a4 sporter?

[Mike D]

You've got a long way to go on that project, and likely have close to $1,500 in it before its all said and done. Original barrel would have been dated 8 or 9-43. Doesn't matter for your shooter, though. Good luck, and I hope to see photos of the finished product one day!

Mike

[ed skeels]

If I remember correctly in Vietnam they put the scopes in "hot boxes" to defog them. Probably a box with a light bulb in it. Also held captive spiders to get filament for the crosshairs. Obviously before inert gas and proper sized wire. I'm thinking that was in Major Plasters Sniper book.
Deer hunter's would leave their rifles outside to keep the temperature change from fogging up their scopes.
Ed

[ssgross]

You've got a long way to go on that project, and likely have close to $1,500 in it before its all said and done

certainly not my first one. parts are still easy to come by. You're not far off in your estimate. I keep a spreadsheet for each rifle I do to keep it within reason. This one should come in ~1200 including sending it out to get parked (chuck is on vacation till Aug 1) - already having the base, and the correct bolt, are a big savings. I may splurge and get rid of the the milled bottom metal it came with - the rear of the trigger gaurd was ground to pinch it in and "narrow waist" just before the rear screw.
My barrel came in, 3-44, 2 groove, still in the wrap.

[browningautorifle]

If I remember correctly

All good info Ed, I'd never given any of that thought as I just thought scopes were gassed or some such for ages... Makes sense though that even some of the user scopes lying around gunshows never had gas. Must be why I have a hard time buying an old scope.

[ssgross]

Barreled action is off at Chuck's for parkerizing. I've agonized for a week on what to do with the stock...I have 3 options.
Do another Minelli - meh. they fit good, but the wood is usually sapwood, or a mix under the spray-tan they put on it.
I have an original scant stock, but the wood is "tired" and loose. I'd have to file down - likely heavily - the top of the magazine and top of the front trigger gaurd bushing to get it to work again.
splurge on a NOS scant 1903 1903A3 STOCK `SCANT` TYPE 12 COMPLETE WITH HAND GUARD

I think when I get it back, I'll slap it in the stock of my last 03a3 I did, and make sure it shoots before splurging on a NOS scant. If it shoots it would be worth it since I have an original a4 receiver. I'like to make it as original as possible...maybe even complete with a cartouche - but with my initials to make it obvious

[Snowman1510]

Anything new in the project?

[Mt203]

Sarco has the same scant stocks for $199. Just did one on an a3.

[ssgross]

Sarco has the same scant stocks for $199. Just did one on an a3.

I just checked their site. no scant stocks available. I did see new production straight stocks with finger grooves for $150.

Anything new in the project?

perfect timing. I've been grinding away at my krag project while I wait for this one to be parkerized. I just got a tracking text this morning and my barreled action is on it's way back and will be here by Fri.

Was going to order my stock on payday...the expensive NOS one at Northridge. It looks like the bolt recess was cut during final fitting back in the day...and so I will need to carefully do it myself to match the originals. Can someone kindly take several detailed pics of the cutout for me? Perhaps with some measurements or scale in the pics? I do not have an original to go off of.
I found this https://www.northwestfirearms.com/th...ticity.349942/

use the link to that thread for high-res-zoomed in pics.

[ed skeels]

Straight in with a ball mill, back out a little, then up to make the cut?

[ssgross]

Straight in with a ball mill, back out a little, then up to make the cut?

need to measure the bolt root...diameter should be just a shade larger than it. I may have the right bit in my kit.