Spiris

Overlooking the dangers of smoking and focusing on the pleasures of occasionally smoking a pipe, here's a link to growing your own tobacco. http://non-hybrid-seeds.com/tob.html?gclid=CKKOgqTRw60CFQjd4AodcDA-Ag Spiris

I ran into that a few years ago on one of my builds, and to be honest, I don't remember exactly how I fixed it, but I believe it was another firing pin, maybe a combination with another cocking piece. IIRC, the notch set a bit too far forward, and I might have touched the engagement angle of the low safety with the dremel. Maybe a touch of a grinder on a cocking piece to widen the notch in the right direction so you can complete the project. Perhaps someone has a better solution than my seat of the pants fix. Spiris

Nice job, and probably has a little more bark with the bite. Let us know how the Red-Dot works out. Spiris

It doesn't make sense to push the envelope on pre-98 metallurgy, with so many great cartridges that fit the criteria of these small rings. The 6.5x55 Swede, the 7mm Mauser and the 8mm Mauser all fit the class of cartridges that works well in the pre-98 actions. 250 Savage, 257 Roberts and 300 Savage also work when used in their SAAMI spec. There's little reason to tempt fate by having a cartridge who's SAAMI spec exceeds the design limits of the action. It's just common sense. As mentioned, there are too many good M98 actions around that work better for the higher pressure rounds. Spiris

I have the aluminum heat sink, but I try to drape some wet rag on the lugs and heat sink using my old school welder. Spiris

The 1903 Turk was a German made version that was converted to 8mm Mauser with the date stamped on the receiver and the receiver is notched for clearance for the converted 8mm ammo. This action is an intermediate length and fits the Yugo 48 and 24/47 style stocks. Many have been sporterized into some fine custom rifles. It is a large ring action with small ring threads, and if you are lucky enough to have a M96/M38 Swede barrel laying around, it doesn't get much better. You can take a look at www.turkmauser.com for some info if you haven't seen it before. Spiris

Absolutely! IMO, Ron Paul is not electable, for things that he's said and the way that he said them. He has some good ideas, but we mustn't lose sight of the big picture, and that is to elect "anybody but obama", and to purge the Congress of as many liberal socialists as possible in 2012. We can agree to disagree here, but the focus needs to be getting rid of the socialist obama. Let the caucus votes fall where they may. Spiris

That's a wonderful looking rifle, and I especially like the red laminate. Let us know how it shoots. Spiris

If the rifle has been fired with the rear receiver hole as is, it probably won't be an issue. You can inspect the inner lugs if and when, you remove the barrel. Spiris

It's likely that the front hole does have a broken tap in it and it is into the barrel threads and preventing the barrel removal. You can try a Walton tap extractor to see if you can remove it. http://www.amazon.com/Walton-10063-Flute-Extractor-Square/dp/B0006N8DFK/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1323988128&sr=1-2 You might be able to use an Omega drill, at www.omegadrill.com. Mcmaster-Carr may have it. If not, a sharp hard punch to break it up, or find someone with an EDM machine with skill enough to burn the center out. Probably not cheap though. Hopefully they didn't drill into the chamber. You paid a little too much for it in the condition it appears, but a new bolt handle and a clean up on the shroud and safety will probably make it look better. Spiris

The Sportsman's Guide has 7.62 takeoff LR Mauser barrels for under $50. They're described as having an excellent bore. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/mauser-large-ring-take-off-barrel.aspx?a=824281 Spiris

Real nice buck, and such a little cutie pie "scout" you have. Congratulations all around. Spiris

You really don't normally need a die to repair damaged threads on your barrel, a simple thread file will usually clean up enough to create a good fit. Here's a link to a decent file. They are handy to have. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/NICHOLSON-Thread-Restoring-File-3MD29?cm_mmc=CSE:Nextag-_-Hand%20Tools-_-Files-_-3MD29&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=27-70065157-2 Spiris

As long as you are not loading maximum charges, you'll be fine. I use magnum primers in all my ball powder loads anyway, be it rifle or pistol. Spiris

If it has a cartridge cut off on the right side of the action, and it looks like it might have, along with Farsi script on the left side of the action, chances are it is a Turk '93. It appears to have been converted to 8mm Mauser with the notched receiver and the 7.91 mark on the barrel. They were originally chambered in 7.65x53 and were converted to 8mm in the year stamped on the top of the receiver. The 7mm marking is a puzzle, and as mentioned, may be a mistake by Century Arms when they marked the barrel import information near the muzzle. I would be a bit cautious shooting actual Turk Mauser ammo, as some are full power, and it is a small ring action. It's likely it has digested a ton of it already over it's life, but I would be cautious anyway. Here's a link to some good information on Turk Mausers, but maybe you already know about it. http://www.turkmauser.com/models.aspx Spiris

That's a fine looking rifle, Rojelio, and the pay off is it's quite accurate. Nicely done. Spiris

No experience with S&K mounts, but unfortunately with the cheaper Chinese made rear sight block on one of my M44 Mosin's. That version stood the scope too high above the line of sight for my comfort, and was not too secure. I put the original sight back on. Spiris

The Mojo sight is a good solution, and does not require much alteration. The original sights can be easily reinstalled if desired too. You also have the potential to install a scout type rear sight replacement to allow you the use of a long eye relief scope without having to alter any other parts of the rifle. Yugo 24/47 rifles usually have near new barrels and are often good shooters with a variety of 8mm ammo. Here's a link to a site offering quality S$K mounts for the Yugo models, just scan down about 3/4 the way for your model. Not cheap, but I have seen lower cost versions that will not hold a good zero. Just food for thought if the Mojo isn't what you want. http://www.thecountryshed.com/s&k_scope_mounts.htm Good luck and good shooting, Spiris

Karl, it's good to see that you are tasting sweet freedom in a free state. Here's a link to a list of 8mm Mauser ammo of several types. I've not used the link myself, so I can't vouch for it's accuracy. http://ammoseek.com/?gun=rifle&cal=301 Spiris

I have had good luck with the drill bits and taps from Brownell's, and have been able to get several receiver holes each out of their bits without problems. American made. Spiris

The book looks like a good find, as there are often more than one way to skin a cat, and someone may have a sharper knife. Spiris

Yes, the VZ-24 is a standard length 98 action. A properly welded bolt handle will usually be advantageous atheistically, and from a leverage standpoint. Spiris

You seem to be progressing nicely, and it literally will be a blast to shoot. Thanks for posting the pics, those VZ-24's are usually good actions. Spiris

Congratulations, that's a beautiful acquisition BigBang375, just simple classic lines. Spiris

Thanks for the link, FC, interesting. Spiris