Gettin' the ball rolling.....
- Thread starter Poper
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I do understand how far you are into this project and figured I’d help talk you off the cliff. I’ll take the 788 off your hands. Then your free to get a 700 action 
I just hate to see a 308 carbine size 788 go out of existence, since that’s what I looked for… and settled on the rifle length I found. Wanted the shorter one. Looked for a while.
Anyway- Hope whatever you do… you get to enjoy the time behind the trigger. We never get enough of that.
I just hate to see a 308 carbine size 788 go out of existence, since that’s what I looked for… and settled on the rifle length I found. Wanted the shorter one. Looked for a while.
Anyway- Hope whatever you do… you get to enjoy the time behind the trigger. We never get enough of that.
OP
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Poper
Member
A little history...I do understand how far you are into this project and figured I’d help talk you off the cliff. I’ll take the 788 off your hands. Then your free to get a 700 action
I just hate to see a 308 carbine size 788 go out of existence, since that’s what I looked for… and settled on the rifle length I found. Wanted the shorter one. Looked for a while.
Anyway- Hope whatever you do… you get to enjoy the time behind the trigger. We never get enough of that.
Mine came home new from a gunshow in 1982 or 83 (IIRC) with a plain, no-grain, birch stock and a box of 180 gr. Winchester Silvertips for $112.00.
About 10 years later I changed the stock to a Ramline unit. (Remember those?) I kept the original stock around until about 10 years ago when I ran across it during a cleaning frenzy and tossed it because I didn't think I would ever use it again.
I have been itching to do a build based on this particular rifle for a number of years. Now that I am semi-retired and 66 years old, I felt it was now or never. So I pulled the trigger so to speak. Back when Timney just started making triggers for the 788, I went by the Timney shop in Glendale, AZ and bought a trigger and the Timney shop installed it for no charge. (I still have the original one.)
By the time I am done, I expect I will have $3,000 in this build by the time it is ready for the range. That includes a new Lilja barrel, new XX Claro Walnut stock, new 1-piece base, new rings and a new Swarovski 5-25x50 scope. I will keep the original barrel and the Ramline stock, too.
horsemen61
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Chuck R.
Member
Odds are, custom anything, you won't get your money back, so why sweat it.
My project is also moving along...my manners stock arrived on Monday....it is freaking gorgeous for a synthetic stock, I cannot speak highly enough of those guys. I spent a good chunk of yesterday going back and forth between stock guys and barrel guys to ensure the profile is correct as the barrel is being profiled this week or next. Went with a 20" Bartlein 2B profile, fluted with a 1.4" shank (it's about a magnum sporter profile, fluting will shave a little weight). New estimates are for barrel work, cerakote etc. to be finished around mid-NOV. That will put the stock at 6 months and the barreled action at right about 10 months. So I still might make our 2022 late doe season.
I'm already thinking about my next one, which will have a Defiance ANTi action since I can't seem to find a used REM M7 cheap enough to make re-working worthwhile.
My project is also moving along...my manners stock arrived on Monday....it is freaking gorgeous for a synthetic stock, I cannot speak highly enough of those guys. I spent a good chunk of yesterday going back and forth between stock guys and barrel guys to ensure the profile is correct as the barrel is being profiled this week or next. Went with a 20" Bartlein 2B profile, fluted with a 1.4" shank (it's about a magnum sporter profile, fluting will shave a little weight). New estimates are for barrel work, cerakote etc. to be finished around mid-NOV. That will put the stock at 6 months and the barreled action at right about 10 months. So I still might make our 2022 late doe season.
I'm already thinking about my next one, which will have a Defiance ANTi action since I can't seem to find a used REM M7 cheap enough to make re-working worthwhile.
horsemen61
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Chuck R.
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Just as soon as it's all together!!
horsemen61
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OP
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Poper
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I don't sweat the money or I would not have done the project to begin with. With that said, I still want to get what I pay for. Therefore the messed up Boyds stock is on its way back to where it came from.
Getting a wild hair, I asked that the replacement stock come unfinished. (About 3-5 weeks.) In the meantime, the gunsmith will perform all of his work less the stock fitment. I will take it upon myself to refit this barreled action into the old Ramline stock. I like the looks of the Ramline and I think with some Dremel work and a bit of bedding compound we can have a very serviceable finished rifle. The XX Claro Walnut stock will then just be for show.
