Gunsmithing Tips and Projects Second Edition

Reader demand for top quality gunsmithing articles in Rifle magazine over the past 20 years prompts the publishing of this book. Although covering a broad range of subjects-from metal to wood, restoration to customizing-we are aware that this volume is in no way a "complete" gunsmithing manual. And certainly it is not intended as such.
But here you will find techniques, projects and tips not found in any other reference. Hence, its purpose is to supplement the books in your gunsmithing library.
Most of the articles appear in their original form, thereby avoiding the monumental task of updating, editing and resetting each manuscript into type. Therefore, due to the two-decade time span, some products and companies may no longer exist. Addresses may have changed. We ask for your indulgence and understanding.
We have tried to include the most informative material, but in the selective process, some articles were excluded because they duplicated subject material. In a few cases the authors refer to previous articles that appeared in Rifle; these may or may not be reprinted in this book.
To the great variety of highly qualified authors, we offer a hearty "thank you" for making this book possible.

Dave Wolfe.
Founder.

Dave's comments of 20 years ago are still true today. Gunsmithing Tips and Projects has been our most requested book for reprinting. This newly revised and updated version contains the original articles plus new material from over the past 20 years. It is over 100 pages larger than the previous edition. We hope you enjoy the book.

Don Polacek.
Publisher.
Table of Contents Section 1: THE SHOP Starting Your Shop Jigs & Fixtures Roller Bearing Steady Rest The Slack Belt Sander Machinery for the Home Gunshop Screwdrivers Section 2: STOCKS Recoil Pad Installation Checkering Target Stocks Professional Approach to Stock Sanding Professional Approach to Stock Finishing Stocking the Ruger No. 1 From Blank to Stock Layout, Inletting, Fitting Converting Impressed Checkering Inletting a Muzzle Loader Professional Checkering for the Amateur Selecting Stock Finishes The Many Uses of 'Fiberglass' New Techniques for Fine Stock Finishing Inletting the 'Swamped' Octagonal Barrel Inletting the Sidelock Installing an Action Bedding Block Building a Barrel-Bedded Magnum Relief Carving the Gunstock Bedding the Browning 78 The 'Express' Oil Finish Ruger Number 1 The Rigid Ruger Basic Gunstocking & the Flintlock Rifle (Part 1 - Layout & Inletting) Basic Gunstocking & the Flintlock Rifle (Part 2 - Design and Shaping) The Properties and Curing of Gunstock Woods Much More under this heading
Section 3: TUNING Tuning Bolt Actions Tuning Ruger's Single Shot Tuning the Levers Fundamentals of Accuracy Smoothing Bolt Actions Much More under this heading
Section 4: BARRELS & CHAMBERING Barrel Fitting Barrel Rejuvenation Boring a Rifle Chamber The Damp-Box for Fine Rust-Browning or Blueing Precision Barrel Fitting More under this heading
Section 5: TRIGGERS Pro Gunsmithing Trigger Tuning Making a Steel Trigger for the Ruger Number One Springfield Firing Mechanism Section 6: PROBLEM SOLVING Detecting Correcting Effects of Excess Headspace Trouble-Shooting with a Dial Indicator Feeding Problems Section 7: ODD JOBS Building a Schuetzen Rifle Making a Billinghurst Action Modifying a Single Shot Lever Proper Scope Mounting Investment Casting Much More under this heading
Section 8: CUSTOMIZING M1 Conversions Making a Bullet Mould Simple Scope Mounts for 'Collector' Military Rifles Metal Finishes for the Custom Gunsmith More under this heading
Section 9: MUZZLELOADERS Precision Assembly of Lock Kits The Forge-Welded Rifle Barrel Section 10: RESTORATION New Life for Old Rifles Restoring Antique Firearms