My first .17

[PapaBear]

Well, finally gave in and bought a .17 caliber rifle. Lots of my shooting buddies have them and we have enjoyed shooting groups against each other, so I figured I would buy/build one of my own. Was leaning toward the BMAG in .17WSM, but after shooting one and seeing how cheap the stock/rifle seemed, I opted for one in laminate.

This is a 93R17 BRJ, with 21" spiral fluted bull barrel and Royal Jacaranda laminate stock. She is now wearing DIP products' 0 MOA scope mount and DIP bottom metal with a Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40 in Burris Zee Signature rings with Butler Creek caps. The bipod is an ebay special, should serve the little 17 well, if not it will get a Harris. Trigger is stock for now, but I have an Apachee trigger kit on the way also.

Future plans are to paint the stock black and use silver webbing spray on it, then clearcoated with duracoat matte. Flutes in the barrel will be done in silver as well as some of the other small parts. Should be a looker when done.

Will sight it in today at the club and then hopefully still have time to shoot for some groups. Hell, this thing might be taking some money from my friend by the weekend!

 

[PapaBear]

Damn! No love for the little .17 eh?

She has evolved. Here's a couple of pics of the last few days' projects....

First, the little puny bolt knob sucks for my giant hands, so it had to go. Only issue is the little rimfire guns 9 times out of 10 don't have a removable knob....so it takes some serious work to get an aftermarket knob to work. I turned down the knob and threaded it for a real carbon fiber knob. It was installed with epoxy as well to create a nice transition from bolt to knob. Looks like it came that way.









Secondly, the Royal Jacaranda stock is awesome, but the colors suck! That had to go. I finally got to try the webbing spray, and I must say, I REALLY like it. Unfortunately the product is discontinued, so I had to drive to mount pleasant to get the last can of silver in town......black base coat, silver webbing spray, and some duracoat clear (used gloss, might have to dull it down a bit), but I love the "texture" created by the raised webbing under the clear.




And a shot of the knob on the rifle.....note the corrosion on the bolt body. This was my concern with a friend's BMag, and I hoped mine didn't do the same but it has. Guess it'll get a super duper polish and protectant.

 

[PapaBear]

Almost forgot!

I also installed the Apachee trigger kit in this rifle. WOW. Initial install, the weight wouldn't even register on my Wheeler scale, which starts at 8 OZ. I had to adjust it up to 12 OZ to make it a little more safe, and will probably have to adjust it up a little more than that.

It is one of the nicest triggers I've ever felt........

 

[Midnight Raver]

Excellent customizing work there, that rifle looks awesome now too!

 

[PapaBear]

Excellent customizing work there, that rifle looks awesome now too!

Thanks! I can't leave anything alone....stock guns are just boring to me for the most part. Same as with everything I do, it needs to be "mine," you know?

I happened to also snag some black, white, and gold webbing spray. If anyone is interested in having a stock done, shoot me a message.

AAAAAAAANNND, just noticed the black coming off around the Vortex logo on the adjustment cap....BOOOOO!