So this is a rifle I've wanted for quite a while and until recently I hadn't had the inclination to building it myself, much less the funds to buy one! After studying and reading quite a bit and finding major components for decent prices I figured I would give it a try.
Vz24 action
Midway Green mountain 35 whelen short chambered barrel.
Parker hale hinged bottom metal. (Numrich)
Ruger barrel band and front sight. (Brownells)
Built and acquired a few new tools along the way.
Built barrel vice
bought action wrench, carding wheel (did not use).
All major parts in hand I disassembled donor action which already had rails widened and bolt handle forged. Crud cleaned out (re blue will be done). Polished bolt it was a bit dingy. Test fit barrel to receiver. Couldn't turn it into the action.
At this point I got scared. A gunsmith friend suggested I put in bbl vice and try turning with a couple of fingers only this worked. I now had a barreled action. Sight was way to small to fit but managed to use sockets after anealing the band on it to stretch to fit and a locking 3 jaw puller to press the sockets through. A bit of file work and sanded/polished to 400 grit. Leveled action and sight and marked for sight placement. Barrel band placed and fitted with hand file work. Same markings used for reference on re-assembly.Reamer rented from elk ridge reamersas well as oversized pilots. Barrel and action separated.
Both polished to 400 grit. Receiver had what looked like grinder marks presumably to remove crest. These were polished down to a smooth ring.
Barrel stamped with caliber marking. Everything sanded to 400 grit.
I won't go into details about the rust bluing as there are many threads on this here on the forum, one thing I will say is I was thoroughly impressed with steam chamber instead of boiling per rustblue website build instructions.
I really like the results I've gotten on two projects using andys slow rust blue solution.
Barrel and action back together, slight difference in level on shine but I can live with it. I'm guessing it's the different alloys that etched at different rates. 7 cycles on both.
More to follow