MorgansBoss

"Sonic1 and I also built up a rifle for the 10 year old son of my hunting buddy and danged if the little fart didn't kill 5 deer with that thing and one was a nice 10 point that was at a dead run. You couldn't pry that rifle loose from him with a crowbar." That's the future Beau! Good work. I'm curious about you Texas boys talking about your "leases" all the time. Are these (usually) for the season or just for a "hunting trip" - say a week or so stay? I've looked at a couple of the ranchers offering pretty much "bargain hunts," essentially lodging and a place to go, maybe transportation thrown in and it's attractive. If by chance any of ya'll would be looking for someone to throw in on the cost and only spend five or six days actually hunting next year keep me in mind. I'm guessing "a share" of the lease wouldn't cost any more than paying one of these guys for a one-week hunt. The chance to shoot an exotic or two, or even a varmint along with native game is very attractive to me. I'm pretty much fed-up with the usual "sit on your butt till something blunders by" mode of hunting here abouts.

I'm curious Dave, do you guys use calls or is it just "spot & shoot?" Wanted to collect a jackal and rooicat while in S. Africa but seemed they knew what the light was all about. Soon as it hit em they were gone! Thought about packing along a predator call on the next trip to try early and late while there's still enough light to shoot - much as we do here at home (in The States). Your story about the fur boom and bust brings back old memories. Our cherry red's in winter coat hit $75US around 1978. Coons brought $40+, I even sold possums* for over $10! 84 and 85 weren't too bad, 86 saw falling prices and hesitant buyers. By 87 I couldn't give raccoons away. In fact I did finally talk my local dealer - a man my family had sold fur to for two generations - into taking a couple dozen coons for free just to avoid throwing them away. I haven't harvested a critter for fur since. With the low fur prices and high fuel prices and most old-time trappers out of business or dead, the foxes have exploded here this year. Shot five from one stand several months ago but it was just control - too early for fur - the farm owner is a big time turkey hunter and hates the nest robbing foxes. *By the way... "possums" are our own marsupial. A stupid looking critter with nice fur but an incredibly fragile skin. Do other marsupials have this paper thin skin? Took a lot of practice before I learned not to tear the skin at "the pouch" while fleshing them!

I’ve always liked the cocking piece peep sights on some custom rifles, particularly Rigby magazine rifles. These are (usually) permanently silver soldered to the cocking piece and usually have a spring devise that holds them in place (up or down). Following are directions for such a sight made from common items that can be put on (or taken off) any Mauser-style rifle bolt with a protruding cocking piece. The sight is held in place by both the clamping action of the base AND a set screw that works best if a small “flat” is ground on the side of the cocking piece. Very slight windage adjustment can be made by tilting the sight from side to side but too much of this will be unsightly. The sight is elevation adjustable by means of screwing the “peep” up or down and locking in place with the locknut. The sight is held in the “up” or “down” position by means of another lock nut working against flats on the top and back of the base. Starting with a piece of ¼” thick stock 1”x 1 ½” square drill a ½” hole in the center of the stock. Cut a slot just under 3/16” from the top to the hole making sure it’s perfectly centered on the hole. This will be the base or clamp, which attaches to the cocking piece and holds the actual sight parts. Rough out the outside of the base, particularly cutting the “ears“ that will be the top of the base. These should be about 3/16” or equal the width of the cut between them. I use a ½” end mill to contour the radius from the sides to the ears but the ears can be cut out with a hack saw and the radius done with a round file. Clamp the base in the drill press with the right side up and drill the ears for a 6-32 tap. Also drill for a 6-32 in the middle of the ½” hole - this will be for your set screw. Drill for this screw as far forward as possible to give the best purchase on the cocking piece. Now drill the RIGHT EAR ONLY approximately 1/8”. This may vary, keep it as small as possible while giving room for the screw to function. Tap the two holes to 6-32 - left ear and right-side set screw. Chuck a 5/16 x 1” bolt in the lathe and center-drill for a 10-32 tap. The hole must be at least ½” beyond the bottom of the head. Tap the hole in the bolt (10-32) then cut the bolt head square being sure to leave it over-size (more than 3/16”). Run the flat sides up at least three threads on two opposing sides but leave the threads on the other two sides. This facilitates the locking nut. Using judicious file strokes, fit the square shank of the 5/16” bolt to the notch in the base. Don’t worry about the end or the front and back at this point, just fit the sides to the notch. Once the bolt just fit’s the notch, clamp it back into the drill press vise with the bolt in the base and drill the bolt shank using the base as a guide. Next using a 10-32 machine screw (the longer the better) silver solder an 8-32 nut to the head. If using a slotted screw the slot can be enlarged to hold the nut in place while soldering, otherwise it can be a bit tricky holding the nut in place while heating/fluxing/applying solder, etc… From here on out its basically shaping and fitting to make everything look and fit properly. I like to leave everything oversize as long as possible to facilitate holding in the vise. Knurled lock nuts look better but if you can’t buy or make them, regular hex nuts will work as well, although they may need to be filed thinner. The ½” hole will need to be enlarged considerably to fit a M98 cocking piece but will be just about right for a M93. If you have access to larger bits or end mills this will make the job much easier or it can even be chucked in the four-jaw and precisely bored on the lathe. I file the 8-32 nut that makes-up the “peep” to a round contour but you may like the hex look. The base/clamp should be ground and filed to approximately 1/8” thick to retain strength will providing a bit of “spring“. I’ve probably left something out but this should get you started. I’ve only made two of these sights so far so the idea is still somewhat in flux, so don’t be afraid to modify yours as you see fit!

