Whitaker Special's

[Bruce_in_Oz]

A few years ago I got to fondle a complete canaian J-5550 rifle and a spare action.

Interesting concept.

However the notion of transferring the substantial .303 recoil from a VERY lightweight barreled action to the toothpick-like stock, via minuscule stubs at the rear of the receiver seemed a bit ambitious.

The Whitaker special as shown has a LOT more metal mass to absorb recoil, but it looks to have even LESS abutment area to transfer the recoil shove into the wood.

Furthermore, in a "rear-locking" action such as a No4, rumour has it that they flex and stretch on every shot; thus flogging the daylights out of the stock. Therefore, the BEST way to deal with this shoving and wobbling is as per millions of PROPER Lee Enfields; via the body ferrule / "socket".

it might be an interesting experiment to rig a No4 or No5 with an under-barrel hanger like the Ruger No1, as an aid to stabilizing the fore-end. Make it from square-section material and tinker with the method of fixing to the actual fore-end.

Another project tacked onto an already LONG list?