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Skylerbone
Member
Good on you, Poper for making the tough but correct call, and I do pray the forthcoming replacement stock is miles ahead of the matchstick original. I suppose many simply won’t be bothered on seeing mismatched sloppy work, which speaks to how much you have committed to your endeavor.
OP
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Poper
Member
Well, Skyler, it is more of a project born out of affection for the old 788. It's been a pal on many a hunt and many more trips to the range. In my old age I just felt it was time to give the old girl a face lift.
I guess I just plain love this old gun.
OP
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Poper
Member
UPDATE:
The stock went back to Boyds and an unfinished replacement is expected in 3-4 weeks.
Gunsmith came down with COVID last week.
And so did I and my wife of 34 years. She is not doing so well, but I appear to be bouncing back ok. Just fatigue, no sense of taste (as opposed to just no taste) and headache.
I intend to get back to prepping brass as my energy level allows.
The stock went back to Boyds and an unfinished replacement is expected in 3-4 weeks.
Gunsmith came down with COVID last week.
And so did I and my wife of 34 years. She is not doing so well, but I appear to be bouncing back ok. Just fatigue, no sense of taste (as opposed to just no taste) and headache. I intend to get back to prepping brass as my energy level allows.
OP
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Poper
Member
Did brass flow into the ejector hole in the face of the bolt? The only time I have seen the need of a mallet/hammer to open a bolt was when the pressure got high enough to make the casehead brass flow into the ejector's hole on a Remington 700 action. It left a very bright, shiny circle where the brass was shaved off when the bolt turned.
horsemen61
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UPDATE:
The stock went back to Boyds and an unfinished replacement is expected in 3-4 weeks.
Gunsmith came down with COVID last week.
I intend to get back to prepping brass as my energy level allows.
I’m sorry to hear about your series of misfortune events I hope and pray all goes well for you and your wife! Enjoy the brass prep
OP
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Poper
Member
It will all work out, I am sure. It always does.
Just the typical bumps in the road is all.
Besides, I am in no hurry. Excited to see it get done, sure! But not in a hurry.
Skylerbone
Member
Take care of yourself, I’m 3 weeks post diagnosis and now home from the hospital a second time but everything is difficult at this point. I’m determined to venture to the range tomorrow with oxygen in tow though I don’t know if I’ll be shooting or simply watching.
Prayers for a speedy recovery for both of you (and your smith as well).
Prayers for a speedy recovery for both of you (and your smith as well).
Best wishes as well!
In fact i usually get shiny spots well before sticky bolt with federal and norma/nosler brass.... pretty much the only reason i sort my rifle brass actually are those two brands.
If im remembering correctly brass flow in "good" brass is indicative of pressures approaching 70k+.....ive seen it in some lots of soft brass at relatively low pressure tho.Did brass flow into the ejector hole in the face of the bolt? The only time I have seen the need of a mallet/hammer to open a bolt was when the pressure got high enough to make the casehead brass flow into the ejector's hole on a Remington 700 action. It left a very bright, shiny circle where the brass was shaved off when the bolt turned.
In fact i usually get shiny spots well before sticky bolt with federal and norma/nosler brass.... pretty much the only reason i sort my rifle brass actually are those two brands.
Dr T
Member
It was over 35 years ago, and i really don't remember. It was not as exciting as the gas flowing out of the ports when a primer perforated in the 788...The things we do in our youth...
OP
OP
Poper
Member
UPDATE:
Received notice this morning that Boyds has shipped the replacement stock. I wonder if the figure is what I expect of XX Claro Walnut?
Also, gunsmith says the barrelled action will be ready for pick-up tomorrow. (YAY!!)
Found a 6mm Creedmore RCBS Precision Mic at a local Sportsman's Warehouse.
Continuing my perusal of their stuff I found a box of Lapua 6mm CM brass, too! Beats the crap out of the Nosler stuff I picked up 3 weeks ago!
I have the old Ramline injection molded stock here at the house, so I am going to begin prepping it for 'glass bedding. The light varmint barrel contour of the new barrel will require opening up the barrel channel a little. A piece of oak and turn a dowel on the lathe to the appropriate diameter and wrapped with 80 grit sandpaper aught to open up the barrel channel. Some Dremel work around the recoil lug area should remove sufficient material and rough things up enough to give the bedding compound something to grab on to.
