I'm starting to gather the pieces for a 6.5X55 build. This will be a full Mannlicher stocked rifle. I have contacted Cecil Fredi regarding a blank. I have had exceptional examples from Cecil in the past but would like to explore other options. If anyone has a reference and would care to pass it along I'd appreciate it.
I have bought many blanks from Roger Vardy in Australia. All blanks are 10 plus year dried. Shipping is as reasonable as most charge in the USA. http://rogervardystockwood.com/ I've only had one questionable blank from Roger. Didn't see it until it was duplicated. He immediately replaced it with a grade better blank. Remember our US dollar really helps on the exchange rate. The Aussie dollar is worth $.79 to $1.00 USD
If you have any reason at all to go to Vegas, go and take a day or two to look over Cecil's warehouse - I guarantee you'll find what you want and probably at a much better price. I was out there and he spent most of day taking me around his place (well over a hundred big game mounts). I picked three or four English and Claro blanks and he asked if I found what I was looking for - told him I wanted something blonde in Claro for a build for my daughter. He pulls out this glorious Bastogne blank - really huge - and said here this is for her - FREE!. I apologize for the pictures. The light was poor so the actual color is lighter that as appears in the picsl. Had so much wood, I had a knife made for her with the scales that match the rifle. Bottomline the tour is worth the time and effort. Really great guy. Last full stock build I did from scratch. Daughter is petite & little over 100lbs. LOP a little over 12 in on Rem 700LA; 22-in sporterweight 270 - yes she shoots a 270 and her choice.
AKA The P-Man
If you cherish your memories with kids, be a good role model . . . . so the RIGHT memories of you mean something to them.
I have bought a lot of blanks from Cecil and have always been satisfied. A niece piece of English I was using for a custom Fox shotgun showed a defect after the stock was headed up and he replaced it no problem. I went to him first but this time just didn't see anything that really spoke to me.
