Hello, new member from north central WV. Let me start with a quick bio. I'm a retired forester. After graduation I work PSU as staff forester on the research forest. I then spent 34 years as forest manager on the WVU research forest. Retired in 2015. I loved the work, I just couldn't take the job anymore.  I joined the local gun club in 1988 and in 1990 I gave up lumberjack sports and have been shooting ever sense. Started shooting in metallic silhouette, pistol and rifle. Then started shooting high power, both service and match rifle, as well as long range. I have shoot the HP National Matches many times. While shooting HP I also started shooting smallbore. Now, at 72 I just shoot F-class open, FTR and FTRT. I'm a instructor in pistol and rifle and a Level II coach in precision air rifle and smallbore. OK, that's enough. I'm getting ready to build a rifle on a Wickliffe action I purchased about 25 years ago and has been sitting in the safe sense. I'm thinking 40-65 using 45-70 brass.

PS: if a moderator reads this, is there a way I/or you can correct my fat finger key stroke to correct my screen name to Bob D.

Bob

Bob, what do you plan to do with this new rifle build?

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

Thanks Joe I'll give that a try.   Bob

Hi Steve, I'm pretty sure you do. We've spent enough time on the line together at Perry and local clubs. I've been watching this site off and on for some time. If your email hasn't I'll send you photo of the project as it goes. What rifle and caliber are you shooting? I'm sure I'll be contacting you with questions.

Bob

Bob: Wellcome, thanks for owning up making the error in your profile as I did the same. Hopefully we both got it corrected. Jack

I sorta like it, but would be better with another boob. Boob D boob. 

Welcome to the forum.

Yeah, I'm thinking of keeping the user name. Not my first mistake, wont be my last. Besides if you start out setting the bar low it makes life easier.

I will most likely be using smokeless powder and cast my own bullets. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to build it myself or farm it out. I', quite familiar with the operation of lathes and mills as I build my own match rifles. Some of that decision is based on the fact that I have so many project started and this one has been around so long. Kind of just want to get it done and have fun with one.

I have the notice turned on to get replies to my post, but done seem to be getting them.   

Bob

40-65 will be good cartridge.  For versatility if you decide to do something other than 100 yard plinking, use a 14 twist barrel.   

The wickliffe is a somewhat large and clunky action, but a good one.  If you bought one of the kits and the receiver is unhardened, I'd definitely harden it as well as the hammer, trigger and similar parts.   

I'd weld on a top tang so you can put on a tang sight, before you start finishing the action and stocking it.  I'd also remove the totally unnecessary and ugly safety, and weld up the holes for it.  The hammer is adequate as a safety.   

If your action hasn't been surface ground, make up a mandrel that goes in the threaded barrel hole, and use that to index and grind both sides of the action parallel and flat and square to the barrel.  The castings are all over the place, and that will help the final looks a bit.