FWB 603 Stuff

[YEMX]

Not sure where else to put this...  It's just a general topic, so if this has to go in the vintage gate, so be it.

Anyhoo, a few years back I acquired a FWB 603- one of my "holy grail" guns.  I'm only just now sending the rifle off to David Slade to work his magic.  He'll also be doing some mods for me.

The stock was a little ragged, so I carefully sanded it down and painted it.  I originally painted it my signature "faux GAP camo", but after looking at it for so long, I've decided I'm going to repaint it in Aluma-hyde OD green.  The Aluma-hyde paint wears better, and I just feel like the camo pattern is "too flashy".  Which is weird to say...  I just need/want it subdued, no need for the full-on camo pattern. 

I'm going to use this for pesting the despised English Starling and HOSP.  Given the area I live in, I need it as quiet as possible.  I found and bought a LDC adapter on ebay.  It's from Germany, and it's standard 1/2-20 threads.  It's simply slid into the barrel shroud.  I'm going to use some Loctite 648 to hold it in place. 

Since I'm not going to be 10M target shooting, nor am I planning on ever getting rid of the gun, I've decided to cut down the barrel shroud to shorten the OAL of the rifle.  The shroud is significantly longer than the barrel.  I'm going to cut the shroud back so that 50mm remains in front of the true muzzle.

I bought a short loading gate kit from Nikkonos in Canada, and I'm going to have Mr. Slade install that as well. 

Once the rifle comes back, I'm going to have a scope rail made.  What's in my head is a 3 piece scope rail- front rail mount that clamps around the barrel shroud, a rear mount that attaches to the rail on the receiver, and a flat picatinny rail that will go between the mounts.  The mounts of course will only be as tall as absolutely necessary to clear the loading gate.  That should get me a lot of forward and back mounting space.  Hopefully I won't have to modify the cheek piece hardware to raise the cheek piece too much higher.

It should turn out to be a fun little shooter!!

[Oldgringo]

Pictures?

[YEMX]

Pictures?

Not yet- I'm sending the gun to Mr. Slade this week, and I've already boxed it up.  I will do before/after pics of the stock.  Though, I suspect most everyone will hate it 

[YEMX]

Here's the camo paint job:


I'm just going to re-paint the stock a solid OD green. 

I've finally got the gun in the mail, off to Mr. Slade to work his magic.  I'm going to have the shroud cut down to 2" in front of the muzzle, instead of 50mm.  2" gives even more of a buffer- supposedly the LDC adapter goes into the shroud by 48mm, so a touch over 2mm should be enough clearance between the muzzle and the end of the LDC adapter. 

[YEMX]

I've been trying to find info on the web regarding putting a scope on this 603...  But between photobucket ruining the pictures, and not many posts to go off of, I turn to y'all.  I hope some people who have put scopes on their FWB 60x will chime in...

How have y'all been mounting your scopes?  What bases, or risers have you used?  I'm not trying to raise the scope up too much- I know I have to clear the loading gate and all that.  I'm going to wait until I get the rifle back and assembled before REALLY looking for a scope mounting solution, but I just want to get a little heads up for when the time comes. 

Did FWB make a scope mount?  Is there anyone making scope mounts for these FWB 60x's in the States?  Does anyone know of a good go-to set up for these rifles?  The attached pictures makes me think it's a modified Leapers or a BKL mount or something.  What I'm really looking for is a mount that has one base clamped on the rail of the receiver, and the forward base clamp that goes around the barrel shroud with a rail that bridges the two, so that I have more freedom to place the scope where I need/want to.  I'll probably have to have something like that made.  TIA for any help!

[Yogi]

Well if you do find a solution, how are you going to load pellets.  Maybe your fingers are different than most humans?

-Y

PS maybe a cantilevered scope rail with 2 high scope rings, and turn the cantilevered scope rail around?

Maybe something like this:
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/bkl-3-8-or-11mm-tri-mount-dovetail-riser-mount-1-625-long-black?a=2880

and then mount this on top of it?
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/bkl-3-8-or-11mm-dovetail-to-weaver-cantilever-adapter-4-long-matte?a=2920

[T-Higgs]

When I owned a 603, I used a BKL cantilever mount and BKL riser.

[T-Higgs]

I refinished my buddy痴 603 and this was his setup. Notice the butt pad extension I had to make for this one. I actually made about 3 or 4 of those for guys that shoot 603 with us. The scope sets back a bit far and the extension really helps get a proper weld. I know the type of mount you are hoping to find but I never could find one and I致e heard they are not optimal because of the movement that can happen between the two mounting areas.
  There is a very talented machinists that makes custom scope rails for FT shooters and his work is phenomenal. I値l try to find his name and info for you. Not sure he makes one for the 603 but back when I had one, I did talk to him about it. He mentioned that he has several requests for 603 mounts so maybe he has developed one by now. I知 FB friends with him so I should be able to find him.

[YEMX]

Well if you do find a solution, how are you going to load pellets.  Maybe your fingers are different than most humans?

