My pre-DGA rifle is a 22-250, all original with a laminated stock, a Canjar 2oz trigger (different than the later LP trigger), and came with a Unertl 24x 2" scope. It's either one of the last ones Shilen made in NY, or one that Dewey made after Shilen moved to Texas. Either way, it's tightly fitted and all 4 lugs bear evenly. I couldn't get it to shoot with the Unertl, so I mounted a B&L 36X scope shown in the pictures. The action is bedded into the wood - no epoxy bedding.
The fluted stainless barrel is marked John Dewey, and whether its one that Dewey rifled or a Hart, it shoots well. First time out with the B&L scope, 38.0 gr H380 and Berger 52 gr bullets, I shot a group on a 100 score target that fit inside the 10 ring without touching the ring.
The bolt lugs run vertically in the receiver, not horizontally as in a Rem, Stolle, etc. The Sherman, early Shilen, and Myers actions all share this unusual feature.
Sherman, Shilen, and Myers all shot in the northeast & knew each other, so it's not strange they used the same ideas. Jimmy Myers told me the purpose of the vertical lugs was that with the large body bolt, the lug cut in the front of the action acts as a loading ramp. It simplifies machining & does a good job of guiding the cartridge into the chamber.
The "hand off" on closing the bolt is OK, but not a smooth as a modern custom action. I tried swapping a modern Shilen 2oz trigger for the Canjar, but sear in the trigger was too tall & needed some work to fit. In the end I just put the Canjar back in.
Regards,
Ron
