What rifle action for a build?

[wisconsinteacher]

I have never built a bolt action rifle. I have put together two AR15 and would like to try making a bolt gun. What action would you look into for a long action rifle?

 

[JD338]

Remington 700 action. Most gunsmiths like to work with the 700 action because of the design and ease to blueprint and lap the lugs.

JD338

 

[wisconsinteacher]

How hard is it to build a rifle? I know the AR platform is easy. What tools would a guy have to have to lap the lugs and blueprint a rifle?

 

[DrMike]

Each action has its charm. Really, when building a rifle in today's world, you won't go wrong with any action from any major manufacturer.

 

[HeathSexton]

I would probably run a Savage action.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

No one is telling me how hard it is to do this though. I would love to do it but hate to find out after I have the parts that I cannot get the rifle up and running. Also where do you find Savage or Rem actions without buying a rifle and taking it apart?

 

[Mighty Peace]

Built my 338-06AI on a Sako m75 "IV" action from a model 75 Greywolf.

As mentioned, any manufacturer will work...depends onwhat youwant to spend for an action or use a donor rifle for your project. :grin:

Next project rifle for me will be another Sako model 75 action again. Me....I just love my SAKOS !! :mrgreen:

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I am a little worried that my skills would not be the greatest at making a rifle function and the cost would get up there. I found where I can buy a Howa barreled action then from there add a stock and an after market trigger. Would this be a way to get into making my own rifle? I would say my budget is 800 without scope and rings.

 

[jmad_81]

I bought a dirt cheap savage action and put a barrel in it. You need a headspace gage (and know how to use it), a barrel vise, a nut wrech, some glass bedding compound, and a good aftermarket trigger. A buddy of mine just built a 26" heavy barreled custon 300 WM on a savage action, and was into it $800.

 

[nodak7mm]

Well WI Teacher,

Building bolt action rifle is a different animal than building an AR from parts. Bottom line is you need a lathe for the trueing the action, recutting threads, & chambering, the exception being the Savage Bolt Action.

However, like Jake said, you can go the Savage route which is as close to a modular build as your going to get with a bolt action. If you understand the concept of "Proper Headspacing", you can do it.

Rod

 

[1Shot]

Get a Savage it is the bolt tinker toy just like the AR is the semi-auto tinker toy. Do some reading on the net about Savage rifles and you will be set. If you can build an AR you can do most anything with a Savage with a limited number of tools. Other rifles like the Rem 700 doing a barrel change involves lathe work and special tools and even if you get a barrel that is pre-threaded and part chambered you still have to have a chamber reamer and tools and know how to finish ream the chamber. Savage is the way to go. You can head space with a full sized case and two pieces of scotch tape on the base in a pinch. :mrgreen: It takes about 10 minutes to barrel one.

 

[Woodycreek]

Go with the Savage if you want a do it yourself rifle. Or you could get a Surgeon action if you want to spend $1300 on a very nice one :grin:

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Where would you look for a Savage action and what about the Howa barreled action?

 

[BK]

If the Howa comes in a configuration you like, it's a great start to a custom build. Just realize that a Howa action is never going to build a super light rig. I've found that I can buy a complete Weatherby Vanguard (Howa builds Vanguards for Weatherby) for a little less than the Howa barreled actions I've seen. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place (I hope! I'd love to buy a half-dozen Howa BAs cheap and drop them into McMillan stocks) but I'd rather try to recoup a little coin by selling the parts I don't need.

 

[jmad_81]

As far as I know the savage and the stevens are the only ones that a guy can build on without having a lathe of some sort. Even if you get the Howa, you will still need to blueprint the action, chase the threads, install the barrle, then cut your chamber out the rest of the way with a reamer to get your headspace correct. They don't look as good as a Remington or Winchester, but they shoot good. If you are not building on a savage have a goos smith do it. I find my donor actions at pawn shops, or when I see a good deal in the local paper. A few weeks ago I picked up a Rem 700 in 7mag in very good condition for $300. I could sell it and make money or keep it for a future 7stw build I have been wanting to do. Keep your eyes peeled for good deals for your builds. If you take time and get good deals you can do it for what you are looking to spend.

