Scooter

So here it is...in all it's glory. Not quite a work of art, but I think it will make for a capable field rifle. Next I'll shoot it and see how it does. Bedding may follow. I sanded that stock until I began to worry about removing too much material. I put tape over old Yakup Ozturk's scratchings because I just couldn't bring myself to sand off the history. It surprised me that many nicks and blemishes appeared (as if from no where) only after my 5th coat of LInseed oil. I'm not fussy about such things so it really doesn't bother me much. Just rather surprised by it. Really love this rifle and hopefully will love it more after shooting it...thanks guys!

No nick so I guess I'm good. The front hole went well also. I didn't have to go the full .250. I was very careful not to go all the way thru at the front. Tap is in the trash can . Just got my Timney/Beuhler safety installed so now It's down to ordering my rings and finish work. Having a lot of fun.

I can't thank you guys enough. Would never have gone so smoothly without your guidance. Man, those were the most nerve racking holes I've ever drilled and tapped! Will keep updating as progress continues.

I think it's done. Does everything look right?

Ok...first hole forward of the rear edge of the ring is drilled and tapped. Somehow I only cleared the lug face by about 1/16"..maybe just a smidge more. Please tell me this is ok.

Getting ready to drill. Bought a drill press vice from HF. Got the front rear front hole at .475 from backside of ring and confirmed that that seems to be dead center in the lug space. Waiting for glue to dry thoroughly before hitting it with center punch. Wish me luck...will let y'all know how it goes.

It'll be a week or two until my goodies show up so I guess I'll keep sanding and polishing steel to keep myself entertained. Also have an old Mossberg 500 that was given me short a few parts. Maybe I'll tear into it and try to figure out what it needs. Hmmm...radio telegrapher you say. Are you an amateur radio operator by any chance?

Thanks Master! So glad I asked you guys for help!

Perfect...thanks!

Um..do I need a bottoming tap?

Thanks again...ordering this stuff now.

Wow! Thanks for the tip on the punches! This is looking quite doable all of a sudden!

Great pics! Thanks. Any idea which punch I need? If not I'll get the set.

Thanks all. Zen Master. I appreciate your warning. I may make the attempt regardless. One of my goals with this project is to expand my abilities a little so no pain no gain. Please post a bold "I told you so!" if this goes awry! Donmarkey. Thanks for the pic with the dimension! I'll put it to use. I'm going to have to get eyes on one of these bases to see if I'm comfortable with it. So is this the right base for my gun? https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009232961?pid=699012

St. Louis area....don't know any one around here that could help. Could you expound on that a little. I'm a mechanic by trade..so I'm not normally shy about drilling and tapping, but have never done a rifle so don't know the details. Like, do you drill all the way thru. Is there a good way to center it on the receiver, since I dont have a way to line it up with the barrel? Will a micrometer do? Maybe I'm over thinking it.

I've soaked the stock several times in mineral spirits to get the oils out. I was fairly satisfied and relieved that it wasn't totally cosmoline soaked. I did as you on the trigger area which worked fine. The tang will also get a treatment similar to what you did, but I'll wait until bedding to do that. I've got the stock roughed out to the shape I want. I realize it's going to be pretty Bubba, but I love it! Since the pic was taken I've just been sanding sanding and more sanding on both stock and steel. The hardest part is coming up...Talking the wife into letting me spring for a drill jig for the scope base

Finally got a chance to play with the rifle a little. I've got several questions. Here are the cracks I've found. I think some good Crazy Glue should suffice for these. Any comments? I'd like to bed the recoil lug, a few inches of barrel and the tang area. But there is a lot of goo in there...probably cosmoline. Is there something I can soak the stock in to remove it without damaging the wood? Lastly...I used propane to remove the rear sight shroud. It didn't take as long as I thought it would. Anyway, I tried to remove the solder using a brass brush while keeping the barrel hot. I only succeeded in sorta brushing the solder in...like paint almost. Do I just keep at it?...Will it sand off maybe? Thanks for comments and suggestions in advance!

I'm guessing bedding might take care of the recoil lug?

Thanks for the reply. Yes...there is a small crack. Good eye! I'll post a better pic of it tommorow after work. The plan is to use this stock to learn a little about shaping and finishing using this stock. Then when I feel I'm ready upgrading to a new stock. Can you advise on fixing the crack?

Sorry for the poor quality of the pics. I never realized how hard it is to get good pics of a rifle. First I'd like to get it drilled for a scope and see if the barrel can shoot. So here comes a few questions... What kind of bases are available? I've noticed many using a two piece base. Is there an advantage to that? Do I need to remove some material (at the stripper clip charging slot) to allow for the rear receiver mount? (Seems I read that somewhere). Also I'd like to shape the forearm tip. Is there a rule of thumb as to how far back I can cut it? Or is that up to personal preference? Any feedback appreciated, Thanks in advance

That's a great idea! I'm learning already. I've got the bug bad. Already thinking about whats next. Is there anything out there left to build on? Does Sarco have any actions, or are those all gone? They show 1893s and 98s.

Knowing that the Sporterizing bug would eventually hit me, I bought a Turk about 15 years ago. Glad I did, but now that I've finally got it bad,...I'm appalled to see that the Mouser supply has dried up. The barrel was badly pitted (by pitted I mean absolutely ruined for the first 5"), so I cut the barrel back to 19". Tried my hand at a crown with a file and rotary bit. That turned out better than I thought it would, but may need a new proper crown. After that the gun sat in my safe for 15 yrs. Well the bug has hit me to do this project so I finally got it off to a smith for a safety and headspace check. He's also going to turn the bolt down for me. I know that's not whats fashionable these days...but He's set up for it and comfortable doing it. I plan on drilling and mounting a scope, then see how it shoots before I decide whether to re-barrel or not. Then go from there. Sorry I can't provide pics yet...but I'll get some up when I get the gun back.