50 Alaskan project

[Lee Martin]

Not a Ruger, but I thought some of you may still be interested
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My dad and I started my 50 Alaskan this weekend using a Siamese Mauser. Like the 44 Special project, I thought I'd photo document one of our rifle builds (may be a surprise to some of you, but we build way more rifles than revolvers):

Siamese Mauser action, circa 1903. For being 109 years old it's in excellent condition and still retains most of its blue:

Some rail modification will be required for feeding, but not as much as I originally thought:

Siamese Mausers have a small barrel step on the main ring. We machined this off and also trued the front of the action:

I'll post more photos as this progresses. Up next is opening the bolt face, grinding the extractor, and re-contouring the bolt handle.

 

[pisgah]

Looking forward to future installments.
Ought to be a real thumper!

 

[Lee Martin]

Yep, it'll hit hard. I just finished a 500 Maximum on a Ruger so this'll be a nice companion piece. I'll definitely post updates.

 

[Boxhead]

Cool. The guy I bought my 500 Linebaugh Nimrod from had a companion 50 Alaskan lever gun for his pair. The rifle was a beautiful custom with a heavy octagon barrel, express sights, the works. He sent pictures of the elephant he thumped with it using some of Kelye's bullets. The Nimrod was a bargain and he was throwing in the rifle darn cheap too. To this day I regret not buying it.

 

[Lee Martin]

This project has lagged but we're making progress now. The hold-up has been the stock but it'll arrive this week. I wanted it before dropping $300 on a Pac Nor barrel. While Richardson Micro-Fit told me the channel dimensions I want to measure off the finished blank. I ordered gray laminate with a Decelerator and swivels installed. It should be nice.

The good news is the action is done. The bolt face has been opened, we worked the feed ramps, and the handle is re-contoured:

My dad also ground a 50 Alaskan reamer this past week:

I'll keep you posted as we move along.

 

[Lee Martin]

Good and bad news. The good news is my stock arrived. The bad news is it isn't what I ordered. Richards cut black and gray laminate but they installed a rosewood fore-end and grip cap:

I called them yesterday though and they were great. Agreed to start cutting a new stock even before I return this one. If any of you need custom stocks at a reasonable price, I recommend Richards.

 

[Lee Martin]

Well, my revised stock just arrived and I'm pleased:

The barrel channel was cut at 1.0" which is perfect for .50-cal. The only thing I'll change before finishing it is the recoil pad (upgrade to a Pachmyr Decelerator).

I also just ordered the front barrel band and sight blade from Midway:

Haven't purchased the rear sight yet but it'll be a multiple folding leaf type.

The barrel order went in to Pac Nor on Monday (stainless, 1:18", 6 groove). The only downside is they've recently retooled and turnaround is 10 - 14 weeks.