Just starting out on a .404 build you guys may or may not be interested in. It is being built on a Brno 602 Magnum action, It was to be on a standard length Mauser 98 action but the Brno came up and I couldn't say no. The action came with a fair amount of surface corrosion that the previous owner tried to remove, and I will have to finish with plenty of elbow grease.
The back to front Brno safety is going for a one way trip to the rubbish bin, why Brno made them like that is anyone's guess. A safety from Danie Joubert in South Africa should be on the door step any day now, it looks like a Model 70 Winchester safety. This will remove any problems or confusion ensuring the safety is off when something big and ugly wants to harm me.
The barrel is going to be 23" long (or short?) as I would like to keep the whole rig short to aid in pointability. The barrel will have a barrel band for the sling, even though it won't be carrying a sling when chasing nasties anyway. Express sights NECG probably, but not the front sight with the barrel band, something slimmer is the go. Those front sight barrel bands look so lumpy sitting on a already fat barrel, and I have no idea of what function they serve other than cosmetic.
The stock came from NZ and was carved on a pantograph so was a bit rough to begin with. I have now cleaned it up a bit and it is going to be OK, I put a bit of oil on a section to see what colour I would get and that seems to be OK too. I'm hoping to get a piece of Buffalo or even Banteng horn for the forend tip, everyone has ebony. I've just finished inletting the action and I am pretty happy with that.
Most of the work will be done by myself especially on the stock, as I enjoy doing it, and get great pride looking at a rifle that I have helped to create. I will try to keep this updated regularly and everyones opinion whether negative or positive is most welcome, as I may get some ideas I have not thought of.
I am now going to try and attach a couple of photos, if they don't come out maybe someone can start by telling me how to do that.

Cheers, Bill

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