Interesting and fun finds, I'd go back if it's not intrusive on your buddy. Just to be ornery, there might a Krieger thinking it'll have to wait in the bullpen, seeing as how there's a heavy sporter Obermeyer all ready to be a 6.5x53r?
Only a thought, how about a 375 Whelen for the subject barrel, if there's already a 375 Express in the rifle rack? Different enough from the Mannlicher round, more than plenty thump yet semi pleasant enough to use regularly at the range? Just for fun, maybe you can ask your smith friend if the original commission ended up with a muzzle brake? Maybe, the swamp was intended to trim ounces, but seamlessly fit a standard accessory.
