Maybe a little update is in order. The project is still progressing. The biggest thing is I am waiting on the checkering to be completed. I do not checker so I have commissioned that to be completed. I can't give a timeline and I am not going to ask. They will complete I am sure in due time.
However while waiting I have worked on three areas. First I decided to make a new barrel wrench that included a flip out screw driver blade that can be used to remove the forend screw and the barrel retainer screw. (It then stores in the stock under the trapdoor buttplate). Here are a couple pics. It still needs polishing and press fitting the pin:
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com] [Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
I also re-thought the function of the enbloc clip retainer. Normally when the last round is loaded from the clip it falls out the bottom and basically lost. I wanted to change that so that the clip only fell part way out waiting for the user to remove it. In my first design (shown in earlier posts) I used a small spring which was not very robust. The new design is held closed and locked up by the standard clip release button piece. So now you use this button to either remove a loaded or empty clip. Actually works very nice. Here again are a couple pics:
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com] [Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
The third area has been to refine the feed of the larger 7x57R cartridges which are larger then the original 6.5x53R cartridge. To anyone who has ever done similar type work they know this is involved work spending many hours to determine just what has to be done and then doing it. I have mine working and now just need the stock back so I can test the feed in the final form and insure that it works as good as possible. (FYI a Mauser 98 of M70 are way easier. Probably why the Dutch action was replaced by improved designs over the years like the M98 and M70 and others