Those are some lucky kids Dave. Kids being kids though, I hope they realize just HOW LUCKY they are to be living that life in this day and age.

Whew! Just spent pretty much the whole day screwing together the prototype of the cocking-piece sight referenced above. Took so long due to it being an "engineer as you go" project even though I worked out the basic idea on paper first. The finished product isn't complicated at all and well within the abilities of anyone with access to a lathe - and yes, since its been a recent discussion, even a mini-lathe. Still need to re-do my lock nuts but it looks like a success otherwise. Time's short right now but I'll get the drawings and instructions posted in a day or so.

"If I don't write this stuff down I forget it." Excellent point! I have notes and drawings of all sorts of stuff I've done. Particularly when disassembling a firearm you've never worked on or have drawings / instructions for. Sketch EVERYTHING, note the relation to other parts, what has to come out first, etc... Also when I have to make a part such as an obsolete firing pin, and sketch the part and note dimensions, I keep that sketch. Next time ones needed you've already saved a big chunk of time. Get a 3-hole punch and a loose-leaf binder at the local office supply store to keep it all in and the investment will pay off quickly. I also like to photo copy owner's manuals and squirrel them away for future reference.

I've been toying with a simple, folding, cocking piece sight design lately myself. Still on paper though and haven't done a prototype yet... maybe this weekend. After consulting someone else on it I'll pass along the info if it pans out.

"I picked up a 1891 Argentine at a local gun show for $55 - think it’s a deal since it came with a Redfield peep sight." You're right it was a good deal and a nice looking example at that. However to chamber it in .308Win. would be about as safe as converting a Trapdoor Springfield to .458Win. ... well maybe not THAT bad, but absolutely a bad idea. Saving the barrel for another project or else selling it and getting something apropriate for this one would be my suggestion as well.

Given today's occasion (Groundhog day) and the recent discussion of the 17HMR I thought I'd offer this disgusting photo.

Swamper - AND I SURE HOPE YOU SEE THIS - I apologize for offending you. I did not intend my post as a personal attack on YOU. I was merely speaking of the attitude held by some in control of these weapons that they can be used on a "limited" basis. I thoroughly enjoy your posts and value what you offer here. I'd sure hate to see you leave or stop contributing. If indeed you are a high school drop out this is the first I am aware of it and I sure don't hold it against you any more than I hold it against those folks who have a PhD but can't drive a nail. Some knowledge can't be had inside a school and usually its the most valuable lessons! Yes I did say "Would you be willing to risk millions..." bad choice of words on my part. I did not really mean YOU personally, it was more a rhetorical question. Again, I apologize!

OK, since everybody else is trying, let me take a crack at explaining your dream Fritz. Jalapenos and schnapps before bed?

Any advantage offered by the .280Rem. over the tried and true 7x57 would certainly be lost on a 19" barrel. These barrels make nice carbine or youth/women rifles, both of which are also more suited to the original cambering. They're both great calibers. I have absolute faith in my 7x64Breneke (the much older twin of and I suspect inspiration for the .280) having driven a 175 grain bullet througha wildebeest almost from end to end last April. If you really want a .280, by all means don't try to save money on the barrel. I think you'll be disappointed later.

