littlecanoe

I just finished watching an interview of Fred Thompson by Sean Hannity on liveleak.com. I liked some of the things that he said. Have any of you guys been keeping up with him? What's your take on his platform? lc

I believe I'd only ask her AFTER she'd had her coffee. You keep inspiring me to start on knives. Now I just need motivation and time. lc

724wd, Sir, you have very beautiful hands............................................ lc

Clemson, Thanks for bearing with me on the subject. I'm more than comfortable with the "wood" part of sporterizing. I farm out the technical metal related tasks. I find myself continually learning more about the actions and related safety issues. I've probably heard/read in the past that then inner ring is where the hardness is needed but, for some reason, thought that hardening of the outer surfaces added more strength. I appreciate the tutorials and the great benefit of your experience as you share it here. lc

Jerry, I think that you nailed a big part of the issue of what "better off" really is. I've been noticing for years that a new couple want to get married and have exactly what it took their parents 20 to 30 years to have. That's not right. If the modern lust for more stuff is calculated into that study it makes it a bit skewed I think. BTW love the "clowns head" I can just see it! Maybe it's Bozo getting fries from Mickey............. lc

Clemson First I'd like to say thanks then WOW!! That's a great presentation. Along the lines of preping the metal for a finish and polishing I noticed that you didn't take the crest off so I'm making the assumption that you didn't go through the hardened metal. Do you find many imperfections when you get the metal to white? The reason that I ask is that I'd like to do some bluing and was under the impression that you have to take it down to smooth and then reharden the metal. Do you worry about that and if not, does it really make a difference in how the finished product looks? thanks lc

Clemson, Sorry about the hijack of the tread. Could you walk through the steps that you took on that action to the point it is in the pic? Where do you plan to go after that? More polishing? Send away for hardening? or has that already been done. It all looks so nice! and clean! Thanks for the bolt demo too. Really good looking. lc

I guess I'm a redneck. Most of the time it's a baseball cap for me. I've stopped wearing it in the house but just like a cap. I have a Columbia Boonie with vented crown for summer wear and sun protection. A Filson Aussie Oil Cloth for some winter and rain protection. My son is 2.5 yo and he just started wearing a cap about 3-4 months ago. It was his Idea. He took over my favorite Kentucky Wildcats cap! But I love it. AZ, Do you have a brand name or a link to that pith helmet? My GP used to wear a solid one when he was out on the tractor farming. Sounds like the right thing for a hot humid summer. lc

Monte, I'm by no means an expert on this subject but have experienced the need to smooth out a later coat of finish. I was recently experimenting with a stock by using clear Danish oil. After about 4 coats I went to Teak oil for about 4 coats then cut the teak oil with mineral spirits to make a slurry. I let this dry. Wasn't satisfied as the buildup was rough. Rather than scratch the finish and start over, I did wet sand with water. There was no apparent penetration of water into the stock, I say this based upon the beading up of the water, and I was able to get back to a smooth finish. I believe that the grit was 600. I then proceeded to the Tung oil rubbing in a drop at a time allowing friction to start the cure. I was and am very satisified with the finish and it's quite smooth. I will probably steel wool it in the near future and add another series of coats of the tung oil as it builds up quickly and has nice depth. Hope that this helps a bit. I believe that sanding with water is most dependent upon how the stock was sealed, the depth of finish that you are at and the grit of paper that will be used. As for keeping dust down, sanding with mineral spirits would probably be acceptable. I liked the H2O though. lc

If that wasn't staged that's one quick car! One thing that gets lost in the electric car argument is the loss of energy that occurs when converting energy from one stage to another. This may be negated to some degree in the new hybrids but the electrics just don't seem efficient. Coal-->electricity-->charge batteries. Energy is lost at 3 levels. That's still a quick car. Sure would be fun to drive to work in the summer! lc

I really appreciate the rehashing of this subject. It's good to read the pro's and con's again and freshen the memory. Thanks,lc

In south central KY "coke" is generic for soft drinks. If you ask for a coke you get whatever the dark coke-like drink is. That's changing some though as some of the older ones pass on. I've also heard sodie-pop. Now there was a time when they liked RC Cola and a moon pie. Peanuts in the bottom of a bottle of Grape Nehi and eat them as the drink goes down........................my uncle used to like that.

z1r, What velocities are you getting with xx gr bullet in the 9.3x57? Muzzle Energy? Where would this cartridge fit compared to a 35 Whelan? Brother or distant cousin? Thanks lc

Here are two pics. The first is how I patched the stock. It also shows the fiberglass wrap which was done for strength but not really needed. The second shows the finished product. lc Az, Not sure on the brand name. Not even sure where the can is now. There was plenty left over though.

