I’m finally getting started on a project that has been sitting here for some time. It is a complete rifle minus the stock that has was rebarreled with a 1:14 20 inch barrel that tapers to .72 at the muzzle. It was given to me by a retired gunsmith and the barrel was put on by a guy who did great work. He doesn’t remember who made the barrel, but “it is a good barrel.”
I’ve read quite a bit regarding the propensity of these rifles in 22 Hornet and 218 Bee to “develop” headspace issues when used with “hot” loads. My inclination regarding that is that by “hot” loads, we are talking extreme loads. This makes sense, owners of 25-20 and 32-20 examples would be far less inclined to “hot rod” their loads than owners of one in a varmint caliber. I can also point to books and articles I have read that were published in the 1950’s wherein the wrecking of a rifle from time to time appeared to be expected and not out of the ordinary. I remember one article in which one of the participants needed to stop by the hospital on the way home to have a piece of brass removed from his face.
The 43 does have a rather small locking surface. But I can tell you this, it is made of darn good steel and both receiver and bolt are quite hard. Not that I intend to shoot any hot loads in this rifle, but it impresses me that it should be good for any reasonable loads. I intend to keep an eye on my fired brass by dropping it into a Wilson Gauge though.
So, from what I see the recoil in a 43 is taken up by a round stud that is dovetailed into the barrel. My intention is to bore the stock recess out with a Forstner bit and bed that stud tight to Devcon Steel and make up an aluminum pillar and estucheon for the front stock bolt and a similar pillar for the rear stock bolt and bed the action and about three inches of barrel in front of the barrel stud tight and float the rest of the barrel.
I don’t have any experience with a model 43, and if I am missing something I would appreciated any advice bigly. The trigger looks to be “what you see, is what you get,” and there is not a lot that can be done with it other than to polish up the sear, and maybe the pivot pin. Any advice here would be welcome.
I’ve got a reproduction stock, butt plate and screws coming and want to keep it looking pretty 1950’s, but unfortunately I traded off my old Jr Target Spots. I still have an old Weaver 12 Power that I intend to mount on it and will probably put the sling swivels away and put studs on it for use with Harris Bipods.