Gonna be a fun project, but a lot more work than I expected. Lots of fitting needed.....and I'm not talking simple filing!

I bought the semi finished kit. Can't imagine how involved the basic castings would be.

All the parts look extremely well made. Should make a nice rifle when finished.

RoyB,
Document your work and set up's with a digital camera and show us what progress you are making with regular reports. Open a Photobucket account, (despite the last word it is free ). It may encourage others to do the same. Above all, have fun doing the work.

Harry

I'm posting a new thread with pictures.

Where were you off .0008 and what were the ramifications?
Are you now building a second one?

Roy,
I built a dummy block strictly to fit the mortise to size.  You are trying to fit the mortise width wise as well as front to back.  All three dimensions must come together for the block to fit plus the firing pin hole must center up when you finish.  I tried to take as little as possible off the mortise surfaces and then fit the block to the mortise.  Width wise everything was good.  Front to back, I was .008 thou off with the block angling toward the front of the action at the bottom of its travel.  When I fit the barrel to the action the block would bind up as it dropped.  I decided that to get the block square with the front of the action and perpendicular with the barrel I would have the mortise squared up by EDM and the block welded up and surface ground to fit the mortise.  I'm not saying it can't be done with files but I was not able to come to a satisfactory outcome by doing so.  Also, for me, it was most important that the block move vertically and perpendicularly with reference to the barrel.  To obtain this fit, I chose to go the EDM route.   

A word about filing.  Some places in the action are close clearance.  While your attention is on the spot you're removing metal, you may find the file is removing metal at an unwanted location.  Also, don't be too eager with machine tools, milling machine, etc.  Nothing about the action can be counted on to be a standard.  The castings have shrinkage and while there is sufficient metal to make the part, it is easy to take too much off.  I bought 3 sets of screws, two extractors, 3 lever springs and 2 trigger springs before getting my action in working order.  The lever spring is especially aggravating.  I finally purchased one from DZ Arms.

I wish you all the best and much fun in this project.
OPS