Got the call!!!!!

[Nuclearcricket]

Yep probably a good idea to let it dry out for a week or 2 before you start the sanding and finishing. I did go and pull mine out of the safe and took a close look at the tangs and I did put a little glass bedding in there when I finished up the stock. When I did mind I sanded it down and then put a sealer and stain on it. The stain I had used was Zar brand Salem Maple. It didn't darken the wood very much and did highlight the grain. Minwax has a neutral sealer that might also be a good choice. Then it was just coats of TruOil. Thats about the easiest finish to use, pretty much foolproof.
Yes it does have a very fast lock time and good triggers. All in all I think you will be very happy with it.
What .22 barrel did you have them fit up to it? Will be interesting to hear how that shoots also.
Take care of yourself
Sam

[Kurt]

I don't want a gloss finish Sam. I will use some Minwax in the barrel channel and under the tangs. Where ever the wood is hidden to minimize the wood from putting pressure on the barrel when it gets used in the rain. The inlay at the tang is very slight and if it don't open anymore I will leave it as it is.
They put a Douglas premium that is 1.235" the breach and 1.030" at the muzzle 28" long. It really holds well off hand.
I have been thinking on having a .44-77 reamer made and order a 30" finished barrel and set it up for the closer range silhouette matches but I don't know if the larger diameter base the 77 has will clear the hammer spur. Maybe the bottle neck will help with this.
The .2.5" case the .44-75 Ballard has it just clears the hammer spur without having to put the hammer into full cock to load. The longer case the .45-2.6 or 7/8 might be a problem.
Kurt

[Don McDowell]

I have to put the hammer to full cock on this 45-2.4[/b]

[Nuclearcricket]

Yep TruOil will put a nice shiny finish on wood but you can knock that shine off with either steel wool or some abrasive compound. Like you I don't like a stock finish that looks like the high gloss finish like you see on the Remington 700's. Some people have told me to use an auto buffing compound to take the shine off. Another option is to rub it down with a fine scotch brite pad. But ultimately it is up to you as to what finish you choose to apply. You are the one that has to be pleased.
As for the hammer nose clearance, your on your own there. With mine I have no clearance problems at all, but then I am only shoving 38-55's in my CPA. I will admit that I had given serious thought about putting that 44 barrel on the CPA and that probably would have been a good choice in the long run, but I just felt that the roller is just the right rifle to have that barrel and caliber.
Sam