Introducing our "Old African" Model 70 Medium Rifle
R.J.Renner OLD ENGLISH 77 and Early Mauser Sporting Rifles
Recently a customer asked, almost apologetically, if I would consider working on a Post-64 Model 70, as if I would be insulted to work on his rifle because it wasn’t a Pre-64 rifle. I know that many custom rifle makers wouldn’t even consider starting with a Post-64, however, I would - and I do.
Just for the record, I really like many of the Post-64 Model 70s, especially the XTR models, because they finish into very beautiful Trophy Rifles with my treatment. Call me and we can discuss your Model 70 Trophy Rifle.
Recently we completed this Remington 700 in a Germanic round-bottom, or, Prince of Wales grip and classic Schnable forearm variant of our "Pre-War" pattern. The improvement in its handling characteristics was simply stunning. We can also re-fashion the Remington stock with our popular OLD ENGLISH styling as well.
Post-64 Model 70s
OTHER RIFLES? Some have asked if we can slenderize other bolt action rifles. The answer is Yes, we can and have crafted our "Pre-War" configurations, both Rigby-style and Germanic on CZ 550s and 527s, BRNO, Mark X Mini Mausers, Winchester Model 70s, Parker Hale, Charles Daly, and other quality bolt action rifles. However, due to the massiveness of the CZ 550 stock, we must charge more for the service.
Just to be clear, the Old African treatment is also available for Ruger M77s and other quality bolt action rifles, such as the Interarms Mark X Mausers and CZ bolt rifles.
This view clearly shows the quality of form and checkering that can be expected in our Trophy Rifles.
WE BEGIN WITH YOUR TIRED OUT MODEL 70...
The Model 70 Winchester represents the Mauser System in a sleek and slender form and is the basis for our Old African Medium Rifle. We begin with your Model 70 and slenderize the stock by reducing the forearm length, adding a genuine ebony tip and slenderizing it along with the buttstock. We install the sling swivel on the barrel and a matching swivel in the buttstock. An Oberndorf-style trigger guard is optionally available. Then we rebarrel to one of the medium-bore African cartridges such as the 9,3x62 Mauser or the.318 Westley Richards Nitro Express or other appropriate Medium Bore cartridges. We also add period-appropriate sights, either Rigby-style or Holland & Holland banded style, to complete that Pre-War English/African look.
In addition to the work mentioned above, we also install pillar bedding to the guard screws for a consistent bedding of the barrel and action into the stock. This allows the rifle to be disassembled for travel and reassembled with a return to zero. We also install blind crossbolts for reinforcement of the stock behind the recoil lug and ahead of the trigger and we then glass bed the recoil lug area. To strengthen the wrist we install a steel sleeve which passes completely through the wrist to support that vulnerable area of the stock. The idea is to create a stock that will survive international travel.
In addition to the very popular 9,3x62 Mauser we offer other medium-bores such as the .338-06 and .35 Whelen with a 12-inch twist for stabilizing heavy bullets. So set up, the .35 Whelen is the twin to the 9,3 in performance, but for the handloader, there is a much greater selection of good bullets for the .35 Whelen.
Custom English Walnut is optionally available for the Model 70 Old African Medium Rifle. We can also straighten the bolt handle as found on early Mauser Sporting Rifles as part of the restocking. Case-coloring the receiver and jeweling the bolt are other options to consider. Additionally, we can install the famous McLaughlin Rigby bolt peep sight as an option. Call for specifics on optional features.
We also offer a "light" version of the Old African which features our slenderized action and stock. We can re-barrel it for a variety of cartridges including the .25-06, 6.5X55, 6,5X57 Mauser, .270 Winchester, .275 Rigby / 7X57 Mauser, .280 Remington, .30-06 Springfield, and 8X57 or...?
Or, we can simply slenderize your existing Model 70, keeping your original barrel and performing our slenderizing magic on the stock and refinishing with our all-weather Vintage Finish. The result is a refreshed rifle that handles like a fine shotgun and is sure to become a cherished hunting companion. The cost is only $1,495 - far less expensive than a complete custom build.
Call today and let's start designing your Old African Model 70.
While I like Model 70s and '98 Mausers as the basis of my custom work, my all-time favorite bolt rifle for a custom build is the early Tang Safety Ruger M77. I try to capture the sleek and slender styling of Mauser, Adolf, and Wundhammer rifles and here honor their work with my own interpretation in the form of my classic OLD ENGLISH 77 and our Pre-War 77 Sporting Rifles. This is the same style that Col. Townsend Whelen considered to be the very best hunting rifle design.
In addition to slenderizing the stock, the comb is lowered while the forearm is sculpted into a very pleasing faux ebony tip for the OLD ENGLISH 77 or a Schnable tip for the Pre-War 77. Fine checkering completes the look and the all-weather Vintage Finish is applied. The cost for our basic stock service is only $1,495.00. Custom stocks will soon be available for both the original Tang Safety 77 and the newer Mark II and Hawkeye 77s. These stocks will combine beautiful wood with my slender features to create a very special Model 77 that I believe Bill Ruger would have appreciated.
Call today to discuss your Trophy Rifle!
Phone 775-453-9355
or email : rjrenner@protonmail.com
The CZ 550 Safari or American and its cousin, the BRNO, is a fine rifle and one for which we receive many requests for our "Pre-War" treatment. However, as fine a rifle as it is, the stock is so oversized that it takes literally a few hours of extra work just to get it to workable dimensions. This is not work that we simply pop into a machine and it's done. Each CZ stock requires hand sculpting of the cheekpiece and grip in the Old-World manner with mallet, gouges, and chisels to obtain the refined form that ultimately becomes one of our Trophy Rifles. It costs a bit more, but it's worth it.
Also available as an option is the Bavarian Cheek Piece, or Double Rabbet, seen above in the final shaping phase. This form is usually found on very high-end rifles and requires considerably more work to execute it properly. We can expertly sculpt the Bavarian-style cheekpiece from the standard beavertail or Continental cheekpiece of the CZ, Interarms Mark X, Zastava, or other bolt action rifle with a heavy cheekpiece. And, YES, that is a left-handed stock and we do work on Left-Handed Rifles, too.
We believe the Interarms Mark X Mauser is one of the finest of the post-war Mauser sporting rifles ever made. It was the genius and high expectations of Samuel Cummins, founder of Interarms, in dealing with Zastava (then of Yugoslavia), to reproduce the Mauser Model A to his high standards, that resulted in this world-class rifle known as the Mark X (Mark 10).
The Mark X combines all the best features of the commercial Mauser Model A along with some modifications to appeal to the shooters of the 1960s and decades to follow. It is the starting point for us to create a truly unique Mauser unlike any other.
Starting with your Mark X stock, we thin and lower the comb and sculpt an oval cheekpiece and receiver panels, round the grip cap, then finish with a Schnable forearm tip. The result is very similar to the distinctive Model B Mauser Sporting Rifle. This treatment provides an incredible slenderness to the rifle that makes it handle like a fine double shotgun. It must be handled to experience and appreciate what we've accomplished in re-creating this fine Mauser rifle.
Now you can enjoy the look and wonderful handling qualities of those early Model B Mauser sporting rifles without the high cost of an original Oberndorf.