Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 358 Win Pre-64 Fwt

Thanks, enjoyed working on it.

You are correct about that scope, pretty it ain't, doesn't do much for the asthetics. And it's heavy.

I'll be looking for something more appropriate, but for now it'll have to do.

Those scopes generaly track pretty well and the 10X will be nice working up loads.

DF

Agreed, good scope for load work.

I've run 2-7's and 2.5-8 on my FWT's for decades, personally, like their fit and field performance never left me wanting

Until I can find something like that, may sight this one in, too. It's a bit more Kosher, looks better. Bushnell 4200 Elite 3-9x40 Duplex. All up, around 7#'s, 3 oz. This scope with rings is the same weight as a Leupold 1.5-5x20 with similar rings, around 11 oz. Gun, as posted earlier, is 6#'s, 8 oz. Right now, using scopes on hand.

Even though a good bit of metal was removed from the barrel, it doesn't feel whippy, or barrel light. It actually handles pretty well; balance is good.

DF

Now, that looks great !
Perfect combo of aesthetics, balance and performance all in one very cool package.

Nice!!

Fine looking rifle/scope combo there DF! Going to shoot it today!!??

PennDog

DF, that turned out really darned nice! I'd feel pretty darned good toting that in the woods this fall! That is going to be a sweetheart!

Looks great, can't wait to see how she shoots!

Gotta finish the bedding, load some ammo.

Unfortunately, life does sometimes get in the way, including Hurricane Laura clean up and family stuff.

BUT, it will happen and I will report.

Thanks guys for all the help and encouragement. It did turn out pretty well and will be an enjoyable rifle to hunt deer and hogs with.

DF

I bet. That’s a motivating rifle DF. Love the P64’s and that’s a pretty cool way to get one in a cool cartridge. That turned out excellent. I’ll be on the look out for a ratty bored P64 that needs some extra attention.

DF - I neglected to mention that I really like that you are using "old-school" Weaver ringsy on the rifle, they look just rig ht on it.

My only criticism - I mount the rings so that the knobs are on the right side of the rifle, I always had visions of operating the bolt in a hurry and catching a knuckle on the edge of the mount when the sharp edge is on the right side - just me though. I like the rifle better every time I look at the picture.

drover

I've gone thru that in my mind more than once. I like the looks of right sided knobs (I have Weavers with the old, large knobs), but sometimes I put them on the left side just to be out of the way. Can't really say they were ever actually in the way....

Being you mentioned it, I may just swap those around, as I haven't trued the reticle yet, or sighted it in.

DF

BTW, just looked it up, mfg date by serial number. It's '58 vintage.

DF

I liked your suggestion, turned the Weavers around and added vinatge large knobs.

A purist would know I'm cheating a bit, as these rings are the newer Sure Grip with screws on both sides, instead of original rings with screws only on one side. Well, the big attachment screws don't touch anything, so they'll work. Sure Grips come with the current smaller attachment screws.

I thought you'd like the vintage look. I do. Sure Grips are a lot easier to mount a scope, keeping the reticle straight. Those old ones would cant the reticle as they were tightened. You'd have to re-do it, overcorrect so the screws would finally pull the reticle straight. A real PITA. These are much easier to work with.

I think I'm gonna re-install the rear sight, as that big ole scope is just too ugly to use. It hurts my eyes, just looking at it....This gun is too pretty to wear that ugly a scope. This one looks more in character. Actually Japanese made 4200 series Bushnells are really good scopes. Glass is good and they seem to track well. I have several, never had trouble with any of them. So, I can't comment on Bushnell CS, never used it.

DF

I like that scope on the rifle DF! Fits real nice and it'll look slick with the rear sight stuffed back in there!

You did a bang up job on that rifle.

Like George Pappard, as the Col on the A Team, like to say, "I love it when a plan comes together"...

I have a little more to do, but it did seem to come together, even better than I had envisioned.

Thank you guys for all your help and support.

I will eventually get it to the range. I've yet to hear about a JES rebore not shooting pretty well. Will report.

DF

I didn't know you were looking for rings but look at Weaver Quad lock. I think you will need taller rings though. If you used mediums then get the high in Quadlock. They are shorter than most others. They are a tiny bit lighter if you care for the weight difference. I sure like what you did with the gun. Did you get the before and after weight? I did see the after. Thanks for keeping us along for the trip. I sure hope the bullets will penetrate the paper at 100 yeard though. Maybe you have heavy enough bullets they won't slow too much down past 50 yards. Be Well, RZ.

I have Quad Locks and they work well.

I'd lose some of the vintage effect and those rings are Chicom, these are made in the USA.

But, you're right, they're very good rings and are not expensive.

I didn't get before and after weights. Should have as that would have been interesting. I'd guess it lost 2-3 oz or so, not enough to feel any difference handling it.

DF


Edited to add, I used stuff lying around the shop, M-70 Weaver bases, several sets of Weaver rings to close from, the large attachment screws. I do have a set of low Quad Locks, but these rings look better in this setting. I used stuff I had on hand, scopes included.

DF -

That was the finishing touch, it looks really good and pretty much period correct now. An outstanding job!

I was unaware of the new style Weaver rings, they certainly cure the issue of the scope turning as the screws are tightened, although back in the day I got pretty good at guess-timating how much cant to put in before tightening the screws.

I am with you on the Bushnell 4200 scopes, they are a nice scope. I wouldn't mind finding a couple of them at a reasonable price but most folks who have them seem to realize just how good they are.

Congrats again on a great project - hope it shoots as good as it looks.

drover

I did have to grind those big attachment screws, tapered the edge on the back side to keep them from rubbing when tightened down. But what’s the price of nostalgia and getting that vintage look.

Cold blue and no one the wiser. Can’t tell.

DF