How do you build a custom rifle?

[cbrown]

Just as the title says....

Where do you even begin to build a bolt action....?

Do you buy a barrel for a given caliber that you want and then a receiver?

If so where do you buy them from?

Who makes good barrels?

After my elk hunt next month I would like to start putting one together...

[Artos]

what do you want to build??

tell us what the application is....big dfference between a custom big/dangerous game african gun vs. a varmint rig.

also, what do yo want to spend??

[Jakesfish]

call, Todd @ Euless Guns and Ammo, tell him what you want and he can recommend a good set-up.....817-267-6947

[quackerback]

i would figure out what you are wanting to use it for. then i would use a remington 700 action. Shilen makes a good barrel.

[Mike D]

There are tons of ways to do it. 1st decide what caliber you want. That will determine if you need a short action or long action receiver. Then I have found it to be just as cheap to buy a donor rifle as it is to buy just the action. If you are thinking of basing it off a Remington 700 action, the cheapest rifles will be the ADL rifles. Buy you a good quality stock like a McMillan, HS Precision, Bell & Carlson, etc. Lastly find you a competent gunsmith one that build custom rifles and be can steer you in the right direction as far as barrels ate concerned. Some names to look for are Hart, Lilja, