Custom Ruger No.1 takedown with some pretty nice walnut in progress

Update, did cheeks on the stock to match a H&H I had that struck me as beautiful. Still working, but getting there. Shot it yesterday, and it shoots like hell on fire. My first offhand shot landed 1/2" from my first benched shot after sighting in, so I'd say it "fits". Will shoot standard 7x57 and turns out it ejects it too, although it has the rim and extractor cuts for 7x57R.

AFA6AE1A-E359-43CF-B125-9E58A63F5838-10711-0000085C591A51F4_zpsd59acf1e.jpg

A1CF5A92-6A04-4C46-8811-7820B4EC40FA-10711-0000085EDAD8CB30_zpsbb383c4e.jpg
 
Looks magnificent! The proportions are lovely. Please say that you are planning on blackening the metalwork.

A couple of questions: you have the aperture sight mounted on the forward scallop of the rib, rather than the rear. Do you keep it in this position while hunting as well, or do you move it back to the rear for field/hunting use? Is that a NECG aperture sight? If so, will that be your permanent hunting sight, or do you have some interesting and unique idea for that aspect of the build?

How about checkering? I am definitely in the "don't do it" camp, but since you are planning on it, will it be limited to the pistol grip, or do you plan on checkering the fore-end as well?

Whatever you do, this gun is going to be a beauty. :)
 
I just love how reading this thread feels so fuddly.... lol.... I can look at that rifle and imagine quick bush turns and fallen game... a real work of art... I have to say that I will throw my name in the "no checker" hat.... beautiful work...
 
I'm starting to question the decision to checker, more than anything I just wanted to showcase my checkering but the wood is too nice, everywhere. The figure in the pistol grip is beautiful too.

I ended up putting that NECG sight on the front mount as I was just surprised how much I liked the sight picture with it there, rapid, comfortably both eyes open aiming. I initially had it in the rear position, but figured might as well try forward, and was taken with it. These will be the sights for now, I have an express sight blank, one standing two folding leaves, I may do down the road, but at the moment just want to get this hunting. She'll stay stainless, as I really enjoy the stainless / walnut look.

Thanks for the kind words fellas. I do this at work in camp in the evenings, more productive than TV.
 
I'm starting to question the decision to checker, more than anything I just wanted to showcase my checkering but the wood is too nice, everywhere. The figure in the pistol grip is beautiful too.

I would checker. In my opinion, nice checkering augments, not detracts from a stock - no matter how nicely figured.
Again, just my opinion though.
 
X2 on checkering. How many top of the line single shot, double, or even bolt action rifles do you see without checkering? Checkering finishes the custom stock, its not a boyds. Of course that is only my opinion - do what pleases you, as you will be shooting it.
 
Checker it! Really good checkering adds to a rifle's beauty IMO, it does not detract from it, even on wood that ###y.

I've been following this thread and I just have to ask; is it just me, or is the forestock really really short? I don't mean to question your preference in a custom that you're building yourself mind you...

Are you familiar with the mathematical ratio of Phi? It's also called the "Golden Ratio", and is often used in architecture, woodworking and other areas to set proportions which are pleasing to the eye. It's a design factor of which I'm particularly fond.

Gorgeous work in any case Angus.
 
Good questions, and I've done a poor job thus far in the photos and demonstrating the proportions. Any Golden Ration of fore end to buttstock, or fore end to barrel length, would have left me with an awkwardly long fore end for a 20" barrel carbine designed in my mind as a quick pointer. With that in mind, I followed my favourite guns, with English pattern shotguns being that case. A small fore end befitting the svelte lines I have in mind and extremely small rifle overall, to my eye and mind fit the case.

Hopefully these two photos demonstrate proportions a bit better, the model or Vanna is 6'3" and 240 in case the rifle looks too small.

EE8BE307-3529-4568-B8E6-8E3ED57BDB1B-153-00000004A3312B93_zps2da73bf7.jpg

6163AC75-54AD-48B3-BB95-B0F4167250D2-153-00000004A8F445A6_zps6515d35b.jpg
 
Like Double gun has said checker that thing! Checkering does not make the wood below it disappear and lets not forget checkering helps get a firm grasp on the firearm. You are doing an amazing job keep the updates coming.
 
Ardent that is one beautiful rifle in just about every aspect. As far as the checkering question goes - to my eye an uncheckered stock is just "not finished."
My only suggestion would be to go either "semi" flat / "absolute" flat. The absolute flat hides non of the grain, the good thing is if go absolute and
don't like it you can go to semi and even pointed. Doesn't work so well the other way around.
Should anyone want to try absolute flat, I can forward you a pic. of the cutter involved by Email. You will / can still use your spacing & border tools etc.
--- John
 
My opinion for the 2c it's worth, loose the 1/4 rib and front hood, fashion a receiver aperture sight of sorts to be installed just above the breech, clean simple and svelte
 
Back
Top Bottom