My last custom rifle

[C.O.B.]

My gunsmith announced his pending retirement earlier this year which set my wheels in motion. i have wanted a Manlicher stocked rifle for some time and was going to do it on the previous build but got sidetracked into a contemporary version of a 1930's era British stalking rifle in 275 Rigby

Anyway armed with this new info I found a 1909 Argentine Mauser. Most Manlicher rifles are carbines and I wanted a full rifle with a 24 inch barrel to maximize the efficiency of the cartridge. I chose the classic 6.5X55. It's worked for 120 years and I have a soft spot for the older calibers. The biggest problem was finding a stock blank that had some figure in it all the way to the muzzle. After a long search I found a piece of English walnut that fit my needs. I didn't go "all out" on this like I did the Rigby but some of the special features are inletted swivel studs, jeweled bolt and magazine follower,case colored but plate, grip cap and muzzle cap and bolt shroud. It's topped off with a Leupold Vari X 3 2.5X8.

This will undoubtedly be the last custom rifle I have built.....well maybe....but probably

[C.O.B.]

A couple more

[Hammer Gun]

Rich, That's a fine piece of wood and a beautiful gun! Gary

[6pt-Sika]

Very nice ! In regard to the 24” barrel I had a Sako pre vixen Mannlicher in 222 that had a 24” barrel . This was one of those with a square bolt back and a clip . Bought it when I was 14 or 15 for almost nothing kept it a year or two and sold it in Shotgun News and tripled my money . Wish I had it back now lols !

[nid-28]

I was about 18 when I fell in love with a Swedish Mauser carbine in 6.5x55. What a nice little gun. Your choice of caliber is exemplary and your gun is magnificent. Shoot it in good health. Merry Christmas.

[OH Osthaus]

I love every option in the choices

these are the times I wish I had more reason to be a rifleman

[Harold Pickens]

Rich, I rarely shoot high-powered rifles but when I do I grab my 6.5 by 55 Swedish it is an old Swedish Mauser that was stalked by Century Arms. Not a very pretty gun but it is always served me well when I needed it. Let your last rifle I think we are all laughing

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by Harold Lee Pickens

your last rifle I think we are all laughing

I don't know how much work Kip will be doing in the future if any. I would suspect he will still do some custom work. Rifles are like small bores I have more than I shoot but I like having them.

W. Clement Stone said "A goal once achieved no longer motivates" .

I'm working on breaking in the barrel, got about a dozen rounds in yesterday, shoot, clean shoot repeat. It was so cold that's all I could stand. I'm hoping to get in enough time behind the trigger ti be able to take her out for the late doe season which runs through Jan.1.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Rich Anderson

W. Clement Stone said "A goal once achieved no longer motivates" .

Oh so true

[Tom Flanigan]

I love guns stocked in the classic fashion. Great wood and the sculpted cheekpiece is extremely well done.