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Thanks all for the information. In truth, I think I have talked myself into a FN-FAL type rifle and hope to also collect a M1A and M1 Garand later in life. A lot has to happen before I'm able to cough up the dough for an FN, but I think that's what I want. For no particular reason mind you, they just sorta "speak to me." I excluded the AK's mainly because it's literally what everyone else has and they've never appealed to me. Likewise, I'm just not that fired up about AR-15's. I doubt I'll ever shoot more than paper with this rifle (if I ever get it). I have too many bolt guns for hunting! Thanks again all, Jason

DT, I absolutely agree with you. Jason

Women never cease to amaze me - they catch everything. There's one blonde in particular that I'm really close to that seems to have the ability to see or sense the invisible. Nothing escapes her! I have come to see dealing with women like playing a game of high-stakes poker and I try to keep my hand very closely held. It's a game right? I like trying to get the other player to tip her hand first. Generally though, I end up giving something away and getting fussed at. Such is life though... Another thing I've learned is just to smile and say "Yes mam" and go on in peace. Most little things aren't worth hassling over... Jason

Flaco, I don't know where you're looking to take this project, but based on finished work of yours I have seen previously, I'd say your tendency is to do it up professionally, from scratch, sparring no expense. That said however, if you're not looking to go too elaborate with a project based on the 7.65x53, you could look around and find a used 7.65 take-off that has a good bore. I have seen several for sale in various places that looked like they still had some life left in them and cost far less than $300. Then I suppose you could get someone with a lathe to do a bit of profiling and polishing. It'd have to be a friend of yours as I'm sure that could get expensive. Or, you could look around and try and come up with a .311" barrel and have a friend chamber and thread it for you. Barrels can be had a reasonable cost - especially if you have a gunsmith order it for you. The crux of the matter here is the cost of the work you may have to hire to get the barrel you want. My friend that does my gunsmithing gives me a discount, but when you start looking into profiling, polishing, chambering, etc., $300 for a barrel may end up being reasonable after all. That is, if you don't mind the stepped taper of a Mauser barrel. As to the receiver, you might look around and try and find a VZ-24 that's had the crest ground off. They still need some truing and stoning, etc., but at least you won't have a crest of some type to contend with. I have one and love it. Z, I believe likes them as well. Just a little food for thought. ----Or------ Since the wood is in question and is the reason you are thinking against going all out on this project, sell your current blank and upgrade it to something befitting a $300 barrel. The question you must really ask yourself is what do you really want and where do you want to go with this project? Just my $.02. I'm glad you had fun with the boats! I haven't been on the water in years. Nice deer to by the way. You're an excellent photographer. Jason

OD, You forgot one: 1 to tell the original poster to run a search of previous threads to find this topic as it was discussed previously...

Sure man! Send some rain down here. Its so dry here the pine trees are starting to wilt. The rumor was that we were supposed to see some rain here last weekend, but man I tell you, I haven't see clearer skies in a while! With all this talk of global warming and weather changes and whatnot, I kind of begining to wonder if it ever will cool off again and start raining here in East Texas. I have my doubts... Stay dry Rat! Jason

Fellows, I know nothing about any of the semi-autos available nowadays and I was contemplating purchasing one next year if I'm able to. What do I want? What's available? I'm kind of leaning towards a 7.62x51, although I would not pass up a good deal on a 5.56x45. I would generally wish to avoid Russian type semi-autos too. What's the deal with FN type rifles? There seems to be a bunch of them and honestly, I really like the way they look. Can the CETME rifles handle modern .308 Win and 7.62x51 rounds safetly? Are they hard to find in accurate, shootable condition? Also, what's an AR-10? Why would I want one of these over a AR-15? I almost put Springfield rifles in a different category as I someday plan to own an M1 Garand and an M1A. For now, I'm sort of curious to see what'll be available for +/- $500. If someone has a minute, I would appreciate your knowledge. Thanks in advance, Jason

If any you folks are waffling on whether to try a Lee-Enfield or not, I would encourage you to try one. My SMLE is one of the most accurate milsurps I own.

My only gripe with any of the mosins I've touched is the length of pull is too short me. That said, I love my 91/30. Its a 1938 model that's been arsenal refurbished. I bought it at a gunshow in Lufkin for a hundred dollar bill and when properly handloaded, its the most accurate milsurp I own. Only my SMLE can approach its level of accuracy. None of the milsurp Mausers hold a candle to my 91/30. Jason

Apparently Katrina missed a few junkies: New Orleans Junkies Sucks to be them. In school they told us to leave them drugs alone. Some people just don't listen I guess. Breaks my liberal heart to read about suck suffering though. Why doesn't FEMA step in and do something? Why don't we give them some money or something?

http://www.huntingmag.com/guns_loads/HMcust_0805/ http://www.legacysports.com/index.htm They don't look bad for the money. They also look like they'd save you a whole lot of work.

