Short Barrel
Blackhawk
Back in 1976,I bought a little barreled action in .223 with the intentions of putting together a fairly light,compact Mannlicher style gun for varmints.The action and barrel were made by Sako for H+R,as their little "Ultra Wild cat" model.The action is the L461 "round top",glassy smooth and holds 6 rounds in the magazine.
I had Fajen work me up a semi finished,classic,Mannlicher stock of black walnut.I don't remember the grade of wood but it was the best I could afford.Their choice of wood was perfect as Mannlichers need very straight grain in the long forend,yet there is great crotch figure in the butt.
I got it put together and a finish on it and started hunting with it before really doing all I had set out to do,including checkering.It's been a good little gun but I always felt it was not quite finished.A few years ago I robbed the scope off it so it has been idle.A few months ago I got a new scope for it and decided this thing needed a tune up.
I refinished the stock and fixed all my past booboos.The metal needed some cosmetic flaws fixed and I always wanted a hooded front sight on it to finish off the Mannlicher look.I also wanted a matt blue.The butt plate was a curved,steel one that had 20 line checkering and I couldn't find a steel grip cap to match so I made one from black micarta,with 20 line checkering.
I sent the metal to Jack Huntington to fix and finish and decided to send the stock to Ahlman's in Minnesota for checkering,rather than doing it myself.I chose a classic,wrap around point pattern and asked that they checker in 20 line if at all possible.They did.
It only took Jack and Ahlman's 3 weeks to finish the work and I was able to finally put this thing together and it looks exactly like I had originally planned,probably even a little better.I recently got some 55 gr Hornady SP ammo and it seems it really likes that stuff so I think this one is finally finished.The barrel is 18" and 37 1/2" overall.Before scope it weighs 6 lbs. 2 oz and really balances well.It just feels right.Here are a few pictures.
I had Fajen work me up a semi finished,classic,Mannlicher stock of black walnut.I don't remember the grade of wood but it was the best I could afford.Their choice of wood was perfect as Mannlichers need very straight grain in the long forend,yet there is great crotch figure in the butt.
I got it put together and a finish on it and started hunting with it before really doing all I had set out to do,including checkering.It's been a good little gun but I always felt it was not quite finished.A few years ago I robbed the scope off it so it has been idle.A few months ago I got a new scope for it and decided this thing needed a tune up.
I refinished the stock and fixed all my past booboos.The metal needed some cosmetic flaws fixed and I always wanted a hooded front sight on it to finish off the Mannlicher look.I also wanted a matt blue.The butt plate was a curved,steel one that had 20 line checkering and I couldn't find a steel grip cap to match so I made one from black micarta,with 20 line checkering.
I sent the metal to Jack Huntington to fix and finish and decided to send the stock to Ahlman's in Minnesota for checkering,rather than doing it myself.I chose a classic,wrap around point pattern and asked that they checker in 20 line if at all possible.They did.
It only took Jack and Ahlman's 3 weeks to finish the work and I was able to finally put this thing together and it looks exactly like I had originally planned,probably even a little better.I recently got some 55 gr Hornady SP ammo and it seems it really likes that stuff so I think this one is finally finished.The barrel is 18" and 37 1/2" overall.Before scope it weighs 6 lbs. 2 oz and really balances well.It just feels right.Here are a few pictures.
