Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Made my first Rifle.

Hello all, Well I have finally finished a rifle that I started back in September. No laughing Please or at least not too loud lol, I started out with very little machining and woodworking knowledge and a Frank De Haas book, it is not perfect by any means but I think it came out well. I do not like the color of the stock so I am going to strip it and start over (plain maple nothing fancy). I figure this was good practice because I plan on building a 45/70 G on another De Haas design. Oh by the way it was made from the De Haas Chicopee CF design with a few modifications of my own. I have shot around 100 standard (factory pressure) rounds through it after the proof pressure rounds with no problems with the function or any change in chamber or action dimensions. I did all the load work and proofing with J word bullets but now will start on what I originally built it for wich was Black powder and Cast boolits. So what do you all think? bear in mind that this is a beginners first attempt at making a rifle from scratch.

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Looks pretty good to me for a first go at building a rife. I am not a gunsmith but do applaud you for taking on the project to completion.

I don't think it looks bad at all. I think the forearm would look better rounded without the angular piece extending toward the bottom of the action, and maybe thin the grip a little in the cap area but overall you are to be congratulated.

Anytime someone actually gets off the couch and works to accomplish a goal, that's something to be proud of. I'm sure your future efforts will just get better and better. I've forged a few knives and my first attempts were horrendous compared to later efforts.

And WELCOME TO THE FIRE!

I think it looks awesome. better than the factory single shots. Wish I had the skills

If you are serious about redoing the stock, do some web research on a treatment called aqua fortis. It is an acid solution that does cool stuff with most maple. If you have scrap pieces of stock wood, I suggest you test the aqua fortis on there first.

I couldnt' do that kind of metal machining. Seems to shoot very well indeed! So the wood is a little plain. That just means you don't have to worry about banging it up. . You can work on new wood and still shoot it too.

Congratulations!

Looks good!

Make me one just like a Merkel K3,except with a straight carbon fiber stock. It should weigh about 4 lbs.

Dude excellent work you needn't apologize for a thing that's a heckofa lot better rifle than I could ever dream up! Good work!

Did you machine the action too ? Very Very nice. Wishing I had the skill.



And YES- Don't apologize. Looks wonderful to me. If you want a different stock, try some highly figured hardwood of your choice.

Cool project!!!