A rifle that is a little different

[Will Henry]

I often like to make and shoot things which are just a little different. Sometimes they work well, sometimes not so much. My latest, which I hope to shoot today (if it doesn't snow). Is a modified Ruger 77 based HV rifle. I soldered a solid bottom into it and drilled two screw holes into the bottom. I bedded the action on three aluminum pillars (including one for the angled front screw) in a1979 Lee Six SPG stock. I ditched the original trigger and fitted a Canjar 700LP trigger. So far, this is a fairly conventional (?) effort but here is the kicker: It has a Hart (1982 vintage) 30 cal. barrel chambered for the battle-tested 303 British (with a .3085 dia. throat). I've used this action before, but have made some changes since, and the bedding, barrel, and chambering are new. I'll start out with 150 Sierra MK's and 40-something of 3031. I'll shoot at 300m. WH

 

[mikecockcroft]

Imagine winning the Tack Driver with a 303 British

 

[hoz53]

I often like to make and shoot things which are just a little different. Sometimes they work well, sometimes not so much. My latest, which I hope to shoot today (if it doesn't snow). Is a modified Ruger 77 based HV rifle. I soldered a solid bottom into it and drilled two screw holes into the bottom. I bedded the action on three aluminum pillars (including one for the angled front screw) in a1979 Lee Six SPG stock. I ditched the original trigger and fitted a Canjar 700LP trigger. So far, this is a fairly conventional (?) effort but here is the kicker: It has a Hart (1982 vintage) 30 cal. barrel chambered for the battle-tested 303 British (with a .3085 dia. throat). I've used this action before, but have made some changes since, and the bedding, barrel, and chambering are new. I'll start out with 150 Sierra MK's and 40-something of 3031. I'll shoot at 300m. WH

id like to see some pics

 

[ISS]

How neat! I look forward to following your exploits as this project progresses...

 

[PatMiles]

British 303, my father bought me a military surplus rifle when I was 13. That damn thing beat me up and left my right shoulder black and blue every time I shot it. Sure had fun though!

 

[Will Henry]

Imagine winning the Tack Driver with a 303 British

Oh. it'll happen, in my dreams! I once built another 303 British and fired it in some "F" class matches (around 2002 or so, I think). I entered a pretty hotly contested 300 meter match with it. I did not win, but I did come in second, ahead of a whole bunch of 6BR's. That one is built on a modified P14 action. I welded in the solid bottom and fitted the action with an altered Remington trigger housing and sear. I made a new trigger and a third lever. I set the trigger at four ounces. The striker travel is .312.
I didn't get to shoot today. I had to go to town and on the way home, saw a young couple who had driven their car too close to the lake and gotten stuck in the mud. By the time I had gotten home, gathered up the tow strap and a chain, and gone down to pull their car out, it was dark. Tomorrow for sure.
As for the Tack Driver, I'm still planning on a 308 but would consider the 303 for the fun shoot. I'll figure out how to post some pics. WH

 

[357Mag]

I often like to make and shoot things which are just a little different. Sometimes they work well, sometimes not so much. My latest, which I hope to shoot today (if it doesn't snow). Is a modified Ruger 77 based HV rifle. I soldered a solid bottom into it and drilled two screw holes into the bottom. I bedded the action on three aluminum pillars (including one for the angled front screw) in a1979 Lee Six SPG stock. I ditched the original trigger and fitted a Canjar 700LP trigger. So far, this is a fairly conventional (?) effort but here is the kicker: It has a Hart (1982 vintage) 30 cal. barrel chambered for the battle-tested 303 British (with a .3085 dia. throat). I've used this action before, but have made some changes since, and the bedding, barrel, and chambering are new. I'll start out with 150 Sierra MK's and 40-something of 3031. I'll shoot at 300m. WH

Will -

Howdy ! Sounds like you are doing some heroic shooting w/ the .303.

I used my M-77 22” 250-3000 “ Red Butt “ to provide a donor action for a new varmint rifle back in the late -70s, with the work being done by Fred Sinclair.

Fred installed a .22BR barrel that I had taken off a benchrest rifle, which had a very low amount of shots though it. He installed a single shot feed ramp, and a Canjar double-set trigger. Fed put the metal in a McMillen camo pattern M-40A1 stock.

It was hyper-accurate during use on groundhogs, and also for target use.

Here’s a pic, showing Fred holding the completed rifle…


With regards,
357Mag