ad closed Exhibition grade custom 6.5x55

[Handsome Rob]

This one hurts to post, but if I'm honest with myself, I've sat & stared at it for 2 years now. It's just too damn pretty for me to hunt with & I know I'm going to spend more time worrying about it getting scratched than I actually would hunting. 

I built this up from parts. The action is a Sears model 52, which is the Sears specific brand Winchester Model 70. I had the entire action blueprinted & rebarreled to 6.5x55 Swede by E.R. Shaw. The barrel is 21", 5R rifled with a 1:8 twist. The profile was turned to match the factory M70 barrel which is basically a medium/light Sporter. The barreled action was then mirror polished & sent to a specialist refinisher in Wyoming for bluing. Along with that, the hinged bottom metal, bolt shroud, trigger, grip cap, scope mounts, sling swivels & all screws & fasteners were sent for color case hardening. 

While all the metal was away for finishing, I found an unfinished, Exhibition grade walnut stock & set about hand fitting & finishing. I hand sanded everything to 800 grit & applied 24 coats of Alkanet oil, wet sanding the first 12. Once the color I wanted was achieved I applied 32 very fine coats of polymerized Tung oil (over a period of about 4 months) The stock was then sent to Ahlmans for hand cut checkering in a 22tpi Winchester point pattern. Once finished, the checkering was then very lightly oiled. 

Once it was all back here & together, I added a Leupold FX-3 6x42 scope. 

I've taken it to range 1 time to zero & work out a load & that's literally it. I don't think I've fired 40 shots since I finished it. 

The whole project was a labor of love, because I wanted an Heirloom Quality gun, only to find out that I'm far better served with working guns. I don't know how many hours went into the build, but I'm pretty sure I clocked over 100 just in the stock. 

Since then, it's literally sat in the cabinet slathered in anti-rust. I've occasionally taken it out to look at & fondle. 

It's a crying shame to just have it sitting & it needs to go to someone who'll actually use & appreciate it for what it is, rather than just being a decoration. 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm pricing this at slightly less than I have in it, but not much & the price is NOT negotiable. I paid nearly half the cost just for the stock alone.

$2000 will buy it & if it doesn't sell for that, it can stay in the cabinet. I'm only selling her now to fund a used Harley purchase (unless someone wants to part trade me for a ratty big twin.....)

Link to photo album.......

https://imgur.com/gallery/LrNFN1l

Edited August 14 by Handsome Rob

[TGO AutoModerator]

 Safety Reminder for Buyers and Sellers 

This is an automatic reply meant to protect you as a buyer and a seller on TGO.

• Use the Buyer/Seller Feedback feature to research who you are dealing with.   Please come back and leave feedback for each other after the transaction is complete.  Your experience will help others.
   
• Never agree to use an electronic form of payment to buy or sell a gun!  None of the electronic payment services will protect you against fraud in a firearms transaction.  They all have terms of service FORBIDDING the use of their services to buy/sell guns.  DON'T DO IT.
   
• Be very wary of anyone who insists on brokering a deal in private or outside of TGO.  Scammers almost always prefer to operate out of the public eye.
   

The complete Trading Post Rules and also some more helpful suggestions can be found by clicking this link.  Everyone should read them at least once!

 

~~~ This was an automatic reply ~~~

[KahrMan]

That thing is gorgeous.  Like you thought if I bought it it would sit in the safe as a decoration.  GLWS

[Croakerhouck]

Gosh that thing is pretty!! I love that wood on that stock contrast with that deep blue barrel….so beautiful.

[19_A_CPT]

I'll give $500 and a goat named Eddy

[Handsome Rob]

I have enough goats. I have more than enough goats (any number higher than '0 goats' is too many goats) 

[Handsome Rob]

Bump please. 

[Nikiski Dave]

Beautiful rifle in a great caliber.

[Handsome Rob]

Bump

[Handsome Rob]

Weekend bump. 

I'll toss in 2 box of 50 Hornady 140gr OT Match ammo. 

[Handsome Rob]

Upsy please. 

[Handsome Rob]

One more time...

[Handsome Rob]

Up again

[Handsome Rob]

Bump

[Handsome Rob]

Still here....

[Handsome Rob]

I'll be traveling up to Knoxville this weekend, if it helps anyone. 

[Alleycat72]

34 minutes ago, Handsome Rob said:

I'll be traveling up to Knoxville this weekend, if it helps anyone. 

I'll be pissing off fisherman because I'm teaching my boys how to not die on a kayak. It will be on a lake that only fisherman go to. LOL

Edited May 29 by Alleycat72

[Handsome Rob]

Well you definitely need a fishing kayak then......

 

Pssst......I know a guy

Edited May 30 by Handsome Rob

[Handsome Rob]

I'm hitting the road to Knoxville in 2 hours. I'm more than happy to throw her in the truck if anyone's interested. 

[Handsome Rob]

Still here y'all. 

[gregintenn]

Damn, Rob! Let me make you a black leather scabbard for it, and you can mount it to your bike. Don't get rid of that!

[Handsome Rob]

Gregg, if you buy it, I'll pay to have it chromed.

[Handsome Rob]

If someone would buy the damn kayak, I could keep this! 

All I need is 2 grand! 

[Handsome Rob]

Bump again. 

[Handsome Rob]

Birthday bumpy.