 

[BK]

Sorry, didn't mean to imply that you could screw a barrel on a Howa and run. If the barreled action is of a configuration that appeals to you, you are good to go. Want something a little different, it's the same as any other non-Savage/Stevens action.

 

[PJGunner]

I have never built a bolt action rifle. I have put together two AR15 and would like to try making a bolt gun. What action would you look into for a long action rifle?

Lots of ways you can go and if money is an object, that does create limitations. The suggstions for the Savage is a good one but doggone they're awfully butt ugly to my minds eye. Life's too short to mes with an ugly rifle. :wink: They di shoot quite well though, and yes I have exactly one Savage. It's a 110S with heavy barrel for silhouette shooting. I use it for bencch rest cast bullet shooting.
If one wants to build a rifle with class, then I would look at a mauser action, but be advised, it can get expensive. I would look for a commercial Mauser as there's less work makng a nice rifle from one Using a milsurp will use up dollars big time in a hurry.. The Mark X isn't bad and the ones I've had were very accurate. Price depends on how greedy the seller is. I've seen them at gun shows for as low as $300 and as high as $800 depending on the model and chambering. If you want something lie a .270 or 30-06, hit the gun shows and look for a J.C. Higgins M50. They used to sell cheap because they're a Sears gun but take my word for this, they sold for as much and the pre-64 M70s back in th 1950's. hey came in two cartridges, the .270 Win. and 30-06 with the 06 being the most common. The actions were made by FN in belgium and the 22" chrome lined barrels by High Standard. Every one I've had had been accurate within reason. (1.5" consistantly or less.) Prices vary but probably around $400 would be about average if you're good and talking and haggling. Stocks are on the clubby side which if you're good working with wood, the there is plenty you cn remove and make a nicer looking stock. If synthetic is an option, google up Butler Creek stocks and get one for the FN action. I have an 06 in a BC stock and I love it. I did do a bit of filling up of the hollows to lessen the "booming" one gets with hollow stocks. So $400 for the M50,about $130 for the stock (BC) the mounts and bases plus scope and you just might squeak by with $800.
I've made a few serious customs with Mausers and a relativly inexpensive custom would run right around $3K and change if you had the work done and got luckly. My .280 Rem. on a milsurp 1909 Argentine was right at $3k and change and that's because the gunsmith was somewhat of a friend. probably saved me $500 from normal prices. Nice thing about the m50's is they're already drilled and tapped for a scope. The one thing I consider mandatory on them is replacing their trigger with a Timney. That's the only poor thing about those rifles. Anyway, that's how i would go about it.
Ine of my M50's cost me $400, the stock, a take off from a Husqvarna Husky $100, having the gunsmith reballer it to 7x57 Mauser anothe $400 at the time, mounts and scope were already at hand so for $900, I had a nice European style sporter that not only looks great but is very accurate. By that, i mean groups are one inch or less. The only work I had to farm out was the rebarrel.
Paul B.

 

[nodak7mm]

The suggstions for the Savage is a good one but doggone they're awfully butt ugly to my minds eye.

Ha... :mrgreen: I must agree!! But cannot argue with the fact that I wish you could do the same Remmy or Ruger as easy. Savage was way ahead of their time when they intro'd their action. When I was younger, I lusted after the Savage Varmint Rifle cant recall if it was the 110 or 112. It graced the cover of Shooting Times in 79 or 80. It was the most beautiful rifle I had ever seen, until I saw the 700 in a Varmint Special...

I dont know but to me, the safety lever looks like a stamped out sheetmetal after thought and then the barrel nut, innovative but ugly.. Just me... Yes, I know & wont argue, accurate yes, but butt ugly.. I have been told a zillion times, I am picky.... :roll: :roll:

 

[257 Ackley]

Rod -
you and me both on the looks part of a Savage . Only Savage I ever owned was a 20 gauge bolt action shotgun that I got for my 12th birthday.

When a budget comes into play, we all have to make compromises on components. I really like Sako 85 actions and will build most rifles from them if starting from scratch. Brownells usually has actions in stock. The problem is that you normally need an FFL to order an action if you want to do the build yourself. Most of the time you can find a donor rifle for less than a new action in the "white".

 

[DrMike]

Pretty is as pretty does, and the Savage rifle seems to shoot uncommonly accurately.