I'd load pellets the same way as everyone else whose put a scope on their 60x 

I refinished my buddy痴 603 and this was his setup. Notice the butt pad extension I had to make for this one. I actually made about 3 or 4 of those for guys that shoot 603 with us. The scope sets back a bit far and the extension really helps get a proper weld. I know the type of mount you are hoping to find but I never could find one and I致e heard they are not optimal because of the movement that can happen between the two mounting areas.
  There is a very talented machinists that makes custom scope rails for FT shooters and his work is phenomenal. I値l try to find his name and info for you. Not sure he makes one for the 603 but back when I had one, I did talk to him about it. He mentioned that he has several requests for 603 mounts so maybe he has developed one by now. I知 FB friends with him so I should be able to find him.

I was wondering about whether that 2 piece mount would be troublesome...  Troublesome to make for sure, but like you mentioned, perhaps not the best solution.  That would be nice if someone has made a turn-key solution for a scope rail that's not too tall for the 603.  I've seen a few mounts for the 700 for field target shooting, but we don't have a section of rail forward of the chamber... 

BKL mounts are looking like the solution.

A member here sent me pics of this type of mount as well:

[T-Higgs]

Tom,
Search A & N Precision Machine. His work is top notch.

https://www.localgymsandfitness.com/US/Maryville/354109984788805/A%26N-Precision-Machine

[YEMX]

Tom,
Search A & N Precision Machine. His work is top notch.

https://www.localgymsandfitness.com/US/Maryville/354109984788805/A%26N-Precision-Machine

Nice!!  Thanks for the link!  I'll get in touch

[YEMX]

LDC adapter came in today...  All I can say is "WOW".  It's definitely a well made piece!  The thread protector feels so glassy smooth taking it off and putting it back on.  VERY nice bit of kit!  It'll be a while before I get the gun back, but Maaaan, this will make a great addition to the rifle!

[YEMX]

I've decided to use standard sights, and have gone back to the standard loading gate.  Only issue is, w/the LDC I want to use, I have to raise the front sight a touch.  Not too big of a deal, since I have to have a front sight base made.  I shortened the original barrel shroud, so I no longer have dovetails to mount the front sight. 

The plan is to make a "simple" front sight adapter:

1.125" O.D.
2.5" OAL
Dovetail is 1.125" long
Has a flat section so I can properly align the front sight (so I can put a bubble level on it)
Secured via 2 grub screws on the bottom

1.125" O.D. will for sure make the front globe clear the LDC.  Only real concern now is whether or not the rear sight will have enough elevation to compensate...  It's about a quarter inch taller (maybe less) than where the front sight originally mounted...  We'll see I guess!

[Yogi]

Man you are going all out!  Glad you know what you want and are making it happen!
Not what I would do , but so what........

-Y

[YEMX]

I need something super-accurate for pest birds at close range.  Sometimes shots will be at my house (those disgusting starlings LOVE my gutters  ).  Also, as I live in... *expletive* MD, the more quiet the better.  Can't get more "mouse-fart" quiet than a 10M gun w/an LDC... 

[WildCJ5]

I need something super-accurate for pest birds at close range.  Sometimes shots will be at my house (those disgusting starlings LOVE my gutters  ).  Also, as I live in... *expletive* MD, the more quiet the better.  Can't get more "mouse-fart" quiet than a 10M gun w/an LDC...

I just put my FWB C10 back together and added a Neil Clague LDC. Like you said, can稚 get more mouse-fart.

I知 not sure if the 603 has the rail cut in the shroud like the P70FT? My P70 has the cut down gate. I was able to use the FX No Limit mounts on the barrel and clear an old Bushnell 8-32, it is super close but clears. I did have to take some material off the mounts to clear the curve of the shroud.

[YEMX]

After talking with my buddy, we're going to slightly reduce the size of the front sight adapter- So it's going to be 1" O.D. The added height was a concern for both of us, so we decided 1" would be better.  I need to clear the LDC I'm using, but I don't want the front sight too high...  I'm not sure how much elevation adjustment is available on the rear sight- it's designed for 10m shooting after all.  If this front sight ends up being too tall, I'll have to figure out something for a rear sight.  No biggie.  But lets all cross fingers and hope that this adapter is low enough!  LOL 

[T-Higgs]

Well Tom, this build is definitely delayed gratification and I知 looking forward to the end result. You had me at 603 and I知 staying till the end. I appreciate that you update occasionally. Such a fine rifle!

[YEMX]

Well Tom, this build is definitely delayed gratification and I知 looking forward to the end result. You had me at 603 and I知 staying till the end. I appreciate that you update occasionally. Such a fine rifle!

I'm quite excited as well!!  After getting it back from the tuner, I just want to shoot it!  I'll post a pic of it tomorrow, all dressed up.

[YEMX]

I just put my FWB C10 back together and added a Neil Clague LDC. Like you said, can稚 get more mouse-fart.

I知 not sure if the 603 has the rail cut in the shroud like the P70FT? My P70 has the cut down gate. I was able to use the FX No Limit mounts on the barrel and clear an old Bushnell 8-32, it is super close but clears. I did have to take some material off the mounts to clear the curve of the shroud.

The only rails on the 603 are the rear dovetail for the rear sight, and some dovetail cut into the front of the barrel shroud for the front sight.  From all the pictures I've seen a scope has to be mounted awkwardly high to clear the loading gate, even if a shortened gate is used.  Plus I'd have to figure out a way to mount the scope, as the rear dovetail really isn't set up for proper scope install.  I'd have to make (or have made) a front mount/ring of some sort...    Here's two examples of mounting a scope on FWB 60x's (not my gun):




Neither set up is very appealing to me...  Hence wanting to go with iron sights.