This was a long time in the making. But I think it was worth the effort. 30 years since my first 257 AI, and hopefully, this one is a much more refined hunting rigg. First one was built on a 722 Remington action, in a old heavily weighted McMillan stock by Tom Meredith. Stainless steel bars running ful length of the forearm, and hollowed out but, filled and epoxied in with #12 lead shot. Shot great, and the best LR Varmint rig I have had to date @ 70 years young.
Last fall this plan started when I found a donor action. It was on a brand new Savage Axis, in 223, on a youth model Muddy Girl stock,,,, without a BOLT! Price was rediculas, and at the time, the only reason I bought it was it was so cheap I had to! Later I figured how to use it.
![20231012_092739[1].jpg](https://www.longrangehunting.com/attachments/20231012_092739-1-jpg.638392/ "20231012_092739[1].jpg")
I talked to Fred at SSS, and talked him into building me a laminated stock from scratch. I wanted a Walnut, laminated stock, but wanted every other layer to have the grain turned 90 degree of the layer beside it. He agreed, at the time. But he has told me he won't do another! It meant ripping layers from 2 blanks, to get enough to build one. Then ripping 1.2 the layers in 8" lengths to lay side buy side for the reverse grain. He also found every layer had to be first planed on each side, then barrel sanded on each side, to get them uniform enough to bond without voids. Plus at the time, neither one of us had a clue what it would look like when done?
But once he agreed I gave him the action to blueprint, and then build a brand new trigger for it. Fred is known for his excellent 110 style trigger, and his expertise was no disappointment on this trigger for the Axis! While he was doing all that, we ordered a new bolt that he bushed and timed to the action for this rigg. Then the wait on a 257 1-10 HV blank from Brux. 28" for what would be a 257 Roberts AI. It was cut to 26" this time, and given 6 1/4" flutes. Starting 2.5" from the muzzle, running to 4" in front of the receiver. It's a standard .291" neck chamber, and utilizes 8x57 Lapua brass necked down and neck turned to a loaded diameter of .288". A lot of time and work, along with waiting finally came to fruition Wednesday, I had the stock and finished it months ago, but That morning, on our weekly range maintenance day Fred walked in the club house with my gun case and set it on the counter. I will let you decide if I was happy.
![20250122_172231[1].jpg](https://www.longrangehunting.com/attachments/20250122_172231-1-jpg.638400/ "20250122_172231[1].jpg")
![20250122_172319[1].jpg](https://www.longrangehunting.com/attachments/20250122_172319-1-jpg.638401/ "20250122_172319[1].jpg")
At 12lbs 12oz, it is nearly 5lbs lighter than the stock alone on the last 257 AI built. I think over the years the components, the optics, and materials I chose for this rifle, I expect it to shoot every bit as good, and actually better than that last one. Plus much more user friendly doing it. Plus back then I relied on Nosler's fine 85 grain BT varmint bullet, for my loads. This time, I'll use those same bullets, but hope to improve the longer range loads with 88 grain Bibs HPBT's. One thing the 257 didn't have available 30myears ago, quality custom bullets, to load in the ten unavailable Lapua cases! The 6x47 Lapua next to the 257 AI case loaded with the Bibs HPBT.
![20241204_144654[1].jpg](https://www.longrangehunting.com/attachments/20241204_144654-1-jpg.638404/ "20241204_144654[1].jpg")
Plenty time to get it up and ready for this spring's whistle pig season, If it shoots as good as it looks it will be well worth this long awaited build!
Last fall this plan started when I found a donor action. It was on a brand new Savage Axis, in 223, on a youth model Muddy Girl stock,,,, without a BOLT! Price was rediculas, and at the time, the only reason I bought it was it was so cheap I had to! Later I figured how to use it.
I talked to Fred at SSS, and talked him into building me a laminated stock from scratch. I wanted a Walnut, laminated stock, but wanted every other layer to have the grain turned 90 degree of the layer beside it. He agreed, at the time. But he has told me he won't do another! It meant ripping layers from 2 blanks, to get enough to build one. Then ripping 1.2 the layers in 8" lengths to lay side buy side for the reverse grain. He also found every layer had to be first planed on each side, then barrel sanded on each side, to get them uniform enough to bond without voids. Plus at the time, neither one of us had a clue what it would look like when done?
But once he agreed I gave him the action to blueprint, and then build a brand new trigger for it. Fred is known for his excellent 110 style trigger, and his expertise was no disappointment on this trigger for the Axis! While he was doing all that, we ordered a new bolt that he bushed and timed to the action for this rigg. Then the wait on a 257 1-10 HV blank from Brux. 28" for what would be a 257 Roberts AI. It was cut to 26" this time, and given 6 1/4" flutes. Starting 2.5" from the muzzle, running to 4" in front of the receiver. It's a standard .291" neck chamber, and utilizes 8x57 Lapua brass necked down and neck turned to a loaded diameter of .288". A lot of time and work, along with waiting finally came to fruition Wednesday, I had the stock and finished it months ago, but That morning, on our weekly range maintenance day Fred walked in the club house with my gun case and set it on the counter. I will let you decide if I was happy.
At 12lbs 12oz, it is nearly 5lbs lighter than the stock alone on the last 257 AI built. I think over the years the components, the optics, and materials I chose for this rifle, I expect it to shoot every bit as good, and actually better than that last one. Plus much more user friendly doing it. Plus back then I relied on Nosler's fine 85 grain BT varmint bullet, for my loads. This time, I'll use those same bullets, but hope to improve the longer range loads with 88 grain Bibs HPBT's. One thing the 257 didn't have available 30myears ago, quality custom bullets, to load in the ten unavailable Lapua cases! The 6x47 Lapua next to the 257 AI case loaded with the Bibs HPBT.
Plenty time to get it up and ready for this spring's whistle pig season, If it shoots as good as it looks it will be well worth this long awaited build!
