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Post by jajwrigh on Nov 26, 2006 13:37:19 GMT -5
Has anyone ever built their own centerfire rifle or collected the parts to have someone else do so? I am getting some ideas together for a piece of my "winter project."  |
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Post by steiny on Nov 26, 2006 17:05:56 GMT -5
You are talking my language JA.
I've got one in the works right now.
My buddy in Missouri builds rifles for a few of us. I have him building me a .270 Weatherby right now. Using a Remington 700 action, a Hart barrel, a H-S Precision synthetic stock, having everything blueprinted, bedded, floated, and all the metal black T coated for corrosion resistance. Should be a lightweight, sporter, and one mean deer / antelope, flat shooting, highly accurate rifle.
I have the same thing in a heavier version he built for me in .300 Weatherby caliber a few years ago.
I would highly recommend a personalized, one of a kind rifle.
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Post by jajwrigh on Nov 26, 2006 21:55:57 GMT -5
I figured that I would speak your language sooner or later..  I am going to start doing some research and keep you posted on what I come up with. |
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Post by Old Ironsights on Nov 26, 2006 22:59:53 GMT -5
There are several guys over on leverguns.com forum who build "puzzle" rifles (usually Win 1894 .30-30s) from scrounged/auctioned parts.
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Post by mbogo on Nov 27, 2006 9:36:48 GMT -5
I've toyed with the idea of building my own rifle for a long time but have not yet taken the plunge. Whenever I do take the plunge I will probably want it to be a mostly do it myself project. I have considered trying to build a switch barrel Savage bolt-action in .460 S&W ever since the topic of being allowed to use pistol caliber rifles came up, but I think I would rather get a lever-action. Here are some links that might be helpful to you: www.ershawbarrels.com/normal.asp#www.rifle-stocks.com/ |
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Post by drs on Nov 27, 2006 15:06:29 GMT -5
Yes, I've had several custom built rifles in years past:
1. .17 Ackley Bee on a Cadet Martini Action with a 20" heavy
barrel.
2. .17/223 on a Remington M-700 Action
3. .17 Remington built on a Sako short action and had this one
stocked with a fancy grade walnut stock by Fajen of Warsaw,
MO.
4. .257 Roberts IMP on an old Rem. M-722 Action.
5. 6.5 X 257 Roberts on a Model 98 Mauser Action.
6. .25 SOUPER on a Parker Hale Action.
7. .22 K-Hornet on a Winchester M-70 Action
8. .458 X 2" AMERICAN on a Remington M-722 Action (Which I
still own.)
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Post by jajwrigh on Nov 27, 2006 19:38:19 GMT -5
What parts are needed in the project?
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Post by steiny on Nov 27, 2006 20:42:44 GMT -5
I'm a big fan of bolt action rifles, so that would be my recomendation.
I like Remington 700 actions because they are simple, solid and have a factory supplied adjustable trigger. Like Ruger actions too, but they need a replacement trigger, such as a Timney brand.
You need a barrel. Quite a few good ones out there; Hart, Shilen, etc. Pick a brand, and then you need to determine rate of twist, barrel contour, fluting, etc.
Then you need a stock. Tons of options; wood, synthetic, shape, weight, etc.
Then don't forget, coatings, stainless or blued, engraving, scope bases rings, recoil pads, optics, sling studs, etc., etc.
The sky is the limit .... it's up to your imagination and budget.
You can easily dump $2000 or more in one of these projects.
I like working over stock guns myself and turning them into shooters by doing simple things like float & bed, replace or adjust the triggers, put good optics on them, etc. I leave the complete build jobs to my gunsmith buddy.
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Post by jajwrigh on Nov 27, 2006 21:08:28 GMT -5
So would swapping a barrel and throwing a new trigger into a Savage 110 long action be relatively straight fowards?
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Post by steiny on Nov 28, 2006 6:02:48 GMT -5
With some reading and guidance by somone experienced, I don't see why a mechanically oriented person couldn't pull that off successfully.
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Post by mbogo on Nov 28, 2006 8:59:14 GMT -5
So would swapping a barrel and throwing a new trigger into a Savage 110 long action be relatively straight fowards? Both operations should be doable, in fact I plan on replacing the trigger on my Savage muzzleloader next year. One of the handy things about the Savage rifles is that a locking nut sets the headspace so you can easily make a switch barrel rifle with an extra barrel and a set of headspace gauges for each caliber. Other actions require you to use a reamer to finish chambering and set the headspace on a short chambered barrel. Midway USA sells their own brand of barrels, for a reasonable price, in several calibers that take advantage of this feature. Their techs will probably also be willing to walk you through it. I'm not sure but other barrel manufacture may also be able to custom make barrels with the same feature. |
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Post by jajwrigh on Nov 28, 2006 12:27:41 GMT -5
Here is the plan for my first semi-custom build:
Savage Stevens 200 (Savage 110 action)
Adams & Bennett Barrel in 35 Whelen ;D
Timney Trigger 2 to 4lb
I am going to use "go" and "no-go" headspace gauges, a barrel nut wrench and an action wrench. This should be relatively straight foward and will give me the 35 Whelen in a synthetic package! I would like another in 8mm rem mag, but I will focus on the first one for now. Pics and story coming soon...
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Post by mbogo on Nov 29, 2006 11:42:53 GMT -5
Let us know how it goes.
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Post by hornharvester on Nov 29, 2006 14:12:04 GMT -5
Savage rifles are very easy for the novice to experiment with. All you need are go - no go gauges and a barrel wrench. Some guys use a sized case from their dies for gauges. Ive changed a few and its easy to do. Last one was a 10 ML II.
Triggers are very easy to change on the Savage. Ive put in a few Timneys but found some factory triggers to be crisp and clean. I usually set them 2 3/4 - 3 lbs for hunting.
Id like to build a gun this winter but don't know what caliber to do it in. h.h.
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Post by shieldingarrow on Jun 14, 2007 20:25:10 GMT -5
Having been involved in several custom rifle projects, I would just recommend thinking long and hard on your project. And remember it will be a custom rifle, not much market value unless built by someone very well known. just my thoughts.............  |
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Post by dbd870 on Jun 15, 2007 4:38:35 GMT -5
Yeah, but he's doing it on a Savage which is not expensive, doesn't require a gunsmith and can be converted to other calibers quite easily. I'm very pleased with my Savage Whelen conversion, I am pleased with the A&B barrel as well. How is it coming jajwrigh?
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Post by chicobrownbear on Jun 15, 2007 7:34:34 GMT -5
Charles Daly used to import those Mauser barreled actions from one of the Eastern Blocs (I think), but they stopped about the time I was getting ready to buy one. Sako is my second choice. Weatherby used Sako actions for a long time. Depending on your tastes you can throw together a tackdriver for right at or just under the $400 mark.
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Post by mbogo on Jun 17, 2007 7:02:29 GMT -5
Chico, I think Remington is now importing the Mausers that Charles Daly used to import and the last I heard they were considering making the barreled actions available eventually. Also Legacy Sports imports Howa barreled actions and Mauser actions.
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Post by steiny on Feb 9, 2009 18:56:04 GMT -5
I've got a new Indiana legal, bolt action deer rifle under construction.
Caliber is .375 Whisper, 2300 FPS with a 250 grain bullet. Should be a 200+ yard shooter.
Bought a Tikka T3 Hunter to use as the donor rifle. It will get re-barrelled, stock fitted and bedded, action work, trigger work and good optics.
Should have ready for next season.
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Post by Decatur on Feb 9, 2009 20:19:01 GMT -5
Sounds cool!
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I am going to start doing some research and keep you posted on what I come up with. 
