I am pretty psych'd.
Some of you may remember my '70's vintage Ruger #1's, one of which has a stunning piece of marble cake black walnut. It cost my Dad $325 when new. I confess, I'll buy a gun just for nice wood, even if it ain't perfect otherwise.
I have to laugh when some modern rifle makers are putting out wood with a bit of pronounced grain, and calling it "select", "premium", or even "exhibition" grades.
Today I scored one of the most stunning pieces of American Black Walnut I've ever seen. I've seen $1500 Turkish Walnut blanks that don't look this good. Call it "burl", "marble cake", or "feather crotch", it's drop dead gorgeous.
My challenge next is, "what to put in it?". Because of the pronounced grain, some of which will likely be in the wrist, I probably won't put a powerful caliber into it. I'm thinking less than .30 caliber, maybe a .270-7mm class tops. Maybe even a Swift, which was the last caliber I saw in such a fine piece of wood
What caliber and action would you pick? For grins, let's say keep it under $10,000
Some of you may remember my '70's vintage Ruger #1's, one of which has a stunning piece of marble cake black walnut. It cost my Dad $325 when new. I confess, I'll buy a gun just for nice wood, even if it ain't perfect otherwise.
I have to laugh when some modern rifle makers are putting out wood with a bit of pronounced grain, and calling it "select", "premium", or even "exhibition" grades.
Today I scored one of the most stunning pieces of American Black Walnut I've ever seen. I've seen $1500 Turkish Walnut blanks that don't look this good. Call it "burl", "marble cake", or "feather crotch", it's drop dead gorgeous.
My challenge next is, "what to put in it?". Because of the pronounced grain, some of which will likely be in the wrist, I probably won't put a powerful caliber into it. I'm thinking less than .30 caliber, maybe a .270-7mm class tops. Maybe even a Swift, which was the last caliber I saw in such a fine piece of wood
What caliber and action would you pick? For grins, let's say keep it under $10,000