Fritz, I believe we only caught 4"-8" of rain here. Everybody gives a different measurement. It was a bunch! But only lasted through Saturday night. Our burn ban is still on, so we couldn't of had too terribly much, right? That said however, the world has definitely greened up and you can almost watch the bahia grass growing. And you're right, its damn hot here too. (Or was?) We've hit several record temps over the last week. Its supposed to change tonight though. Supposedly, we've got a "cold" front moving that's going to bring rain and cool everything to a chilly 80* on the high side and 60 on the low. I'll believe that when I see it. Them weather fellas ain't been the most reliable lot over the last couple weeks. Hopefully things have cooled off and will get wetter. I'm personally ready for a cold winter that brings some rain. I just hope that we're able to get everyone back home before the deluge hits... Jason

Happy Day! My lights are back on! Now I have water too! Yippy! Showers and hot home cooked food again! Elated Jason

The Catholic Church is supposed to have something against Free Masonry; which I find funny while driving the through the parking lot at Sacred Heart and seeing two or three "To be one, ask one" stickers.

Fellows, I have been advised that for the next 36-48 hours, my mobile may not be the place to seek shelter in so I'm clearing out temporarily. I am skeptical if I'll be wiped out entirely, but I'd hate for something major like a tree fall to strike the house and me be in it. So I'm clearing out temporarily. I've got the guns, gun parts, clothes, cameras, computer, and all other personal items I've deemed essential packed and I'm moving up the road about a half mile to a friend's house. Be lucky you guys aren't here; gas is scarce and everyone is anxious. I'd don't recommend or wish this on anyone. To my fellow Texans, yall keep your heads down. I'll try and stop back by in a few days if I can, but that may be difficult if the lights are off. This Roscoe, signing off. Godspeed! Jason

Monte, I got it. Thanks, Jason

Yes. Indeed they are. I'm borderline shitless myself. If you're scratching your head and wondering why, try this link: Jason's Locale vs. Fritz's Notice that the storm is most assuredly headed my direction once it makes landfall. According to the DPS there's no gasoline available anywhere south of Corrigan and no hotel rooms available south of the Red River. Also, traffic leaving Houston and the Golden Triangle area is having difficulty leaving. That bothers the hell out of me because I go to Houston a lot and comprehend just how damn big the roads are down there. In town, there are no batteries to be had and our gasoline supply is getting sketchy. The Wal-Mart supercenter is consistently sold out of bread, water, and milk as are all other stores in town that sell groceries. Traffic on US 59, south and north of town is crazy. Shelters are filling with out of towners and everyone else in town is starting to act squirrely and extremely anxious. Though we're not catching all the hell that's sure to ensue with this hits the shores, she's not going to peeder out that much by the time she gets up here Saturday night. I plan to ride this out and I've done as much as I know to do with respect of being ready. Except for the fact that it would be nice to have more iced tea packets and some D cell batteries for my boom box, I think I've got everything I need. I've got food, water, candles, ice, and I'm putting things in order to haul ass if need be. I have a safe house a half mile away if things get too sporty here and I've got enough gas in the tank to get to Arkansas if need be and a reservation north of here if I need to exercise it. I am however just as reluctant to leave as Fritz is as hell, all my stuff's here. However, I have all the guns and other pertinent items ready to go. The general attitude around Nacogdoches is that we're going to come through this alright. I agree. However, since my water supply is run by a well pump, I'm concerned with electrical outages effecting my short term water supply. Aside from a predicted 4"-10" of rain, my key concern is for the high wind we're supposed to get. Specifically, Nacogdoches is in the heart of the piney woods and the big trees we have don't like high sustained winds. Further, when the trees do fall, they tend to land on and damage property. I have lots of trees around me and I look at them with a feeling of anxeity thinking of what that big bull pine could do... Although I wish it were Wednesday and all this is behind me, I think if we can make it through Saturday, we'll all be fine up here. In general, I have the same waining patience that Fritz has for it and the second his "Come on Rita." And to top things off, tonight is a beautifully clear night - too nice for bad weather and bad things to come. Jason

Fritz, Good luck my friend. I'll pray for you. No matter what happens, be safe. Let's have a Fritz to come back to, even if he has live by the pool in Austin for a couple weeks. Take care Amigo. Jason

