Don't judge. It's for testing the concept.

I've gone goofy before but I like this one. I can test scope placing and height, feel the balance and see how she handles. It's worth the test. The craftsmanship and simplicity. It's sort of an older FA2008 if you will (late 1970's ?), and indeed the latter shares some design cues.

I'm not really excited with the cartridge, 7mm R International on the .30-30 case. It can shoot a 120 gr. bullet and 140 gr. right at 2000 fps. Not bad but more is so close. A rechamber to 7mm GNR would put me where I want to be. I had a 10.5" .280 GNR once but it stampeded the livestock when I touched it off. They thought the flash was lightning, I figure. It was not efficient in that short tube. The 7mm GNR also will shoot the domestic 7x30 Waters perfectly. I can run up the bullet weight with whatever powder I choose to increase efficiency if I want.

It's muzzle flippy but I think the weight of a scope will tame that a bunch. 4-port Mag-na-ports would look cool on the octagon barrel. I was looking at Leupold QR scope base/rings but being a rifle mount it locks me into a fixed scope position. This proves I need a picatinny rail so I have lots of versatility for spacing rings on shorter handgun scopes. I can still do QR rings.

As soon as I can get a base this is heading to Uncle Gary for some mischief.