Thread: Walnut stock build (done the traditional way)

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

Well @Mathias you know just as well as I do what a great cartridge the 6x45 is. It’s the ‘go to’ rifle for me for damn near everything these days. I’ve taken 5 deer with it over the last couple of months (4 reds and a fallow spiker), and it just gets the job done.

I’ve got my ultimate 6x45 in the works, going to be built off a Zastava action (because I can’t afford a Vixen based on the price the last one on TM sold for!) with a nice walnut stock on it. The BSA is great, but the bolt and receiver are full-size, where the Zastava is more appropriately sized for the case.

Yep, the cost efficient 6x45 is a hard one to pass in this reloading shortage environment. Good news on the second addition to the family, the Zastava will be a great basis as we have seen before on the forum. Look forward to seeing some pic's when she's all go.
What bullet did you end up sticking with for venison harvest?

Thanks all for the kind comments. Unfortunately it’s going to be a little while till the finish and checkering is completed, as I’m having to work out of town for the next 6 months. Hopefully I’ll be able to slowly tick away at it, and post completion photos before too long.

Exceptional piece of walnut and skills - to both of you. Wow

well I guess I CAN FORGIVE YOU for mucking around with a Zastava if the new barrel will make it something you love..... my hardwood stock it came in isnt too bad once I stripped and oiled it....got all fancy and built a rough ugly superlight on,tried it....and then put origonal back on LOL...it works so wont muck around with it.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

well I guess I CAN FORGIVE YOU for mucking around with a Zastava if the new barrel will make it something you love..... my hardwood stock it came in isnt too bad once I stripped and oiled it....got all fancy and built a rough ugly superlight on,tried it....and then put origonal back on LOL...it works so wont muck around with it.

Don’t worry @Micky Duck it’ll be a very classy bit of kit when I’m finished with it, trust me

yeah I know.....IF one day I ever wear out barrel and run out of .223 projectiles,and somehow find some 6mm ones...might have to consider it myself..cant see it happening.

The first 3 deer I short was with the 85gr HPBT Sierra, including a red spiker, the biggest red hind I be ever seen and her yearling. Bullet performance was great. Next three I shot with (believe it or not) the 100gr Core Lokt. Great penetration, low bruising/meat wastage but potentially slightly slower killing than the 85s.
Next bullet I’m going to try (because they’re on the shelf) will be the 85gr SPT Sierra Varminter. Should be just a touch softer than the HPBT. My rifle seems to prefer flat base bullets, so I’ll only be using that style from here on.
I’ve got a good mate who has shot large quantities of game with a number of 6x45s, and has never used anything heavier than 75gr in his. His #1 6x45 was even built with a 1-14 twist! It’s very accurate and very fast. He’s currently knocking all his deer over with the 75gr V-Max. His comments and yours have got me wanting to try the 75gr Sierra at some point.

Have yet to try the 85gr HPBT on deer myself, have a few loaded up and they shoot same POI as the 75gr HP. I have some 105gr round nose Speer loaded up for fun too, but need to see how they print paper first. I ended up with a lot of 6mm projectiles from a deceased estate, so no running out in a hurry. I would think you are spot on with your comments with the 85gr SPT Sierra, bit of extra lead up front and a thinner jacket I'd imagine.

Both the 85gr Sierra’s have the same jacket thickness. I cut the bases off both, melted the lead out and checked. The SPT has a slightly bigger hollow point behind the lead, hence I think they will be a little softer.
For interest sakes, the jacket on both is 0.019” in the shank portion of the bullet. I suspect the 75gr HP will be the same…. Albeit with a bigger HP again

Quick update to this. Been slowly working on the finish, almost ready to start checkering hopefully next week. Pores of the wood 95% filled, just a little more finish required, then a cut back to soften the shine. The grain is looking really nice

Nothing beats the reflections, light and figure in a nice piece of walnut. She's looking really good.

I might have missed it, but are you going to bed it? Looks good. I know what’s going to turn up in the hate section…..the first scratch

Originally Posted by Sideshow

I might have missed it, but are you going to bed it? Looks good. I know what’s going to turn up in the hate section…..the first scratch

Yes it’s definitely been bedded. I inletted as close as I could around the top line for the traditional look, but added some ‘modern’ features below. It’s built to hunt, and scratches tell stories!

Sorry to highjack the thread. My build was around 2 years from start to finish.

Originally Posted by Sideshow

Sorry to highjack the thread. My build was around 2 years from start to finish.

All good @Sideshow that’s a very nice piece of walnut you have there! I bet you spend a lot of time looking at it!