bigrich wrote:Stix wrote:SCJ429 wrote:GQshayne wrote:SCJ429 wrote:But this is a thread about modifying a factory rifle or building a custom one.
You can buy a new Ruger #1 or Weatherby Mark 5 with a nice bit of walnut attached.
And I am saying that in my case a custom one gives me greater satisfaction. More work yes, but that is part of it too. It is unique, and gives pride of ownership. Something a factory rifle cannot give me.
I still don't understand, do you get a custom action from the 70s and make yourself a walnut stock for it? Or you get a 70s Tikka action and modify it?
I like 70s Ruger #1s and have several, none of them have their original barrels or chamberings and I have upgraded the stocks or modified them. I like an oiled finish rather than the original varnish. This is fun and makes them unique to me. But you can also have a sense of pride from a rifle you researched and had built by a gunsmith, especially when it shoots well.
I wish I had a nice rifle handed down by my Pop, I would treasure that too. Be a nice way to remember someone who loved hunting also.
And isnt it funny how this sense of getting pleasure out of personalising a rifle is also what many of us dispise ourselves...
What i mean, is, if we see an older rifle for sale thats been altered from new--lets say hypothetically, an early Win mod 70 with nice grain timber stock...that isnt sporting the original barrel or chambering, the stock has been re-finished & slightly altered by someone long in the past, most of us would view it as having been butchered...
Whether or not it’s “butchered” depends on your point of view. If the modifications have been done well and tastefully it’s a “custom” rifle . Some folks like stuff for it’s collectibility, in factory condition. I used to rebuild and hot rod old cars , so customising to build what I want, using my hands to put my mark on something gives me a great satisfaction.
It’s not so much the destination, it’s enjoying the journey to get there
I could just go buy a sako, but that’s boring for me
JMHO
I wasnt suggesting putting our own touches to a rifle is all butchering up rifles BR...
Im of the same opinion & have no problem with what you do...
Im also not a fan of the 'varnished' type finish of many older type stocks, & just like scj, am a fan of an oiled finish...
I was just making a reference to monetary values i guess--meaning if there were 2 old win mid 70's for sale sitting next to each other, the non-altered all original will most likely not only have the higher price tag, but also sell quicker, whether that be to a collector, OR to somrone like you who wants to modify it.
And yes "butchering" is in the eye of the beholder...
---the amount of old brno's out there with sights hacked off for scope use, old sportco's with such poorly refinished stocks that would jump themselves into a fire if they looked in a mirror, & the ridiculous stock mods on some nice old rifles-like the tops of combs or Montecarlo cheek pieces hacked off, not to mention trigger hacks by "my mate the gunsmith" are more slong the lines of what i was referring to. ..all probably rifles we'd all avoid, but that were at some point done done with pride by the owner that supposedly loved their rifle.
you have a wonderful way with words at times stix. i can just imagine a "bubba" modified rifle walking past a mirror, shreiking hysterically , and throwing itself in the fireplace 
