Big bore build, grouse to Cape buffalo

[Robobiss]

Wow, what a beauty of a rifle you have there. Excited to see all that you do with this.

 

[Sinistram]

Outstanding! Sub'd for sure.

You've got quite the project in front of you, and it sounds like you have ample time to work on it. Winter is coming, and there's nothing that passes the time better than carving away on a wood stock in the shop. You can kill hours down there without realizing it. If you weren't already aware, you might want to read up on some of the experts of stock making, D'Arcy Echols, Curt Crum, et al. They've published enough articles on stocking big bore rifles to give you some pointers so you can avoid any issues down the road. The highlights are - bed the crap out of it, leave some room at the tang (~1/16") and put a few crossbolts in so it doesn't move. Speaking from experience, a split rifle stock is an absolute heartbreaker (and really expensive to fix!). The grain flow on your blank looks textbook perfect, flows almost the whole way from tip to tail! gonna be a beaut when it's finished.

Also, the "grouse loads" olde tyme guys used were usually some type of fast pistol powder in a small quantity. I can't recommend doing that, but others have mentioned H4895 and Trail Boss, and they work great at giving everyday shootable loads. I have some for my 416 Rem. that approximate moderate 45/70 ballistics, and you could blast all day. Plus, it means you can take it for deer, black bear, or whatever and get the rifle some extra time in the field - and confidently explode fruits and veggies.

 

[Decker9]

Outstanding! Sub'd for sure.

You've got quite the project in front of you, and it sounds like you have ample time to work on it. Winter is coming, and there's nothing that passes the time better than carving away on a wood stock in the shop. You can kill hours down there without realizing it. If you weren't already aware, you might want to read up on some of the experts of stock making, D'Arcy Echols, Curt Crum, et al. They've published enough articles on stocking big bore rifles to give you some pointers so you can avoid any issues down the road. The highlights are - bed the crap out of it, leave some room at the tang (~1/16") and put a few crossbolts in so it doesn't move. Speaking from experience, a split rifle stock is an absolute heartbreaker (and really expensive to fix!). The grain flow on your blank looks textbook perfect, flows almost the whole way from tip to tail! gonna be a beaut when it's finished.

Also, the "grouse loads" olde tyme guys used were usually some type of fast pistol powder in a small quantity. I can't recommend doing that, but others have mentioned H4895 and Trail Boss, and they work great at giving everyday shootable loads. I have some for my 416 Rem. that approximate moderate 45/70 ballistics, and you could blast all day. Plus, it means you can take it for deer, black bear, or whatever and get the rifle some extra time in the field - and confidently explode fruits and veggies.

Thanks a bunch for the book recommendations! I will look into them. The big bore recoil and stock cracking is on my radar. So far I’ve inletted the trigger mortise’s with lots of room for the trigger assembly. Looking at the couple stocks here for this .458, the wood is taken “just enough” to get the metal into the wood and function. I’ll be taking more attention to detail in leaving ample wood for superior strength… is my goal anyway lol.

I have a couple external cross bolts here, I’ve never installed them but have read up on it a bunch. I did add internal cross bolts to a .375 h&h I restocked,so far so good with the cracking, knock on wood! Lol

I use H4895 in a few 375’s, I like the stuff. I still get decent velocity’s but I think I can notice a lighter push vs a couple other powders I’ve used.

The freezers pretty empty so I plan to hit up the rest of the season here, come mid November’ish I’ll be starting to get things figured out on the blank. I’m excited to tie into it!

 

[Rotnguns]

Say, that is going to be a beautiful rifle! Congrats on your attention to detail and your fine workmanship. Thanks for sharing your story with us!

 

[dneaster3]

As I read and saw the first few photos I was thinking "Nooo! That grain is all wrong and you're missing too much burl at the end!" Then in your next few posts you fixed it and made great choices. Whew!

And the best part is the family connection to the rifle's history. There is something very special when you're carrying the previous owners with you in the field.

Can't wait to see how this one comes out!

 

[gentleman4561]

Awesome project! Excited to see the final result.

 

[eLightfoot]

I dig following your builds! I just got the work my barreled action is shipping back to me. I’ll be able to finish my first stock.
Just pick up this screamin piece of English for the future