White feather stock

[Wirenut26]

I am having a rifle made. I found a stock at a retired gunsmith who is selling off this stock. He claimed it was Carlos's and was wondering if I should refinish or keep original. I don't doubt the validity of the smith.. local pastor..photos of the two of them... eastern North Carolina..ect. Just want to do right by him..

 

[Mister Ridge]

Not sure it really matters. It'a not off his issued rifle and it's already altered in ways that cannot be undone (the rail and buttpad).

 

[FWoo45]

If it fits you and you like it, buy the stock, not the story.

 

[buffalowinter]

I would keep it original, and get a copy of the picture. Re-finishing the stock removes the story, and it's a good story. I've seen much weaker provenance. It's an old stock for an old gun, why make it look new. It could look a lot worse. Back in the day, it was all the rage to butcher up your target stock.

Butchered Hammeli Free Rifle

 

[Wirenut26]

If it fits you and you lime it, buy the stock, not the story.

I have the stock just looking to see if I am committing an atrocity by refinishing.

 

[RIGREG]

What action is that stock for? I can’t really see the bottom inlet, but it looks like a long way between action screws. Admittedly, I’m focused on REM700 SA, so this could be anything to my eyes.

Greg

 

[Wirenut26]

What action is that stock for? I can’t really see the bottom inlet, but it looks like a long way between action screws. Admittedly, I’m focused on REM700 SA, so this could be anything to my eyes.

Greg

Winchester model 70 long action
6.5 06 is what it will be. The action is off a 270 that was in a fire.it will be a Frankingun.

 

[pmclaine]

Trade it to a collector for something you will value.

@USMCSGT0331

 

[Overwatch260]

Hard to tell from the pic but is it pillar bedded? Looks like shiny spots in the action screw holes almost like aluminum pillars in there... If so I'd put her together and shoot her as is to see how it does. I agree with @buffalowinter on the story part and getting the picture to go along with it if possible!

 

[Wirenut26]

Hard to tell from the pic but is it pillar bedded? Looks like shiny spots in the action screw holes almost like aluminum pillars in there... If so I'd put her together and shoot her as is to see how it does. I agree with @buffalowinter on the story part and getting the picture to go along with it if possible!

Pillars are installed. Going to get the new action a new glass bed. The whole nine yards.. that's the beauty of having a gunsmith wife

 

[Wirenut26]

Trade it to a collector for something you will value.

@USMCSGT0331

It's just the stock. No paperwork no pictures of him with the stock.. I do value it. It will be my first precision rifle

 

[pmclaine]

It's just the stock. No paperwork no pictures of him with the stock.. I do value it. It will be my first precision rifle

My bad.

I thought you had a picture of Carlos with the stock.

Reading comprehension on my part sucks.

Without provenance it is a nice item but one of thousands. I wouldn’t even tell the story because you become “that guy”, the guy that thinks his clone was a legit M40A1 that he bought off a dude that took it home from Vietnam in a MacMillan stock with a pencil barrel and a Winchester Model 70 style action.

 

[Random Guy]

According to Major Jim Land, Hathcock's issued M70 rifle used a *sporter* style stock (enlarged in the barrel channel) and a medium-heavy barrel. The lower rifle in this pic is reportedly what Hathcock carried. He apparently preferred the lighter weight of the Sporter stock vs the heavier Target stock, at least that is my understanding. The USMC had both styles, as noted in Senich's books/pics. Major Land was Carlos Hathcocks commanding officer during his first tour in Vietnam, and he’s still around, but haven’t seen him at a Quantico vintage rifle match since 2018, but his son still attends.