GTA

Target Shooting Matches, Discussion & Events => Field Target Gates => WFTF Class Field Target => Topic started by: DRAGON64 on July 24, 2018, 11:45:51 AM

Title: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on July 24, 2018, 11:45:51 AM
I have tried many times over the years to build a WFTF Marauder rig, only to lose interest and move on... the sweltering Alabama heat has the effect on me.  Last year, I bought my 4th and final Gen 1 Marauder, a January 2010 built Marauder with "Made in the USA" proudly screen printed on the receiver.  I started out simply to add the BStaley mod, and to tune the rifle down to sub 12ft lbs... but once I started down the modification/upgrade road, there was just no turning back, I became committed.

As it sits right now, I have the following mods on my Gen 1:

1.  Mountain Air Lothar Walther barrel in .177

2.  Huma regulator set to sub 12

3. 14oz light hammer

4.  Polished everything I could for smooth operation

5.  Rapid Air Weapons aluminum trigger blade

6.  Polished all trigger components, modified the "Lawyer Spring" for lightening trigger

7.  Although not really a mod, the Marauder has a completely fresh reseal job

8.  Hill 19.875" Short barrel shroud - for a more carbine look.  Fits (2) Gen2 baffles and spring nicely; not overly loud

9.  The most current additional mod is a stock mod

I contacted a number of stock builders here stateside, and short of offering a "sporter style" stock for the Gen 1 Marauder, no one was willing to create a FT stock for one.  I contemplated a bull pup style of stock for a short period, but decided better against based of responses to a post on this forum.  I did get one offer from an up and coming stock builder to custom build a FT stock for me, but he worked more towards steering me to one of his sporter stocks instead...  Not be defeated, I reached out across "the big pond" to Gary Cane Stocks in the United Kingdom...  40 plus emails later, I placed a very expensive order for a custom stock... like I say, once started down this road, I was committed.  No details yet on the stock mod, as it will not go into production until September.  Just this past Saturday (July 21, 2018) I shipped them the best Marauder example stock I had (Best of 3) for them to use as a master...

10.  Last mod which will be in the future, like when I get this stock paid for, is a scope mod.  I will probably go with a Sightron III FT scope.  Currently I have an AEON 8-40X50 (w/ FT reticle) that I picked up from Hector Medina.

The rifle is shootable now, but I do not anticipate the rig to be truly ready till November or early December, which is when I expect the stock to be stateside.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: Motorhead on July 24, 2018, 11:48:39 AM
Sounds like a KILLER set up and should do you proud once finished.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on July 24, 2018, 03:00:06 PM
Oh I hope so, as I am looking forward to getting back to field target by the end of the year or start of next year!
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: Tonykarter on July 24, 2018, 10:20:20 PM
Yes, please keep us posted on your progress.  Can't wait to see it.  Besides the stock, have you been shooting the rest of it any?  Just tried a few rounds out of curiosity?
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on July 25, 2018, 08:36:51 AM
Yes, please keep us posted on your progress.  Can't wait to see it.  Besides the stock, have you been shooting the rest of it any?  Just tried a few rounds out of curiosity?

When I purchased this rifle, it came with 2 stocks; the original, and a modified stock.  The modified stock had some grip work done, and then was bedliner coated.  The modified stock is what I have the rifle in right now.  It is perfect for Hunter FT, which is what I can shoot in the short term.  Right now I am trying to get used to the Aeon scope that I purchased from Hector Medina.  The reticle on that scope is different from any other typical reticle.  On paper the rifle is pretty accurate, mainly with JSB 8.44's.  But I still manage to get the occasional flier.  I have quite an assortment of pellets to work through to narrow down what the rifle likes best.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on October 04, 2018, 10:57:05 AM
No word from Gary Cane yet on my stock build, I hope that means he is making it the best it can be... in the meantime I am gather material to 3D print some goodies for my scope and action;  Parallax wheel; pointer; wind indicator etc etc.

