Thread: Omark improvements

Thought I'd start a thread for the Omark project currently underway...

I've been shooting my first 18 months of FTR with a Trademe $400 special, it's getting to the point where I need to make some changes to keep improving.

The initial Tasco Varmint 6-24x42 scope has been upgraded to a Clearidge Ultra XP5 4.5-22.5x50 I bought off Tahr

Bipod has been upgraded from a Harris to a Davies Triggers F-Class one.

Rifle wise I was lucky to get a season-old TF UM 308 barrel for free from a club mate. Also received an Anschutz 1407 lefty stock from another club mate.

Yet another club mate is an ex army armourer, and has helped me out with a Nielsen adapter and machining services

1st trip : old barrel off, action trued, new barrel re-threaded and chambered
2nd trip : nielsen adapter fitted, chamber headspacing sorted, alu bedding block rough machiningAlu block before it went into the stock
3rd trip : more machining on the alu block, recess cut in the stock, bedding block epoxied into the stock

The stock is from a lefty Anschutz 1407, still need to drill and epoxy a pin into the pistol grip to re-inforce it for full-bore


Alu block before it went into the stock

4th trip: machining away the back of the action area on the stock (Omark action is a very different shape than the Anschutz)



We discovered that the pistol grip already has a dowl in it, so that is one less job

Starting to clean up the alu block and fitting the action.

Had some spare time this morning to do several "woodworking" type jobs on the stock...

The spacing for the holes on the new buttplate is different, so had to remove the bottom thread sleeve, and fill it with a plug. Also need to fill in an area of the stock void to give "meat" for the new hole.


Cutting plugs to fill the old hole.


Turned a dowel to match to size of the void and planed it flat.


Block for the slot we cut out of the stock. Will be machined / carved to match the Omark action.


All glued up


Marking the butt-plate edges on the stock


Limbsaver installed on the butt-plate, rough grinding finished on the back plate, still have to to the stock side.

Nice work, it's very satisfying custom fitting something to fit yourself.

That's keeping you busy

Next trip the recoil lug is getting a slight champher on the front edge to make it easier to pull it out of the bedding.

Couple of pillars for the stock to make it metal on metal tightening.

Need to drill holes in the stock for the action bolts. One of the previous trips we drilled and tapped a rear action bolt hole into the action.

Then bedding, keen to learn all about how that is done.

Once I get the completed rifle back I am going to seal, prime and paint the stock.

Tidy work @ebf - always good to see a nice job being done

Originally Posted by ebf

Next trip the recoil lug is getting a slight champher on the front edge to make it easier to pull it out of the bedding.

Couple of pillars for the stock to make it metal on metal tightening.

Need to drill holes in the stock for the action bolts. One of the previous trips we drilled and tapped a rear action bolt hole into the action.

Then bedding, keen to learn all about how that is done.

Once I get the completed rifle back I am going to seal, prime and paint the stock.

Nice work EBF. Years ago I pimped my Omark but not to the workmanship standard yours is coming out at. Same as you I drilled and tapped a hole just fwd of the trigger and pulled down on that screw and the king screw. The action back from the rear new rear screw is totally floating. Also added a Jewel trigger. Decent stock/bedding/trigger made a major difference to its performance.
Just a matter of waiting now for September....

Originally Posted by ebf

Next trip the recoil lug is getting a slight champher on the front edge to make it easier to pull it out of the bedding.

Couple of pillars for the stock to make it metal on metal tightening.

Need to drill holes in the stock for the action bolts. One of the previous trips we drilled and tapped a rear action bolt hole into the action.

Then bedding, keen to learn all about how that is done.

Once I get the completed rifle back I am going to seal, prime and paint the stock.

When I bedded mine I put 3 layers of insulation tape on the fwd edge of the recoil lug and one layer on the sides.

Originally Posted by zimmer

Just a matter of waiting now for September....

Yup, counting the days !

Last time SSR had the rifle he lightened the trigger to 850g, wasn't aware of the Jewel trigger option, only knew about Davies.

Looking good, love a project thread...will follow your progress, keep up the good work.

Kj

Loving the progress thread. Looking good

Right, so slight break from gunsmithing for the last couple of weeks while I helped my gunsmith build a deck rail/balustrade.

Back into it this week...

First up some woodwork I did at home... We are changing the bolt handle to a straight rod, so the bolt recess in the stock is not as deep as the previous version.


Started tapering and carving the back to match the action. I carved a slight v into the join line, and mized up a bit of hide glue and sawdust to hide the join.


Back over the hill today to continue with the complex stuff... The point of no return !!! Starting to lay down resin onto the alu block....


After lunch we worked on an action wrench for my Remmy 788 switch barrel project. Will take some pics of that tomorrow.

Looking good