Mad max would be proud.

If you can swing the price this is a great machine for the gun tinkerer. http://www.grizzly.com/products/G9972Z The mini-lathes are good little machines but notice the emphasis is on little! There is a lot more you can do with one than most folks who've never actually had one realize, but it is still handicapped by it's size and capabilities. Considering that the greatest assets of a lathe in a gunshop is for barrel work and that most barrels are twenty-plus inches long and 3/4 or more in diameter and the minis are almost out of the game before you unpack it. I have one I bought years ago (a Homier) and use it a lot. I use it for small things that don't require a lot of set up or high precision. It's likely paid for itself in screws I've made on it. One other benefit of buying from Grizzly is the tooling that is included with their machines. Order a couple tool bits and a tailstock chuck with the (larger) machine and you'll be ready to fit a barrel blank the day it arrives. At least one person (here) has said he wasn't satisfied with his Grizzly but he's the only person I've ever heard say so - and that was one of their minis. Of course if price is the determining factor you have two options. Buy the mini and live with or work around its limitations or put its price in the bank and keep saving until you CAN afford the larger machine. This was discussed here recently, look the thread up.

As some of you know I've worked as a corrections officer for over twenty years. Early this morning another local officer was escorting an inmate at the hospital, was assaulted, his handgun wrested from him and shot in the face by the inmate. The officer is in critical condition but incredibly lucky to be alive at all. The inmate didn't get far but unfortunately he was apprehended alive. The injured officer needs all the prayers you can spare. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/cri...ack=1&cset=true

Is there any possibility his gun dealing is what targeted him? A lot of us live in rural areas and are known as shooters or gun tinkerers. Please keep in mind that this CAN make you a target of those who'd like to steal easily disposed of contraband like guns. How was the homeowner treated by the law?

Sorry to hear about the situation FC. Hope its not serious or hinders your program. As I've said many times I've been involved in firearms safety training for many years now. I've lost count of students but its likely over a thousand now. Many probably don't actively hunt or shoot anymore. Many of the young women were obviously only involved to appease or impress their boyfriend or father. Of course there are boys in this category to (although you can substitute "peers" for boyfriend!). Some of them will drift back eventually but most importantly, even if they don't, they learned gun safety and that the shooting sports are not the evil the anti-gunners portray it as. Should we ever need their vote I'm confident we'll have it. THAT is one of the most important benefits of firearms safety classes - teaching the truth about guns. Hope everything works out and your program gets back on track. Now to breech another delicate matter I've been thinking about for some time. "It's like having some nutball representing the Church making you look like a wierdo since you go there too." Some of the language, subjects and ideas expressed here lately have been on the outer edge. z1r's recent departure has highlighted this issue but it's certainly not an isolated case. I'm not one for censorship or political correctness but I do favor "good taste!" In that reguard we must remember that in a public forum such as this - especially now that its advertised - we owe every gun owner the courtesy of portraying ourselves respectibly. Nobody wants to be the "nutball" who casts the whole congregation in a bad light. Most of us regulars know each other well enough to let our feelings and biases out of the bag occasionally as if we were actually in a private conversation - we're not. We have visitors we never meet. They are other shooters as well as casual surfers and perhaps even folks doing research for one reason or another. When our prejudices or other left-field rantings are proudly posted these people see gun owners with bad habits. I don't want to be portrayed as such and we all owe it to each other not to do this. I'm not trying to be holier than thou. I'm not claiming any sort of superiority. Shoot, I have as many odd ideas as anyone but I'd personally like to see things cleaned up a bit. Not a popular stance I know and flame away, but I feel strongly it had to be said. Once again; " It's like having some nutball representing the Church making you look like a wierdo since you go there too."

"200 years ago there were no mail-order tool suppliers. Craftsmen had to make all their tools them selves. Some of the finest rifles, furniture, and musical instruments were made during that time with home-made tools.." Some truly sage advice here from the Reverend! Re-read his post and set your mind free. Look in the tool boxes of experienced gunsmiths or established craftsmen of any art and you may be amazed at how few unmodified, store-bought tools you'll find.

Someone mentioned above the importance of keeping everything straight. The first thing I do when starting a wood carving project (and even a lot of machine work) is establish a center line. Mark this line all the way around your work piece, end to end, top, bottom and ends. All measurements will then be taken off this reference point. The line will have to be refreshed periodically as you work but it's importance cannot be overstressed.

