Thread: Hawkins plains rifle project

Hi All, new old hunter here, but going back to my second child hood, Now to get it right I`m not an engineer or gunsmith, just a self taught metal lathe hobbyist with some hunting thrown in.
So on my lathe I have made myself a Hawkins Plains Rifle in .440 cal, rifling is 1 in 33", 6 groves, barrel is 26" long and it weighs only 7 lbs 12 oz, nice and light for hunting. I do hunt with a .308 Win and a Marlin 3030, and reload for both.
The Hawkins has just been finished, proof tested and now seeing if it will hit what I point it at,using Patched round ball and 220gr bullet. Will see if I can post some pics,Homebrew.357. PS, I see pics are down loaded using URLS ?Ithink, will try.

In the quick reply box use the tree in a box symbol. Looking forward to seeing it

How'd you make it an octagon?

Originally Posted by Toby

How'd you make it an octagon?

Octagon lathe Toby what else

Sorry Hexagon lathe!!!

Very cool

Did you machine the barrel yourself ? Rest bought as a kit ?

Hi Guys, yep this is kiwi number 8 wire stuff, I only have a lathe and drill press, plus grinder in my garage and yes I did make 95% of it my self, lock, stock, and barrel. I did buy a few bits from (Track of the wolf in the US, mainly the brass but stock end, back sight and a packet of assorted screws with the side wedge plates.
This all came about when I found on line,(WWW Bill Webb`s Rifle Barrel Making Machine) it is a stand alone machine he made to make him self a few bench rest barrels,I got his DVD and info for this but I just made up some add on bits to fit on my lathe to make the barrel on and yes I did buy a gun drill from the USA to drill the hole in the barrel, AISI 1045 steel. cheers, home brew.357.

Fricken awesome stuff mate. I hope she goes as well as planned for you. Would love to see your process for rifleing the barrel. That will one satisfying hunt when you are successful with it.

Originally Posted by Gibo

Octagon lathe Toby what else

Real or are you pulling my tit?

Originally Posted by Toby

Real or are you pulling my tit?

Tit pull. I own your tit now!

I assume its grinded like that I can't see how it can be done on a lathe

Hi, This has taken me about 3 years in the building and working out how to do it, but the good news is as I did it I kept taking pics of the build. This I have posted on a forum in the USA, really got the yanks going, so if you want to see the full build go to,(WWW The home machinist), look at Gunsmithing then making rifle barrels in the lathe, by Homebrew.357.
All will reveled, also have just joined the A K L branch of the deer stalkers and shooting it on the range to work up loads, cheers,homebrew.357. Remember, while there`s bullets in the air there is hope!!