Grimstod
Machinist, Designer, and Shooter.
This is a build I have been working on and every once in a while I do some more. This has been going on now for about a year. Thought I would copy and paste most of it over here for some of you to see. Forgive me if this is a little disjointed.
Ok so this is my third project gun. It is really the first gun that I first wanted to build however since it has taken so long to get the lother walther barrel it was finished third. :
Below is the receiver that I am working with. Its very ruff and rusty. The russians must have been working in there sleep to put it together so sloppily. The boar is trash, no problem she is getting a new barrel anyway.
The bolt channel is however very nice and smooth. Almost no slop which is unusual and very desirable to me.
Originally I was going to use the scope that I got for Project #2 (details about that on socamo.com) however I do not think it is the best choice for shooting at a 1000 yards or even 100 since it can only compensate for 7moa before you turn the dial one revolution. And the dials have no revolution counters. So it would be easy to get lost. :-[
I have a set of bedding pillars and am going to order a round receiver scope mount from RSI.
Bolt, bedding pillars, and bedding are from Brownels. Plus I have already gained some experience blueing. This gun had to be entirely reblued.
Better photos. The one with the dark red stock was used for Smyert #2 and the lighter one is Smyert #3 (this project)
There is even rust on the sights both front and back.
Rust on the receiver and in it too. the machining is terrible. Will take a lot of polishing to get rid of it all.
Timney trigger I ordered from midway usa and got a good deal thanks to a tip from a friend on a sale that they were having.
For now I use a SWFA scope. Ultimately I want a Nightforce or IOR Valdada but for now I cannot afford them.
Scope rings are weaver 30mm 6hole style and I love these. They are my second pair. However this one came with a bit of a surprise. I was shorted one out of the 12 screws needed. I emailed Weaver about it and the send me one no charge.
So when I Called Lother Walther to see what was up with my barrel. It had been a 9 week wait. When I had placed the order the told me it would take about 6 weeks.
They guy on the phone asked me to describe it. So I started with the caliber and he stopped me short and asked me if it was "that big heavy Mosin Nagant Barrel they have laying in the corner?"
They had forgotten to ship it. Come on, really.
They shipped it the next day.
More parts!!
My rock solid scope mount. Looks like Ken has a new vendor doing these or he has changed up the process a little. They are way better. Made from better aluminum and the finish is much more durable. Just feels better in your hands too. Another big plus is the machining is like perfect. No tool marks of any kind whatsoever. Whatever Kens doing over there its a big improvement. Probably the best thing too is that the finish has a nice matt look to it so it really blends in with the typical Blueing.
Here you can see all the parts I had so far. The receiver is a round 1942 make and is high walled. So there is more steel.
You can see my first build in the top of this photo. Smyert Mk2 and in Russian smyert means death!
Here is that barrel from Lother Walther. Its simply fabulous. And feels lighter then I expected. Just 7lbs. Does this sound light for a 1.2 in diameter barrel at 26 in long?
The setup that Jerry both recommends and uses is very nice. The aluminum bushings do a nice job of protecting the action and the barrel. The thing is already ugly I know but no sense in making it worse.
I was really serprised at how easy the barrel came of this one. Usually its like 400-600lbs but this one was in the 150-250lbs range.
My receiver was really ruff. Nothing had been polished on this thing at all except for perhaps the bolt face that was actually nice as far as Mosins go.
Jerry noticed that the chamber had been cut too deep so he is working here on shallowing it and correcting the depth of the threads too.
Jerry said he had to do some scary stuff so I was polishing the receiver. Turned out pretty good. Cant wait to see how it Blues.
Putting it back together. And checked headspace.
Cutting the Extractor groove.
Turning down the bolt face to headspace.
I broke two tap dies on the second hole. Had to stop for the day cause we did not have any more dies.
Here is a photo for your viewing pleasure. This of course is not the stock I intend to finish with. I ordered a stock from Bluegrass almost 4 months ago so maybe it will be done soon. Bluegrass are you there?
The Bolt handle looks a bit long. Well maybe I mean really long!!!! But I wont make a decision on shortening that till I see it in the stock.
Finnish magazine came. Fits fine though it is slightly narrower than the original.
This is the blueing process.
I didn't get very far. This is really a lot of work. So much barrel. Lol
Dont ever do this. Leave the metal applicator in the can over night. It ruined my blueing chemicals. Diluted them so they hardly work. So I hopped on Amizon and ordered another bottle. Two days later I was back to Blueing. Starting to look good but there are only two coats on the majority of the barrel. I think about eight will get it as dark and consistent as I want it to be.
This is the shim for adjusting rock solid scope mount to a negative -20 moa
Here are more photos of the blueing process. This makes 6 applications for the barrel. Did the receiver tonight too. But only applied it twice and it came out very dark. I have to hand I to Lother Walther the steel they use must be the best for resisting corrosion.
Did one more application of bluing when I took this photo.
If I had a stock I could go out and shoot her. But I don't. Bluegrass are you reading this? I was on to 6 months of waiting at this point.
