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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Building Double Rifles & Gunsmithing
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Caprivi
.375 member


Reged: 30/09/08
Posts: 811
Loc: America's Serengeti, Buffalo W...
Building a single shot in .303
      #116216 - 04/10/08 01:21 AM

I have long wanted a single shot in the classic British form. I love the lines of these classic rifles. I have not found an original that is in the condition or in the price range or in the caliber that suits me. I debated finding a suitable donor and building what I want, but have a dilema cutting up an original. I really like the 1897 Farq and the 1871 Westley Richards. Actually both would be great as a nice trim Farq in .303 coupled with a WR in .500 would allow me to die a quite contented man.

I researching this project I have found a potential sourse of sactions in Action Castings LLC. http://www.actioncastings.us
Obviously these are cast hence the name, using the lost wax method and in semi-finished form are nearly embarringly inexpensive. 400.00 or so shipped for the standard size action. I know all the negative conintations of cast actions. But Ruger uses it very successfully in there rifles, as does Shiloh Sharps and a few others. I am thinking I can do one of these with nice wood and a 28" shilen with proper sights for 2g's or less.

Any input is graciously accepted.

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To live life as it is handed to me from God

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RLI
.375 member


Reged: 01/10/03
Posts: 534
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: Caprivi]
      #116225 - 04/10/08 06:51 AM

I heard Ballard Rifle Co. may make the Farquarson action that Hein intended to, as Hein has gone belly up. That would be a good action to get.

Steve

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"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." — John Wayne

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Caprivi
.375 member


Reged: 30/09/08
Posts: 811
Loc: America's Serengeti, Buffalo W...
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: RLI]
      #116243 - 04/10/08 02:16 PM

I have called and emailed Ballard about this and they seem to be less responsive than Hein was. I don't think I want a Hein reference anything. On the last Hein 98 (LH 416)I saw, the reciever ring had "stretched" and cracked the stock. Kinda scary actually.

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God

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Glenn_Fewless
.300 member


Reged: 08/05/08
Posts: 103
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: Caprivi]
      #116578 - 10/10/08 04:25 AM

Mr. Caprivi:

Building an action from castings is a huge undertaking. It can be done, but not with just hand tools. You need tool machines or access to them. If you are good with a file and have a lot of patience it can be done, hiring out some operations to a tool shop if necessary. Still, it is not a task to be taken lightly.

I am in complete agreement with you taste in actions. I too covet a Westley Richards Model of '71. I hope to someday find a battered military action to work with. (If there are any out there that are going begging, don't hesitate to write <g>) The Farquharson is a wonderful action. You need to have one in your hands to really appreciate how nice they are.

FWIW, there are two other British single shot action reproductions on the horizon. The first is a Fraser, the first of which should be done by the end of the year. It will not be a cheap date but from what I have seen it will be a finely made action.

The other is a Westley Richards Model of '97. This is still in the planning stages but if it happens the action will be a thing of beauty. The man who is looking at it really knows what he is doing.

Things are looking up for us British single shot junkies.

Glenn

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Caprivi
.375 member


Reged: 30/09/08
Posts: 811
Loc: America's Serengeti, Buffalo W...
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: Glenn_Fewless]
      #116588 - 10/10/08 12:10 PM

Hello Glenn,

I am fully capable of the machining/finishing needed. I was more curious as to whether anyone has used one of these. Click on the link in my original thread. That is a actual picture of a "semi-finished" action ready to ship. You can thread a barrel stick on wood and shot one. The "semi" apparently is in the fit and finish. These are of the WR 1897 style pattern. A Fraser repo would indeed be nice, pending which version they are making. Hell, just a original WR with a 1897 or a Deely & Edge action in .256, .303 or .450 in 95+% condition priced like a new Remington would be really nice

Indeed things are looking up.

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God

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Glenn_Fewless
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Reged: 08/05/08
Posts: 103
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: Caprivi]
      #116608 - 10/10/08 04:33 PM

Mr. Caprivi:

Ok, I was thinking of a different casting set. This one, while called a Farquharson, is really a Westley Richards '97 as you mention. I assume that the casting set is workable, because it has been around a long time. In fact, Leonard Bull was teaching a summer class at Trinidad State College, the course being the building of this action from castings. He may still be doing so.

The Fraser action in progress is a later full sized action with the thumb latch lever.

Glenn

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belgmart
.275 member


Reged: 29/02/04
Posts: 78
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: Glenn_Fewless]
      #118777 - 13/11/08 05:35 AM

Glenn,

That Fraser - would it be the Griffin one? Or another one? what price category are we talking here? I am lusting for a Fraser sidelever...

