Difficult to find gunsmith
I bought a mann barrel and called several shops advertising gunsmith work. Most had gone out of business or retired. Gandermountain actually has a gunsmith with tools and he did a nice job cutting the deep scars off the outside surfaces of the barrel, it had been rough handled actually scarring the stainless barrel surfaces. He cut down the large steel ring at the base of the barrel and headspaced the bolt. Fee was resonable.
I bought a composite stock, scope mount, magazine follower and spring off the net. The stock barell channel opened to correct size with coarse emery cloth #60 wrapped around pipe and stroking out the extra materials. The stock already was molded to fit the 1903a3 reciever. The magazine is 30-06 and the shorter .308/7.62 will not feed, but having a magazine follower keeps me from dropping rounds to the bottom of the magazine.
The gunsmith cautioned me about spending much on this because the barrel was dirty and coppered on the inside. He cleaned it for me and said to play with it, see how it groups shots. I have 50 rounds through it and am still learning to try to hold it consistently.
I could have bought a nice new rifle but have enjoyed playing with this project.
