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Post by tinkerpearce on Apr 23, 2020 12:21:03 GMT -5
I inherited an appallingly ugly and neglected 'Sporterized' Caracano M38 in 7.35x51 Carcano, along with a lot of ammo packaged in the factory clips. I literally couldn't give it away, so it sat around until I was presented with a chunk of walnut big enough to do a new stock for it. Since I was mostly hunting in the brush I shortened it to 16-1/4" (and before you ask, unlike the 6.5mm this gun does not have progressive rifling,) then made my first custom stock, in the style of a Mannlicher carbine. I also fabbed a custom front sight and mounted it, which miraculously resulted in the gun shooting to POA at fifty yards. The barrel is floated from the action forward. It's gone out a few seasons and taken some goats (ironically very much not in the brush,) but I still haven't gotten a deer with this gun. With some time on my hands I re-worked a Picatinny rail mount- there are no scope mounts for these guns- and mounted a Bushnell red-dot. It's now bore-sighted and ready to dial in properly when I get it to the range. Originally I had made a steel butt-plate for it, but last time I was at the range I decided enough was enough. I'd found a used Pachmayr butt-pad in Pinto's clearance bin for $1, so I mated that to the stock and refinished the butt after. Much nicer now! All-in with the optic, mount and sling the gun weighs 7lbs.1oz., and at 38-3/4" overall length it makes a very handy little package. I can hardly wait to get it out to the range and get it properly sighted in.
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Post by dougphillips on Apr 23, 2020 15:17:43 GMT -5
Ugly ducklings need love too! Nice work!!
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Post by seancass on Apr 23, 2020 15:49:54 GMT -5
I love that thing! Maybe not the caliber or the optic, no opinion or knowledge of those, but I love the package! Sure hope it shoots!
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Post by win1894s on Apr 23, 2020 16:18:40 GMT -5
I'm speechless again. Love it.
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Post by tinkerpearce on Apr 23, 2020 18:29:13 GMT -5
I love that thing! Maybe not the caliber or the optic, no opinion or knowledge of those, but I love the package! Sure hope it shoots! The caliber is in the .30-30 power range. The optic? We'll see if I can get it dialed in... it's non-magnifying, but I pretty much use this as a 100-yard rifle. The rifle shoots well, so worst case I pull the optic and keep using the irons like I always have before.
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Post by rangersedge on Apr 23, 2020 20:46:02 GMT -5
You do some pretty neat stuff.
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Post by tinkerpearce on Apr 23, 2020 21:26:19 GMT -5
You do some pretty neat stuff. Thank you!
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Post by junebug on Apr 24, 2020 20:15:07 GMT -5
Nice!
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Post by x101airborne on Apr 24, 2020 22:07:46 GMT -5
I have an Aimpoint Hunter on a CETME 308. You would be surprised at the size of groups and the amount of hate you can put on a target at distance.
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