Finally finished up the wood on my latest franken-99. Brux stainless barrel chambered and threaded by our own CTW, Thanks Chris, beautiful work!! I haven't shot it yet, but hopefully this next weekend.
...oh, did I mention it's in 7mm-08!
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/12206762#Post12206762
Nice, very nice!
How long is the barrel?
What's it weigh?
Lovely! Kudos to you guys!
Nice rifle T-I-N-K-E-R-B-E-L-L!
Looks Great Jeff, Hope it shoots as good as it looks!
Very nice. I've noticed the stylized pads on the butt stock seem to be your thing. What was your inspiration?
Barrel length is 24", about a #2.5 sporter taper, just a twitch under 3/4" at the muzzle. Overall I'd call it a bit heavy, I haven't weighed it, but I'd guess 8 lbs with the scope on. It still balances for the one-hand receiver carry. I expect the Brux barrel to be a laser, especially given the BARREL IS FREE-FLOATED over my top secret forearm bracket (note the take-down forearm frame)!
The stylized cheek pads just evolved from my first attempt at trying to follow the lines of the lever boss and the curved lever. It is inspired by a hawks beak (translated from the German: schnable) I could never warm up to the H models with no cheek pads, so i went the opposite direction when I started whittling my own. I've grown accustomed to it, I'm trying figure out where to add the pixie wings.
Jeff, we were talking about your secret free floating barrels at the Savage get-together this weekend. OHOH, if we were talking about it, is it still a secret? Since you said it may be a tad heavy, might I suggest the pixie wings go on the front of the scope, so she can help hold it up, Joe.
Have to agree, a very nice job
those side pads really set it off
The rifle came out great, I like your scope choice. Looking forward to the range report.
We finally got this rifle to the range over the weekend. It was a surprise retirement gift for my brother-in-law Joe, and I led him on by asking him to bring some of his reloads because I was trying to work out the kinks on a new 7-08 (his all-time favorite caliber).
With just whatever ammo he brought, I'd say this rifle shows promise!
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/medium/50874.jpg
What a gift!! I hope he appreciated it as much as I would!!
![[Linked Image]](https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/50874.jpg)
It seems like he appreciated Mike..he bought lunch!
But seriously, Joe is one of the most generous people I ever met. If he was ever asked to help with anything his only questions were "when?" and "where?" He's helped me more than I could help myself sometimes.
His real claim to fame was that he would always listen whenever someone claimed that they "always wanted such and such". He would set himself to the task of helping, convincing, cajoling them until they finally got it. He helped me get to Alaska that way. And cost me wheel barrow loads of cash on countless other personal achievements.
I told him that I always wanted to be able to shoot better than him, and he responded, "Sorry Pal, that ain't gonna happen". I bet him a pizza I could shoot a better five shot group at 300yds. "You're on!" was his quick-draw response to that, as he started toward the gun rack. Long story longer, I spent a year, and a bunch of cash building a 6BR bench gun which could out-shoot his best rifle. I shot a 1.16" group - great! He shot a group with my rifle, and I ordered us pizza!
He said He'd always wanted a 99, but wouldn't settle for anything but a 7-08, and claimed the clip magazine, ..and the cost, killed it for him. ...These were convenient excuses for why he never had a 99, but it was really because he preferred Ruger #3's. I promised to help him find a 99 he'd fall in love with.
Jeff
Did you measure the 120 grain 100 yard group? Also wondering the powder choice for it 223?
The 120g TTSX 100yd 3-shot group is just over 1/2" with a steel rule, we didn't have calipers or chrony with us. The charge was 46g of Hodgdons CFE223, and it shoots well in at least two other 7-08s. The post-mil trigger is very reasonable without any fooling with it. The tang safety is even an advantage on this one, being more familiar to the other rifle styles that Joe hunts... Joe will have to get used to 99 lever safeties on his own dime I'm afraid.
Awesome, just freaking awesome!
Beautiful wood on that paddle.....