I will also add that I found a sunshade for the 10-40X50 AEON scope that I picked up from Hector Medina a couple months back.  Since the fall from grace that AEON has suffered, the sunshades have been hard to find... The scope should last until I can afford a Sightron III.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: John E. on October 10, 2018, 09:06:49 AM
I used the same scope for a season of WFTF. It never failed me. I will add that you may want to use it on 35x instead of 40. You won't suffer any inaccuracies in ranging but benefit from not being at the limit of the scopes magnification.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on October 10, 2018, 01:51:04 PM
35X, gotcha.  I have not had the scope out on the range yet, so having a reference point to start from is great!  Thank you!  What scope did you ultimately end up with?

I have a finalized design for the scope wheel, and will print it this evening.  The wheel is nothing special, other than being the first working print off of my new printer.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: dan_house on October 10, 2018, 03:52:41 PM
go to hector's blog.

he has an excellent tutorial on how to set the AEON up for much better accuracy and ranging
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on October 10, 2018, 03:58:36 PM
go to hector's blog.

he has an excellent tutorial on how to set the AEON up for much better accuracy and ranging

I read his blog once, but I need to return to it.  This weekend I will be headed to Harbor Freight to get a 100' tape (or longer) to aid in getting the new wheel set up.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: dan_house on October 10, 2018, 04:05:18 PM
IF your shooting feidl target, get the 200 foot tape. much less hassle on setting up targets and stuff

dont ask how I knwo this.... :)
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on October 10, 2018, 04:13:39 PM
200, thanks for the tip.  The weather here in the south is finally beginning to ease, so I am looking forward to getting out shooting all day on Saturday.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on November 08, 2018, 08:38:23 AM
I have been using an AEON 10-40X50 scope in the interim, while saving some money to get a better field target scope.  The AEON was purchased from Hector Medina.  Yesterday I ran across a scope for sale that I could not pass up; it is an Optisan Viper 8-32X60.  I am quite familiar with the Optisan line of scopes, and like them enough, that I trust this 8-32X60 should serve me well... now I will need to find some high rings for my rig.
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on December 10, 2018, 02:40:56 PM
I made the final payment on the custom stock for my Marauder; Jane from Gary Cane's Gunstocks says that my stock should be complete and ship by weeks end.  Jane sent me a sneak pic of the stock in the drying room prior to final assembly...

Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: Rick67 on December 10, 2018, 02:50:33 PM
I made the final payment on the custom stock for my Marauder; Jane from Gary Cane's Gunstocks says that my stock should be complete and ship by weeks end.  Jane sent me a sneak pic of the stock in the drying room prior to final assembly...

What a beautiful stock, Johnnie sir  ;D

That beauty should be over 500 British Sterling?
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on December 10, 2018, 03:01:38 PM

What a beautiful stock, Johnnie sir  ;D

That beauty should be over 500 British Sterling?

Just a little bit...  :P 
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on December 13, 2018, 02:11:18 PM
So, after 7-months of placing my order to Gary Cane, I just received a ship notification w/ tracking.  If all goes well, I will receive my new stock by late next week.  **fingers crossed**  They sent this attachment as a teaser...
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: Rick67 on December 13, 2018, 03:30:03 PM
What a stunning stock  ;D

Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on December 19, 2018, 07:17:20 AM
Gary Cane shipped the stock on Friday the 14th, and I received it Monday the 17th!!  Since I waited 7-months for the stock, I decided to wait till Christmas to open the box...

Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: DRAGON64 on December 25, 2018, 07:52:39 PM
A couple quick notes; the stock is pillar bedded, and for the most part, the stock is completely free-floated from just in front of the pressure gauge to the forend of the stock.  There was about 20-second of Dremel work, and the action dropped right in.

Woos grain for days:

(https://i.imgur.com/fuPW2yn.jpg)

The arrow indicates where the free float begins... essentially the action is ever so slightly bedded.

(https://i.imgur.com/V8n45pc.jpg)
Title: Re: Building a WFTF Marauder Rig
Post by: TleVta on December 25, 2018, 11:19:57 PM
That stock looks like a million bucks from here.