It started out as a tang Ruger M77 RS in 35 Whelen that I picked up used in a West Texas pawn shop. The factory sights were missing but the gun was in great condition and only $300. What the heck does one do with a Whelen in West Texas?? Anyway, an abused Basner stock found in a junk barrel at a Houston gun shop was had for $30. I did a fair amount of "bondo" work on the stock and shortened the forend to allow a Ruger #1 barrel band to be installed. I bedded it in the reworked stock, painted it and sent the barreled action out for a matte blue. Here's some photos:
The rough stock and barreled action in the background,
The barreled action being bedded,
And nearing completion. The gent that reblued it forgot to do the bolt so he has it now to finish.
As the factory barrel only measrues .560" at the muzzle and with the Basner stock going 24 oz bedded with pad the combo came out pretty light at 6# 9 oz. I have a NECG peep and a 2-7X VX-II with lightweight S&K mounts that I will play with. The bolt should be back next week then it time to dial it in using the 225 gr TSX. I plan to use it on an elk or moose with bear/mule deer combo hunt next year.
