303lithgow

I'm finally doing my Charger and just bought an 11 1/2" stainless steel barrel for it. Tonight I used a steel wire wheel on my grinder to remove the paint and will polish it down to a frosted shine. It took about two hours to remove all the paint. The biggest issue was not getting it hot. The steel wire wheel was soft enough that if I brushed my finger against it it would not cut through my skin. What I was surprised at was how rough the aluminum receiver is under the paint. My guess is the most time on this project will be polishing the receiver.

I will be getting a walnut stock for it and cutting it down so it can't be shouldered. It will look like a Mare's Leg when I'm done with it. I'll post a picture when its done which I suspect will take about a month.

I saw one other Charger done similar to what I'm doing except the stock was cut to make it look like a flintlock.

Comment added:
The receiver turned out great and didn't take nearly as much time to polish as I thought it would. If anyone is thinking of turning a plain 10/22 into a stainless steel (looking) rifle I highly recommend it.




Here is a picture of the Charger with the Mare's Leg stock. Its shown along side a Henry and Rossi Mare's Leg. I have a silver Weaver scope and rings that should be here on Tuesday.

ZommyGun

Sweeeettttttttttttttttttt...

I dig those a lot...

Makes me want a charger...!

303lithgow

Thanks, the silver scope got here yesterday but I'm a day or two away from getting the silver rings. People either love or hate the Charger and love or hate Mare's Leg. Few if any love the Mare's Leg Charger.

ZommyGun

I hear you...it does kinda limit the practical use of the gun in target/hunting terms...but my kind of fun item...

I modified a factory stock for an sks...cut it in the style shown only longer...removed a section from the cut off piece...re-assembled it...with a V-section missing... it now angles down like a vintage Kentucky black powder rifle...made it possible for me to actually get the sights up high enough to use...prior to that it was hopeless...couldn't get my neck to go down that low with the chinese army lop...lol...

You do nice work...the sights and all look great on the levers...!

What Weaver scope did you get...

303lithgow

A Weaver 2.5 -7 x 28.

Weaver Classic Rimfire Rifle Scope 2.5-7x 28mm Dual-X Reticle Silver

The Charger Mare's Leg is more practicle then the Henry or Rossi. Rossi calls it a Ranch Hand and although I think Mare's Leg is a cooler name the Rossi Ranch Hand name is more fitting. Think of you out on the back 40 in the pickup checking fences with the Charger laying in the seat beside you.

jlh820

It's looking nice! I love gun projects and just finally finished up my DIY 1911. Personally, I think the Mare's Leg looks much better than the original stock. Good luck and keep us posted with your progress.

ZommyGun

Hey 303... I am probably gonna get the same size scope for mine and wondering how you plan to mount yours...

Want mine as low and solid as possible and not sure how low I can get to the .920 barrel...without touching of course...

303lithgow

I'm still waiting to receive my rings and when I do I'll take some measurements and pictures for you. I bought a Weaver TO-9S 48009 Top Mount Base Rail which will accept the top mount rings or tipoff rings. That mount also raises the rings up slightly so I can use the Weaver Low-Mount rings No 49034 which have a ring height of .089" measured from the base of the rail to the bottom of the scope tube.

I believe your barrel is the same diameter at the chamber end but remains that size to the muzzle where mine is tapered. Or you might need to go to the Weaver Med-Mount rings No. 49032 with a ring height of .168". Hopefully I'll have my rings tomorrow and can give you a definate answer.

Update: here is a picture with black medium rings. The rings I'm waiting on are silver and are the low rings. I just set the scope in the saddle for the picture and didn't attach the scope with the top rings.

303lithgow

Here is a picture of a Leupold 2-7x28 on a 10/22 with the low mount Weaver rings.

ZommyGun

I replied to message before I saw this...should have looked here first...

Those are GREAT pictures...

Going to be VERY helpful...

Is that a Weaver T-09 rail on the black gun...

I see yours is as far rearward as possible...the Leupold mount I was considering locks it in farther forward (not good for me)...about 1"...I think...not sure...that is the only thing stopping me from getting it...

Thank you...!

303lithgow

Yes its a Weaver T-09 on both rifles. I have mounted the rail backwards so it only uses three screws but it prevents the rail from sticking over the barrel. I'll take a picture of it mounted both ways this afternoon.

Edited: Here is the picture.

ZommyGun

Thanks 303... you are alright... don't care what your neighbors say...

I have the T-09 Rail on mine now...mounted same way as yours...

I use the same rail for both scope and peep sight...but not at same time...

Might have to get the same Weaver rings you show in pics above...and just leave well enough alone...your Leupold mounted with the lowest Weavers is a great pic and most likely what I will do...at least for now...

Can't thank you enough for the pics...!

computerdynamics

Dang 303,
you've got a beaut. in the works!! Zommy turned me on to it. Looks killer already, I can visualize the finished project. Sweet!!
Tony

303lithgow

Thanks, most people thought I was crazy when I told them what I wanted to do. I bet I have the only stainless steel scoped Charger Mare's Leg in the country.

The rings didn't come today so I have to wait another day before putting it all together. I sent the trigger assembly off to get some work done so it will be about two more weeks before everything is done.

303lithgow

You are welcome. No one replied to this thread for allmost two weeks so I'm glad you posted.