for-sale 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 April 27 by Handsome Rob

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[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.