I bed the scope mount with some steel bedding.
Doesn't look like much changed. Biggest thing was wiping away what squeezed out. Getting every trace of the exes off was the part that required carful work and close examination.
Before I bed it the mount was only touching the receiver in three places and just by a hairs worth of metal. This greatly increased contact.
Took it out for some photos with ought varnish.
Plenty of adjustability in this.
Also decided to get a trigger shoe. Just for kicks mostly.
Was reading today that F class rules allow for gun as heavy as 22lbs and in the lightweight class they must weigh under 17.
Looks like I qualify for light weight unless they change the rules since I read this.
Tonight I also removed the scope mount and ground off some of the corner. It was interfering with the bolt handle. Looks like the bedding compound turned out nice. The shinny corner is what I had to grind. I used sever layers of black magic marker to make this disappear completely.
For a adjustable but plate I am eyeballing this. It has every adjustment I could dream of. Leghth of pull is not a concern however the posts are removable so should I ever need the option it will be there.
I still have more bedding to do in this stock. As I am shooting it now I am sure it is shifting around. I also noticed that the spring in my finish magazine is not tight enough. I had some problems with it not pushing the last round, out of five, up far enough for the bolt to push forward.
Also the bolt handle cycles so smooth and has more than enough leverage to crank it. Its like cycling my 22! Clearly I will be shortening it since I don't need the leverage and shortening it.
Oh and one more thing. She sounds awesome. Has a really deeeeeep sound to her. Even my brother who is a bit of a Rem700 fan was impressed.
The existing holes in the but pad line up so no worries there.
So many tools necessary now to take this thing apart. This but plate is adding two more ranches. There goes the simplicity of the Mosin
Well look what wandered in today. Poor lost triger shoe. Don't worry Mr shoe I have a nice nice Russian beauty I can hook you up with. Meet Smyert MkIII
Well I now need eight Allen renchs to assemble or disassemble her.
It pulls like a dream now. Super smooth and feels like less than 1lbs even though its like 3.5 and if I want to I can always make that lighter.
Some progress on my SPS system. It's taking a long time. Spent 30min at the belt sander and I still have a way to go.
Had to enlarge the holes for the screws and added a third one for more security. I must be getting paranoid. :shh:
I have been dunking it into water to cool it down but it really holds the heat for a long time. Even in cold water.
I do have access to a band saw. Several actually. I did not know you could use wood working tools on aluminum. Hay give me a brake I am really new to this sorta thing. ;D So when I tried it I was really surprised at how easily it cut. I have had oak give me more trouble. 
:
Ok so this is my third project gun. It is really the first gun that I first wanted to build however since it has taken so long to get the lother walther barrel it was finished third. :
Below is the receiver that I am working with. Its very ruff and rusty. The russians must have been working in there sleep to put it together so sloppily. The boar is trash, no problem she is getting a new barrel anyway.
The bolt channel is however very nice and smooth. Almost no slop which is unusual and very desirable to me.
Originally I was going to use the scope that I got for Project #2 (details about that on socamo.com) however I do not think it is the best choice for shooting at a 1000 yards or even 100 since it can only compensate for 7moa before you turn the dial one revolution. And the dials have no revolution counters. So it would be easy to get lost. :-[
I have a set of bedding pillars and am going to order a round receiver scope mount from RSI.
Bolt, bedding pillars, and bedding are from Brownels. Plus I have already gained some experience blueing. This gun had to be entirely reblued.
Better photos. The one with the dark red stock was used for Smyert #2 and the lighter one is Smyert #3 (this project)
There is even rust on the sights both front and back.
Rust on the receiver and in it too. the machining is terrible. Will take a lot of polishing to get rid of it all.
Timney trigger I ordered from midway usa and got a good deal thanks to a tip from a friend on a sale that they were having.
For now I use a SWFA scope. Ultimately I want a Nightforce or IOR Valdada but for now I cannot afford them.
Scope rings are weaver 30mm 6hole style and I love these. They are my second pair. However this one came with a bit of a surprise. I was shorted one out of the 12 screws needed. I emailed Weaver about it and the send me one no charge.
So when I Called Lother Walther to see what was up with my barrel. It had been a 9 week wait. When I had placed the order the told me it would take about 6 weeks.
They guy on the phone asked me to describe it. So I started with the caliber and he stopped me short and asked me if it was "that big heavy Mosin Nagant Barrel they have laying in the corner?"
They had forgotten to ship it. Come on, really. They shipped it the next day.
More parts!!
My rock solid scope mount. Looks like Ken has a new vendor doing these or he has changed up the process a little. They are way better. Made from better aluminum and the finish is much more durable. Just feels better in your hands too. Another big plus is the machining is like perfect. No tool marks of any kind whatsoever. Whatever Kens doing over there its a big improvement. Probably the best thing too is that the finish has a nice matt look to it so it really blends in with the typical Blueing.
