choice with the 9.3x62!
 
Beaver Skin said:
Differing opinions are welcomed and encouraged
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re-barrel your pre-64 custom to 9.3x62, add sights, get it gun-koted, and be happy. Sell the 338-06 barrel and dies to recoup some of the costs.

then find a nice piece of wood at hunterbid.com and re-do the Brno over time with express sights, a barrel band sling swivel, front sight band and all the cool guy stuff.

The model 70 has a better, simpler trigger, faster lock time, has a larger recoil lug, more bedding area in the rear, and is a stiffer receiver. The bolt handle will allow a lower scope and you don;t have to cough up $400 just to have a safety that operates how you are accustomed to.

btw, did you see this http://shooterschoice.com/used guns/ur2997.htm some lucky bugger got to it minutes before I called this morning
 
Pat - I was thinking of the traditional 60 cm (23.5") barrel with a targeted weight of about 8 and a bit all up. The trigger is pretty good and I've used a ZG with a wonderfully tuned trigger. Its not a drop in replacement so I'll probably be keeping it.

1899 - I forgot to mention the barrel band: I plan to have one as well. I like your suggestion of the decelerator. It works well and doesn't get cut up easily. I have EAWs on my 375 and love them but with the double square bridge I just can't see complicating the mounts. Just clamp the Talleys on and be done!

rgv - I DID NOT NEED TO SEE THAT AD! Wow, I would have loved to get that ZG-47!!! I thought long and hard about what you suggested with the M70 but wanted a Mauser instead. Man, I did not need to see that ad! I had to consider long and hard the ZG-47 route vs M70 vs M98 after we spoke a while earlier but I'm going this route - this time :)
 
I agree with you that if you are going to do a custom rifle it is more interesting to do it in a classic cartridge. Rather than the latest, hotest ultra, super. I'm not too farmiliar with 9mm cartridges. I was going to say a .35 whelen might be a fun round for you. I have always had a curious desire for a .350 rem. mag. I'm sure you will find what you want and build it. Let us know how it goes.

Robin down under
 
I think you are well on your way. The McMillan stock could add a bit of weight which you may not anticipate. The McMillan stock on my 602 added two pounds over the factory stock, still I would not consider anything else. Another point is that the McMillan grip might bring your knuckles closer to the trigger guard than other designs, so a filler behind the trigger guard may be in order.

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I agree a stainless barrel is the way to go, and I would choose either Gun Kote or Dura Coat as a finish. Have you decided on a barrel length?

If you are choosing NECG sights, I assume you are talking about open sights. I believe that a ghost ring and post is superior to open sights, but for back up sights this is not a critical concern. I would however try to dissuade you from a multiple leaf rear sight. I know that express sights look cool, but the chance of a long range leaf standing up at an inappropriate time is a risk I would not be prepared to take. I have a post front sight made of brass, The neat thing about this sight is that on a dark background it appears white, and on a light background it appears black. Your choice of scope is excellent. I used one on a .375 in Tanzania last summer, and liked it very much.
 
I built a 9.3X92 this past year. Brazilian 1908(Oberndorf) action, King 24" barrel profiled to .60" muzzle and .84 at the taper break, Black Walnut stock with 1" Pachmayr Decellerator and a VariX-II 3-9 X 40 in 2 pc Leupold mounts. Weight is a hair over 9 lbs.

Building a custom rifle based on a Mauser 98-style action AND keeping the weight around 8 lbs can be tricky. The action(including bottom metal and Timney trigger) comes in at just a bit under 3 lbs and there's not much that can be done to reduce that weight.

So my recommendations are(and this is what I would do if I were to build another)

Barrel. A CrMo Heym from Bits of Pieces. They offer a threaded/short chambered barrel for $250.00. The profile is very slim - .59" at the muzzle and .71" at the taper break. Weight should be around 2.75 lbs(based on a similarily profiled Douglas barrel). I'm assuming that the ZG47 has the same barrel threads as a M98.

http://www.heym-waffenfabrik.de/english/S_Downl/lauefe03.pdf

Stock. Synthetic stock. Apparently synthetics can be as light as 1.5 lbs (Rimrock) to whatever?? Will a M98 stock fit a ZG47? Wood(walnut) stocks can run from 2-3 lbs(with 1" Pachmayr Decellerator).

Scope. Good choice in the scope. According to Leupold, your scope weighs 11.6 oz. Say a pound with rings.

So a ZG47 with a light Heym barrel, a Rimrock stock and a Leupold scope will come in at about 8.25 lbs. Iron sights and sling will add a bit.

As for metal finish, I would go with a slow rust blue on all metal.
 
rgv said:
btw, did you see this http://shooterschoice.com/used guns/ur2997.htm some lucky bugger got to it minutes before I called this morning
Click to expand...

:redface: At least I only got called a bugger this time!:redface:


Rob, I think, no, I know you will have hit the nail on the head with this combo!
Although I am not a fan of the syn. stock or stainless, as you mentioned it is a go to gun that will work to earn it's keep, fair enough for me!;)

I used the NECG sites on my 338-06 I built 7 years ago, they are awesome. The one I used had an adjustable/replaceable blade and was kept very safe by the shroud. I haven't used a whole lot of different irons, but these were by far the best I've tried. The blade had a medium white bead too.
The leaf was kind of express style, but only a fixed blade.

Aside from a couple changes, drool on this. M1Garandfather sent me this pic:
24HourCampfireSmallRingMauserAction.jpg


Best of luck in your build, hope it works out for you!;)

Noel
 
mauser build

I was wondering through and noted this older post. Did you ever begin your rifle?

Last year I had a 6.5X55 build up on an FN '98 action using a #2 Montana stainless barrel and a McMillan Hunter's Edge stock. Work was done by Corlanes and while they were slow and we had a few miscommunications the rifle eventually turned out great. A Gentry 3 position safety was installed (I have used several and like them) as well as a very good quality aluminum hinged floorplate I bought years ago, Talley light weight bases/rings, and Timmey trigger. All metal was coated a low gloss black which matched the Talley bases perfectly.

I also like the classic mauser action and would have preferred a rust blued walnut rifle but this is a user not just a looker. I functions and shoots great. I am very pleased with the Montana barrel and the Hunter's Edge stock is amazing (very light and stiff). I can certainly recommend either. The rifle was not meant to be a super light weight but a well balanced rifle of moderate weight. I am very pleased.

I do not know (or care to find out) how to post pictures but if you want to see some I can email them.

Regards,

Outdoors
 
Thanks for the input outdoors. After a great deal of thought I decided to pass on this project. I find that I'm enamoured by the 30-06 and 375 H&H combo and can not justify the cost for another rifle that either existing rifle will do in spades. That and a Browning BSS Sidelock that just came into my life put a squeeze on the funds! I sold the ZG to a board member last week to fund the latest addition, which seems to be a trend among us Nutz :)
 
Rifles

Beaver Skin said:
Thanks for the input outdoors. After a great deal of thought I decided to pass on this project. I find that I'm enamoured by the 30-06 and 375 H&H combo and can not justify the cost for another rifle that either existing rifle will do in spades. That and a Browning BSS Sidelock that just came into my life put a squeeze on the funds! I sold the ZG to a board member last week to fund the latest addition, which seems to be a trend among us Nutz :)
Click to expand...


I hear you. I've hopped from rifle to rifle for years and have come to the conclusion that if using a suitable bullet many different calibers work on a multitude of game and everything else is personal preference. I just eventually built the rifle that I wanted in my personal favourite caliber. We are Nutz after all!

Enjoy your 06 and 375, you are well set up.

Outdoors
 
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