Fritz, If you do feel the need to get out of Dodge this weekend, I have a spare sleeper sofa. You know where I live. I'm 200+ miles from the coast. If you think you might need to, let me know and I'll shoot you a phone number in case my power goes out too. Since I'm sort of out in the sticks, I rather expect that to happen. ------------------ I just got back from Wal-Mart; it was surreal. They had no bread, water, or ice. Nacogdoches is preparing for the worst and for the flood of evacuees. We've already got people in town from as far away as Alabama and my personal feeling is, especially since this one is hitting so close to home, "yall come on." We're opening several shelters and Angelina county (directly to the south of us) has closed all the schools to house people. Let's all pray that this passes as quickly and painlessly as possible and ends... Jason

Clark, Before you start filing on the receiver, try widening the magazine box. The formula I was given a long time ago is supposedly what Mauser used to calculate magazine dimensions for his rifles. Cos 30* x case width (in inches) = _______________ + case head (in inches)= width. Also, its not a terrible idea to add around .004" to allow for wiggle and dirt. Mauser decided the cartridges should stack at more or less a 30* angle. Get a cartridge drawing and run some computations for the belt and shoulder and points in between and open the magazine up. Then you'll have to lengthen the magazine. Then try feeding before you alter the receiver. Metal removed can't be replaced. Once you get the magazine worked out and mated to the reciever, then start to judiciously remove metal. This is what I was told to do when I started working on my 8x68s and though I haven't finished that project yet, I did do enough work to it to see the instructions I was given are pretty sound. I think it'll help that you have most of the right tools. It also may help to have an unaltered rifle handy to compare what a proper feeding rifle looks like to what you're working on.

Fritz, Do you really think we'll have a Cat 4 strike us this year? I'm skeptical and hoping not. Luckly, I'm a little over 200 miles from the coast so I don't think I'll catch any direct damage from the storm. However, I am concerned that my lights will be out for a while due to all those BA East Texas pine trees and our electric companies' depleted labor pool caused by storm repair to along the eastern gulf coast. I just got off the phone with my mother who offered to fly me up to Pittsburgh for the weekend; I declined. I don't fancy the thought of my trailer being thrashed and me not being around for it. If anything terrible comes to pass, I've got arrangements to go visit a friend a mile away who lives in a steel and concrete reinforced house. I figure I'll pack up my guns, camera, and money and saunter down the road if things start to come apart. One of my main concerns is our short term petroleum supply. At the rate we're going with all these damned hurricanes, we're not going to have any refineries or drilling rigs left. If we have many more storms like we've had already, rebuilding and re-equipping may become a very serious problem for everyone. Be safe! Jason

A crusty old Sergeant Major found himself at a gala event, hosted by a local liberal arts college. There was no shortage of extremely young, idealistic ladies in attendance, one of whom approached the Sergeant Major for conversation. She said, "Excuse me, Sergeant Major, but you seem to be a very serious man. Is something bothering you?" "Negative, ma'am," the Sergeant Major said, "Just serious by nature." The young lady looked at his awards and decorations and said, "It looks like you have seen a lot of action." The Sergeant Major's short reply was, "Yes, ma'am, a lot of action." The young lady, tiring of trying to start up a conversation, said, "You know, you should lighten up a little. Relax and enjoy yourself." The Sergeant Major just stared at her in his serious manner. Finally the young lady said, "You know, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but when is the last time you had sex?" The Sergeant Major looked at her and replied, "1955." She said, "Well, there you are. You really need to chill out and quit taking everything so seriously! I mean, no sex since 1955! Isn't that a little extreme?" The Sergeant Major, glancing at his watch, said in his matter-of-fact voice,"You think so? It's only 2130 now."

Fritz, I understand your plight. It took my gunsmith a week of messing with my M48 to get the original barrel off it when I first started tinkering with it two years ago. Mr. B is a big guy and he said it took him and another guy his size leaning on a cheater bar to get the barrel to let go and when it did, it sounded like a 22 going off. He's been doing this since the 70's and has never seen anything like this. He almost had to resort to the lathe to machine the barrel off before it finally came loose. I've read where there are other guys having problems with over tightened barrels. My theory is that since these barrels that have safety-breech cut to the barrel face, the barrels, especially the mis-matched ones, have to be over tightened to get that cut to line up properly. I don't know what the solution to this is. I guess it just part of the hassle we'll have to deal with as part of our hobby?

They're made by Gibbs Rifle Company and sold as the Gibbs Summit Carbine. Though Gibbs is sold out of them, the rifles can still be had for under $500 and I'm thinking the last couple I saw were selling for closer to $350. They're neat; they're nickled and some even have a synthetic stock. All you have to do is shoot it; no work. One of these might be something to think about in leau of starting another project. I think it would save you lots of hassle and they sound like fun rifles. Article on the Gibbs Summit Carbine on Surplus Rifle.com Jason

Shiner Bock! Guiness Extra Stout and Draught. Budweiser (NOT LIGHT! Only the original! ) Heineken? No thanks. I'll just have a glass of muddy water instead.