Guess I am going to have to break out the camera and give you guys some evidence of progress!
Received notice this morning that Boyds has shipped the replacement stock. I wonder if the figure is what I expect of XX Claro Walnut?
Also, gunsmith says the barrelled action will be ready for pick-up tomorrow. (YAY!!
)Found a 6mm Creedmore RCBS Precision Mic at a local Sportsman's Warehouse.
Continuing my perusal of their stuff I found a box of Lapua 6mm CM brass, too! Beats the crap out of the Nosler stuff I picked up 3 weeks ago!I have the old Ramline injection molded stock here at the house, so I am going to begin prepping it for 'glass bedding. The light varmint barrel contour of the new barrel will require opening up the barrel channel a little. A piece of oak and turn a dowel on the lathe to the appropriate diameter and wrapped with 80 grit sandpaper aught to open up the barrel channel. Some Dremel work around the recoil lug area should remove sufficient material and rough things up enough to give the bedding compound something to grab on to.
Guess I am going to have to break out the camera and give you guys some evidence of progress!
Those old Ramline stocks were made of fiberglass,and they were ugly and had some of the worst ergonomics I've ever seen.I have a Model 7 that I put in one of them way back in the late 80's.About 5 years ago I decided to do a makeover on that rifle and put a new barrel on it and redesigned the stock.I started removing material from it with a sawzall and a 4 inch side grinder.Once all the fat was trimmed off,I started back with some fiberglass body filler and a lot of sanding and shaping.When the dust settled,I had a stock that was a pound and a half lighter with McMillan style stippling,a palm swell and pillar bedding and is well balanced and fits me better than any other stock I have.I'll take any of those old things I can find.They were pretty bad,but can be made into a thing of functional beauty.
OP
OP
Poper
Member
UPDATE:
The barreled action is home again. Looks good!
Spent all day yesterday prepping the old Ramline stock for 'glass bedding.
Threw it in the trash today. My first time working with this stuff. I have used Devcon before with great results and even JB Weld and 30 Minute Epoxy worked out fine. But today I did something wrong, even though I followed the Acraglass instructions to the "T". After stirring for four minutes, the instructions say you have 15 minutes working time. Well, I poured it into the big volume areas (around the recoil jug) and brush applied some in the shallow areas (tang) and before I could plop the action into the soup, the 'glass flashed off! It got extremely hot to the touch and it stared to smoke! The stuff in the recoil lug pit was a solid block. The bit left in the mixing cup flashed off, too!
Well, I guess it was meant to be. The Boyds replacement stock is supposed to be here Monday.
Nuts.
The barreled action is home again. Looks good!
Spent all day yesterday prepping the old Ramline stock for 'glass bedding.
Threw it in the trash today. My first time working with this stuff. I have used Devcon before with great results and even JB Weld and 30 Minute Epoxy worked out fine. But today I did something wrong, even though I followed the Acraglass instructions to the "T". After stirring for four minutes, the instructions say you have 15 minutes working time. Well, I poured it into the big volume areas (around the recoil jug) and brush applied some in the shallow areas (tang) and before I could plop the action into the soup, the 'glass flashed off! It got extremely hot to the touch and it stared to smoke! The stuff in the recoil lug pit was a solid block. The bit left in the mixing cup flashed off, too!
Well, I guess it was meant to be. The Boyds replacement stock is supposed to be here Monday.
Nuts.
kmw1954
Member
So what do you think went wrong? Too much hardener? Too little and it takes forever to cure.
I used Marine-Tex epoxy on my Boyds and yes I too made a couple mistakes and ended up grinding it all out and redoing it.
Right now I am working on a Richards Microfit and at this point inletting the stock for pillars. It's slow going with sanding and fitting the bottom metal so it fits nicely and works with the pillars..
I used Marine-Tex epoxy on my Boyds and yes I too made a couple mistakes and ended up grinding it all out and redoing it.
Right now I am working on a Richards Microfit and at this point inletting the stock for pillars. It's slow going with sanding and fitting the bottom metal so it fits nicely and works with the pillars..
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