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Martini's Rule!

Edited by belgmart (13/11/08 05:36 AM)

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SharpsNitro
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Reged: 12/08/08
Posts: 729
Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: RLI]
      #118780 - 13/11/08 07:16 AM

FWIW, Ballard has a new website up and they are now listing the Farquharson. Zero information or details on it yet but the page is ready for them to fill in the blanks.

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Glenn_Fewless
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Reged: 08/05/08
Posts: 103
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: belgmart]
      #118803 - 13/11/08 05:06 PM

Gert:

No, not the Griffin. This one is a real Fraser. I expected to have one by now in order to barrel it in time for the Guild show, but apparently there has been a snag. The barrel and reamer are on order. The idea is to duplicate an original stepped barrel with a full length rib. I have seen the prototypes and it is going to be a fine action, but not cheap. I will post some pictures as soon as I get the action.

Glenn

Edited by Glenn_Fewless (13/11/08 05:39 PM)

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26991
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: Caprivi]
      #118822 - 14/11/08 02:25 AM

Caprivi- I really like the idea of the cast Farquarson that is filed - $400.00 is an amazing price. Don't hesitate! Send it up here and I'll finish it for you - oh yeah, send the barrel too, I already have a reamer! I'd even work up some loads. Since you are a handloader, get the barrel in .308" groove diameter so you can use 220gr Hornady's- they are excellent for that ctg. I'm doing up a P-17 in one right now, with a .299" pilot on the reamer. Chambered perfectly. Shoots factory .303's perfectly as well due to the proepr neck diameter of the chamber.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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wyoske
.224 member


Reged: 15/10/08
Posts: 7
Loc: Wyoming
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: Caprivi]
      #118844 - 14/11/08 12:44 PM

Caprivi,
I have a set of the castings right down here in Converse county. Ive been a Guild metalsmith and I can tell you that what I have in my hand is far from "semi". I looked at their website again and they do say they will offer semi finished ones. I might be able to post some pictures if you would like. If you are going to be in Casper PM me and you can look it over.
Ive never posted pictures before, but Ill try. Brian.

--------------------
BRS

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CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: wyoske]
      #118860 - 15/11/08 12:11 AM

Brian,

If you have trouble posting photos you can email them to me and I'll post them. My email address is listed in my profile.

But you can do it yourself with a little effort. Here is a link to step-by-step directions.

Posting Photos on NE.com

Unfortunately, NitroX's link there is a bit out of date. Scroll down and there is a reference to another photo hosting link. Many members use PhotoBucket.com also. The method is the same, no matter where you host your photos.

Good luck!
Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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wyoske
.224 member


Reged: 15/10/08
Posts: 7
Loc: Wyoming
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: CptCurl]
      #119443 - 25/11/08 02:13 AM

Sorry for the delayed answer, hunting seasson gets a little busy. Thank You, havent tried yet but I will.

--------------------
BRS

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Nailcreek
.300 member


Reged: 13/08/08
Posts: 150
Loc: Saukville, WI, USA
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: wyoske]
      #119927 - 01/12/08 10:20 AM

I have to admit .. a Ruger No.1 in 303 would "rock" ...

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Veni, Vedici, Veggie ... I came, I saw, I had a salad.

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TilleyMan
.333 member


Reged: 23/08/05
Posts: 272
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: Nailcreek]
      #121452 - 18/12/08 01:06 PM

You mean something like this?

The late, great Jack Millar produced this rather elegant Ruger No 1 stalking rifle in .303:

Engraving by Phil Vinnicombe...

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AzGuy
.333 member


Reged: 23/03/06
Posts: 388
Loc: Prescott, Arizona, USA
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: TilleyMan]
      #121457 - 18/12/08 03:48 PM

TilleyMan,

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Is it yours?

--------------------
Hike the Grand Canyon, you will never be the same!

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TilleyMan
.333 member


Reged: 23/08/05
Posts: 272
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Building a single shot in .303 [Re: AzGuy]
      #121648 - 20/12/08 03:16 PM

AzGuy
Sadly not mine... but exactly the sort of thing I would like to recreate one day... it has a certain 'restrained elegance'.

I bought some parts from Jack not long before he passed away, and I had asked him about his most pleasing jobs over a long career as one of Australia's finest custom gunsmiths.

He mentioned this .303 as one of his favourites and was kind enough to send me some hard copy photos which I scanned.

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