I owe to the true to admit that we were somewhat skeptical when Mike asked us if we agreed to build a big game rifle using a 1958 proofed Mannlicher-Schöenauer Mod.1956 cal. 458 WM as a foundation.
The challenge was to do the rifle in DORLEAC fashion with the following requirements:
wide field of view removable classic scope, express sights and some sort of ghost ring for quick shoot.
We selected a S&B 1,25-4x24 scope with prismatic rail under main tube and mounted it on special made claw mounts.
For us it appears that it's the best way to scope the split bridge Schöenauer action when you want an easy detachable mount with perfect zero return.
In order to adapt our stock pattern we machined a new solid trigger guard and fitted a newly made adjustable trigger that goes slightly further to the rear allowing a more confortable grip.
On the bolt we have inletted a small buffalo horn tip dovetailed in the spoon handle. We have seen that conversion done on pre WW1 Westley-Richards M-S and we believe that it was done for an easier operation of the bolt without being hurt by the edges of the spoon.
We have completed the fitting with a period Parker-Hale folding peep sight brazed on the bolt shroud. It has been made so it can be used as a ghost ring without interference in handling with the low mounted scope and it benefits of the option of two apertures, a wide ghost and a more accurate one.
The last problem was with the stock and the walnut blank.
The Mannlicher stock is heavily relieved and as the rifle will be stocked DORLEAC style it will get some form of slim stock.
Indeed the action is bedded but our experience with such heavy recoiling rifles that will be used in Africa is to select a walnut blank with good grain flow.
We have preferred to use well-seasoned French walnut (Juglans Regia) even if it doesn't display as much figures than Turkish woods.
Here is the near completed rifle in the white.

Best regards.

Regards to all.

DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com

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