Here you can see all the parts I had so far. The receiver is a round 1942 make and is high walled. So there is more steel.
You can see my first build in the top of this photo. Smyert Mk2 and in Russian smyert means death!
Here is that barrel from Lother Walther. Its simply fabulous. And feels lighter then I expected. Just 7lbs. Does this sound light for a 1.2 in diameter barrel at 26 in long?
The setup that Jerry both recommends and uses is very nice. The aluminum bushings do a nice job of protecting the action and the barrel. The thing is already ugly I know but no sense in making it worse.
I was really serprised at how easy the barrel came of this one. Usually its like 400-600lbs but this one was in the 150-250lbs range.
My receiver was really ruff. Nothing had been polished on this thing at all except for perhaps the bolt face that was actually nice as far as Mosins go.
Jerry noticed that the chamber had been cut too deep so he is working here on shallowing it and correcting the depth of the threads too.
Jerry said he had to do some scary stuff so I was polishing the receiver. Turned out pretty good. Cant wait to see how it Blues.
Putting it back together. And checked headspace.
Cutting the Extractor groove.
Turning down the bolt face to headspace.
I broke two tap dies on the second hole. Had to stop for the day cause we did not have any more dies.
Here is a photo for your viewing pleasure. This of course is not the stock I intend to finish with. I ordered a stock from Bluegrass almost 4 months ago so maybe it will be done soon. Bluegrass are you there?
The Bolt handle looks a bit long. Well maybe I mean really long!!!! But I wont make a decision on shortening that till I see it in the stock.
Finnish magazine came. Fits fine though it is slightly narrower than the original.
This is the blueing process.
I didn't get very far. This is really a lot of work. So much barrel. Lol
Dont ever do this. Leave the metal applicator in the can over night. It ruined my blueing chemicals. Diluted them so they hardly work. So I hopped on Amizon and ordered another bottle. Two days later I was back to Blueing. Starting to look good but there are only two coats on the majority of the barrel. I think about eight will get it as dark and consistent as I want it to be.
This is the shim for adjusting rock solid scope mount to a negative -20 moa
Here are more photos of the blueing process. This makes 6 applications for the barrel. Did the receiver tonight too. But only applied it twice and it came out very dark. I have to hand I to Lother Walther the steel they use must be the best for resisting corrosion.
Did one more application of bluing when I took this photo.
If I had a stock I could go out and shoot her. But I don't. Bluegrass are you reading this? I was on to 6 months of waiting at this point.
I bed the scope mount with some steel bedding.
Doesn't look like much changed. Biggest thing was wiping away what squeezed out. Getting every trace of the exes off was the part that required carful work and close examination.
Before I bed it the mount was only touching the receiver in three places and just by a hairs worth of metal. This greatly increased contact.
Took it out for some photos with ought varnish.
Plenty of adjustability in this.
Also decided to get a trigger shoe. Just for kicks mostly.
Was reading today that F class rules allow for gun as heavy as 22lbs and in the lightweight class they must weigh under 17.
Looks like I qualify for light weight unless they change the rules since I read this.
Tonight I also removed the scope mount and ground off some of the corner. It was interfering with the bolt handle. Looks like the bedding compound turned out nice. The shinny corner is what I had to grind. I used sever layers of black magic marker to make this disappear completely.
For a adjustable but plate I am eyeballing this. It has every adjustment I could dream of. Leghth of pull is not a concern however the posts are removable so should I ever need the option it will be there.
I still have more bedding to do in this stock. As I am shooting it now I am sure it is shifting around. I also noticed that the spring in my finish magazine is not tight enough. I had some problems with it not pushing the last round, out of five, up far enough for the bolt to push forward.
Also the bolt handle cycles so smooth and has more than enough leverage to crank it. Its like cycling my 22! Clearly I will be shortening it since I don't need the leverage and shortening it.
Oh and one more thing. She sounds awesome. Has a really deeeeeep sound to her. Even my brother who is a bit of a Rem700 fan was impressed.
The existing holes in the but pad line up so no worries there.
So many tools necessary now to take this thing apart. This but plate is adding two more ranches. There goes the simplicity of the Mosin
Well look what wandered in today. Poor lost triger shoe. Don't worry Mr shoe I have a nice nice Russian beauty I can hook you up with. Meet Smyert MkIII
Well I now need eight Allen renchs to assemble or disassemble her.
It pulls like a dream now. Super smooth and feels like less than 1lbs even though its like 3.5 and if I want to I can always make that lighter.
Some progress on my SPS system. It's taking a long time. Spent 30min at the belt sander and I still have a way to go.
Had to enlarge the holes for the screws and added a third one for more security. I must be getting paranoid. :shh:
I have been dunking it into water to cool it down but it really holds the heat for a long time. Even in cold water.
I do have access to a band saw. Several actually.
I did not know you could use wood working tools on aluminum. Hay give me a brake I am really new to this sorta thing. ;D So when I tried it I was really surprised at how easily it cut. I have had oak give me more trouble. :
