I've got this rifle that was "built" by my Dad, sometime around the late 60s/early 70s - I remember him having it from when I was pretty small, so it's not new by any stretch.
It started off as a Gewehr 98 Mauser, and he had it barreled for 25-06 Remington. He sent the bolt off to have a new bolt handle welded on, but the rest of the work - polishing the action, cutting down the magazine well for a slimmer profile, mounting the rings and scope, installing a Timney trigger, and finally stocking it - he did. He said he fitted the stock from a rough-out that he'd ordered - I don't know if he did the pistol grip cap and forend cap himself or not, and he's been gone since 1997, so he's not around to ask.
This rifle is really pretty amazing. I remember watching Dad use it for prairie dogs when I was growing up in Nebraska, and the guy rarely missed - I've seen him make shots on prairie dogs out past 300 yards, right on the money. In my own recent experience with it, I find that it's dead-on at 100 yards - it will put the bullet right in the center of the crosshair, so if I do my part, I'll absolutely hit what I'm aiming for.
Dad had some checkering tools, but I don't think he ever really got too involved with it - I don't think he had the patience to develop the skill to do it, and as a result, the stock on this rifle is smooth.
I've always felt that some checkering would add a lot to this old gun, but would it be a sacrilege to have it done? (I wouldn't dare attempt it myself - I'd send it to someone who knows what they are doing.)
If I did get it checkered, what would be a good style? Given the straight lines of the stock, I don't think rounded or fleur de lis patterns would look right, but I'm open to ideas.
Thoughts?
It started off as a Gewehr 98 Mauser, and he had it barreled for 25-06 Remington. He sent the bolt off to have a new bolt handle welded on, but the rest of the work - polishing the action, cutting down the magazine well for a slimmer profile, mounting the rings and scope, installing a Timney trigger, and finally stocking it - he did. He said he fitted the stock from a rough-out that he'd ordered - I don't know if he did the pistol grip cap and forend cap himself or not, and he's been gone since 1997, so he's not around to ask.
This rifle is really pretty amazing. I remember watching Dad use it for prairie dogs when I was growing up in Nebraska, and the guy rarely missed - I've seen him make shots on prairie dogs out past 300 yards, right on the money. In my own recent experience with it, I find that it's dead-on at 100 yards - it will put the bullet right in the center of the crosshair, so if I do my part, I'll absolutely hit what I'm aiming for.
Dad had some checkering tools, but I don't think he ever really got too involved with it - I don't think he had the patience to develop the skill to do it, and as a result, the stock on this rifle is smooth.
I've always felt that some checkering would add a lot to this old gun, but would it be a sacrilege to have it done? (I wouldn't dare attempt it myself - I'd send it to someone who knows what they are doing.)
If I did get it checkered, what would be a good style? Given the straight lines of the stock, I don't think rounded or fleur de lis patterns would look right, but I'm open to ideas.
Thoughts?
