Thank you for this information Igorrock . I had aquired a pristine bore Sako M39 that someone had shortened the barrel to 24" and placed in a synthetic stock . I was worried that it was too short but now I am relieved . I will keep the rifle in the original 7.62x53r due to availability of ammunition . Our friend Bokmal sent me a picture of that rare drum sight : my sights will be from the Sako forester so close . I am reshaping the stock now to the correct proportions as the stockmaker had only a monte Carlo design inletted for the mosin . So I have a bit of whittling to do .