44 fanatics

[J.B.]

Yes... after stirring up the '44 fanatics' .... and then going covert... Well..that's just unfair. Pictures ...photos...stories... No snow blowers here.. running about 85+ F, and dry as a 'dead dingoes ****** '.

Gavin.

[Nuclearcricket]

Kurt, been kind of busy making scope caps and stuff. I will get some pics up soon. I am still not sure that I made the right decision with going with the Winchester 3.5 taper, but I will say this much, it holds much better and feels much better than it did with the original barrel, and it was 1 1/8 straight. As stated it has been fired just one time by my smith, the load was a case full of Elephant 1F, very little recoil. So far the only down side I see is that perhaps the neck area in the chamber is a touch bigger than I would prefer as an as cast bullet will drop right in, but I have a bushing die and should not have to size the neck more than a couple of thousand's.
Now not to change the subject, but the project that has been keeping me busy, other than trying to stay warm, was to produce a couple of front lock rings for Lyman super targetspot scopes. These rings lock the front adjustment on the scopes and also hold the front scope cover. A very interesting chalange and one I am happy to see finished.
Sam

[Don McDowell]

We need pictures of that scope project also.

[Nuclearcricket]

We need pictures of that scope project also.

Ok here are some pics. The rifle isn't anything fancy but it looks much nicer with a bit longer and tapered barrel.
   
When I picked up my rifle, the smith also gave me the end of the barrel that he cut off. I have found that there is a really big difference between looking down 35" of barrel and being able to look up close at 4". For those that have never seen the inside of a Green Mountain barrel, here you go.
   
Don, not sure what all scope pics you wanted to see so here are a couple. First is the Lyman STS lock ring that I have been working on. Not too much info to go on, just a picture and the outside diameter of the threads that it screws on to. I had made scope caps before for this model so I knew what I needed to cut for the cap. I delivered one for a customer to test fit and he was happy so I guess I did ok.
   
My other scope project was to make a BPCR Shiloutte legal scope. This is pretty close to a Unertl small game scope, but it has a Fecker ring in the middle since I couldn't get the right Unertl parts. Also shown is the parts that go inside, erector lens holder, light baffel and reticule. Not shown are the scope caps and lens lock rings. I didn't make the len's, I got them from Edmonds.
   
Sam

[Don McDowell]

Neat stuff Sam, thanks.

[Kurt]

Sam.

That is a fine looking rifle for sure. Is that in the .44-77 caliber?

I had parts for a 30X Targetspot I bent the tub when rolling down a steep bank. I looked for them last night but I must have given them away. I cant find them. But looks like you are doing a fine job making them.
Here is a place you might get some parts. http://unertl.alexweb.net/lyman_stp.htm

Hit the wrong button and have to edit

A few questions on the GM barrel.
What is the ROT and bore/groove and I don't know what a 3.5 winchester taper is.

Kurt

[Nuclearcricket]

Its a 17" twist, .438/.446. Yes it is .44-77, cut with a PTG reamer. It does not have the 5 deg lead, so I will try it as it is, maybe in the future pick up a throating reamer and have it redone. I still need to play around to see just how far I can set a bullet out but for now I was just happy that what I have loaded fits. The 3 1/2 taper as listed by Green Mountain is :1.12" @ breech x .95" @ muzzle. I haven't checked mine but would guess it is pretty close. The original barrel was 1.125" straight. I was thinking that I would have to add a lot of glass to the forarm to fill the gap but now that its mounted I might just let it go for the time being as the gap isn't all that big and the only place it actually touches is the bottom flat.
As to the scope parts, the ones I wanted for my scope I am not going to sweat, If I really really wanted them that bad I could probably turn something and then bend it, but just putting the collar in place will work just as well.
The Lyman parts that I made, the feed back from the first one I sent out was the the threads were a little tight, but not so much that it wouldn't work, also he liked the medium diamond knurl better than the fine straight knurl the factory used. The big upside is that now there are 3 more good scopes being put back into service.
On my scope I need to pick up a tap, and then drill and tap the erector lens holder and turn a new light baffle. Once thats done it can be put back together, the mounts put on and put it on something to see how well it works. The cross hairs are .0015 diameter wire and I have looked through the scope on the shiloutte range and the wires look nice against the 500m ram. Someday that scope may end up on top of the roller or it may stay on my .22 and a longer one made for the roller. Last steel order I placed, I did order a 2' lenght of DOM steel to start another scope. Not sure when the start date is but at least when the spirit moves me I have all the material.
Sam

[Nuclearcricket]

Kurt after making the above post I did go down and measure my barrel, because the tulip was cut off so the octagon goes right to the receiver it measures 1.1" and the muzzle is .948". Close enough in my book as to what GM lists. It is not as heavy as my other rifles are and that is quite obvious when you pick it up, however when you hold it off hand it just feel nice. Yes it has a slight muzzle heavy feel but it just feels good and feels like it balances very well. The wood on it is rather plain compared to its safe-mates but pretty don't make it shoot any better. Over the next few weeks I hope to do some more work on the wood and get a good long range sight set up on it. I still haven't made up my mind what sight will set on it. I have a Snover that I have a spare base for but need to drill another hole in it or I could use one of the Parts Unknown sights I have as I have a spare base for that sight also. I think my first choice is the Snover as it is easier to swap back and forth. Pluss the snover is better suited to wiping between shots as the site is offset and folds forward leaving the breach area wide open.
Sam

[Kurt]

Well Sam I don't have a throater for the .44's. I do have some .44 chamber reamers for the straight cases with a 4 degree but the necks are .004" tighter then your .472 case neck and that would not clean the 45 out of your chamber. The .44-100 Rem would reach in deep enough with out a problem but it's .468" in the neck.

Kurt

[Iron Coyote]

Sam
Very good lookin' rifle.
I am quite sure you will have it up and running in no time.
44/77 is very easy to get to shoot well & is a pile of fun.
I really like mine.
Thnx Lots
Bob