AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: billd on August 01, 2008, 01:50:13 AM
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I'm making a squirrel rifle loosely based, very loosely, on Fred Millers Fourdney pattern with an A weight 42" barrel. I have the forearm thinned down to where it's scaring me, but looks great. My question is how much of the ramrod should be exposed, looking from the side? It's a 5/16th ramrod. Right now I have a little more than 1/2 exposed and it still looks clunky. My wood removal tool works great but my wood add-on tool doesn't so I asking for opinions before I go to far.
Thanks,
Bill
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Scared is good. Terrified is just right. Suicidal and you have gone a little too far.
2/3 is what I attempt. You are probably there or within 1/64 of an inch. Your molding will slim the forestock and the stain will make it look thinner still.
Good luck.
Larry Luck
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Drop that wood along side of the barrel flats to show a bit more than 1/2 the side flats. That'll slim it as well. Cut off too much and it just looks slimmer!
Last rifle I built had a band saw mishap in mid RR chanel. Probably don't have 1/16 to 3/32" groove depth for a 5/16 rod and it looks GOOD.
If you think you took off too much, it could probably stand a little more.............................Lynn
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Last year no make that two years ago I purposely took the upper forearm web down v thin and showed 2/3 of the rod. Entered at the maker's Fair and got docked for too 'shallow' of a groove.... Go figure I counted to 10 or maybe 110 and remembered that it is called 'judging'! ;) The rifle is a nice one not fancy for sure but 'nice' ::)
No I did not want or intend to open a can of worms abt the fair judging; but did want to answer the question.
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As I understand it, the judges there have some pretty odd ideas.
As a general rule, I go for about 2/3rds of the rod showing. I start with the groove at half depth and then cut the fore end down. I don't know what Fordney did. I'm not that familiar with his guns.
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Roger, I had half my rod covered and that was judged too much. >:( Guess there's a pretty fine line there. The rifle I'm working on now I'll shoot for 2/3 showing.
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Maybe you guys could build an oval ramrod and just rotate it to what ever the judge's preference is that day. :o