So has everyone heard the news about Winchester's pending demise? If not, it's been (publicly) announced that USRA will cease operation in March unless a buyer can be found. Further, they only have license to use the Winchester name until then so even if somebody does buy the company there's no guarantee it will still be "Winchester." Together with the recent loss of Ithica the future of the last few great American legends of firearms is quite somber.

Son, go to school. Is there a two-year community college near home? Try that first but stick it out. Horsefly has given you some hard advise and I'm sure it comes straight from the heart - a heavy heart. Many of us have had similar experiences. You'd do well to learn from our mistakes instead of making your own. Its expensive and I don't know what your (or family's) financial situation is, nor do I care to know or does it matter. There are plenty of government programs that can make it possible for anyone who wants to, to go to college. Take advantage of it. There are many, many successful people who didn't do so well in school - George W. Bush for one - that's not necessarily a measure of potential but how many years you went to school is the yardstick used by bosses to size you up. As for the potential to make a living as a gunsmith - well there is a lot depending on that. First and foremost is the quality of your work. I know two smiths operating within a mile of each other. One does no advertising, does not operate a "gun shop" but is a mechanical genius and does the best work you will find anywhere. Up the road is a guy who advertises a lot, has thousands of dollars worth of guns and accessories in inventory, but is a "gunsmith" in name only. The first guy has more business from all over the country than he wants, the second is barely hanging on to his business from local customers. If you're good, people will seek you out. If you're not the word gets out just as quickly and you will fail. To be a good gunsmith takes many skills rarely found in one individual and a fortune in tools and equipment - remember, it takes good tools to do good work. Its a profession best pursued once you've established a means of assuring your living. You're a young man. There will be girls, a wife (or two) and children some day. There will be mortgages, car payments and braces... yes braces. Find a way to make a good living and there will eventually be time to diversify... perhaps into gunsmithing. Good luck my friend, you've an eternity before you, take your time and make the most of it! TE

My late mother was born on January 19, 1924. Her father gave her the middle name Lee in recognition of the "Confederate hero."

Folks, nobody gets any more disgusted than me with some of the seemingly foolish things done by NRA... HOWEVER, as someone else pointed out above, we'd be throwing rocks if it weren't for them. In spite of all the crap I simply cannot understand why ANY gun owner does not support the NRA. Please don't try to convince me, it ain't gonna happen. Like the federal government, they aren't perfect but they're still the best thing we have going for us so far. And as Forrest said, "that's all I got to say about that."

Sorry about the jab this morning Claton, just couldn't resist. Seriously, before investing time money and material in your idea you should do some serious research. There are numerous sources for pertinent study, I'm reluctant to recommend a particular one but "Cartridges of the World" is a good place to start just to get a handle on whats already out there. Don't mean to sound discouraging but there are so many cartridges in existence that will kill deer and much larger game stone dead at any range, I just can't see justification for such project. That's MY opinion. If you really, really want to persue it don't let me discourage you. Keep in mind though that there are many variables in ballistics and a bigger case does not always equate to a faster, flatter shooting round. Also as noted above, squirting a high volume of very hot flame through a small nozzle is how you cut steel - i.e. such cartridges are typically barrel burners.

"Black society is in desperate need of a good leader" I strongly disagree with this statement. You see "African-AMERICANS" already have a good leader. His name is GEORGE W. BUSH! America, the land of diversity, has many cultural and ethnic differences but if we are all truly AMERICANS regardless of hyphens, we must all have the same leader whether we like or agree with him (or her) or not. In four years we get the chance to choose another! Ethnic pride is one thing. Racial (or religious) separation is a whole nother issue. Claiming special privileges for a minority group IS NOT equal rights! It IS NOT righting a former wrong! It is simply discrimination by another name. Call me an angry white man if you please but in reality I am simply "a rational person." Look-up "equal" in any dictionary and it will say nothing about special privileges. Special privileges (quotas, etc.) is actually contrary to the whole concept of "equal." I don't begrudge MLK his personal indiscretions. The most rightous among us has sinned. His core message though, was and still is rightous - all men are equal. Unfortunately that message seems to have died with the man. As a side note; this morning I instructed two black men (inmate sanitation trustees) who were working for me that because it is Sunday of a holiday week-end they could do the minimum needed and go back to bed. They talked quietly among themselves for several minutes then one asked me, "what holiday is it?"