I used a brand that the wife picked up at wally world for me. The stock was an old Columbian mauser stock that had been sporterized and needed some repairs. I spliced the wood together with some strong glue joints, wrapped the outside of the stock with fiberglass cloth which was epoxied to the wood with MAS brand 2 part marine epoxy. This stuff was left over from a wood strip canoe project. After this, I sanded any rough edges on the fiberglass then sprayed on the liner. What I learned is that I get too excited and hurry a project. If you go with light coats and allow sufficient time you won't have sags. It's durable and looks synthetic. It was a quick way to make a fairly ugly looking wood stock uniform. I had one sagging point that I believe would sand out and cover with another coat. I believe that that is an advantage. You can quickly touch-up the stock by adding a thin coat. I'm not sure how it would stick on plastic. I'd use something to strip oils from the surface before painting. The texture of the plastic, depending on the manufacturer, might need a bit of roughing up with sandpaper to give the liner something to bite. Post pics if you give it a try. lc

Good discussion guys. Does anyone have PSI #s for 257 Bob AI? Where would it fit in the pressure range of the cartridges discussed up to this point? lc

Jerry, I'll mention that I have a VZ 24 with a 6.5x55 barrel on it. My first sporter. I've picked up 2 CG's since then. The one was shortened and is still in the process of becoming a Mannlicher. The other, 257 sounds nice. I'd like a 25 cal for some reason. No really good reason other than I don't have one It would be a nice coyote whacker! Well, the Vz in 6.5 with 95 grain hornady's is getting in the respectable range for accuracy and would vent a yote nicely also. ...........but I don't have a Bob. Steve

BOBVZ, Didn't know such a monster had already been made. Problem with the CG's is that they have already been modified, I rescued them, and have lost value. I do like the idea though. lc

Gun Nutty, You took the post right where I was thinking with your reply. The G 30/44? I believe, is a nice action but more compact, more streamlined, a bit prettier than the 98. I have 2 CG's that have lost collector value. I was thinking through my collection and asking myself, "why not the 96". It would be a bit lighter, more streamlined etc.. What I have in mind is s 257 Rob. on the 96 action. Not sure but might look at the pressures of an AI as I've heard that this caliber actually gains in AI config. The remaining parts of the puzzle are 1. would it enhance safety to add a new deflecting shroud 2. would it help safety to add gas ports to the bolt like the 98 3. would rehardening this steel really add to safety and increase overall strength I've about talked myself into this project. I just want to do it right and the CG action would be so easy to clean up. LC

I've read a lot of conflicting information on the strength of the 96 mauser. One group states that they are weak, with the other states that they are just as strong but don't handle gas well. The pro-strength group sites the metallurgy of the Swede's being superior to all the other makers of that day. My question is what is reality? Does the Swede stand out as stronger than the 98? Have there been mass failures with that action compared to other small ring designs or the 98? Is this documentable? Is the main difference a small ring and no or smaller gas ports on the bolt and only 2 lugs? Would the safety of a 96 be greatly increased by simply adding gas ports on the bolt to resemble the 98? Then we have the Husqvuarna company that built 8x57's on the 96 action. I'm a bit confused. Any solid answers or is most of this argument speculation that has gotten passed around and changed over time? THanks, LC

Maybe we could encourage Sheryl and her likeminded cohorts to hold their breath for 1-2 hours every day. This would cut down on CO2 emissions and help save the world. They they would all feel like they were doing their part. That is until they passed out. \ Don't ya think it would work? Maybe Ted Turner could get his friends involved also. And Rosie and her friends...............................

Don, I'm still perfecting my inletting skills and end up with gaps also. Usually worst at the end of the tange. One option that I have considered is taking a thin strip of matching wood and steaming it to bend around the tange. I was thinking that you could then open up the stock to receive that thin strip of wood and glue into place. Not sure how it would look. It would hide the error and close the gap. Wouldn't be a quick or easy fix but at least there would be wood fiber there. LC

I just can't get my mind around how I should feel and think about this one. This seems to go beyond touchy-feely straight to Al Franken Insane!

Don, I love the look of that guard. You're really developing, have developed, a knack for those hinged floor plates. LC

So GB is likely to stand by and do nothing once a resolution is reached? Or will they seek a symbolic wrist slap through the UN?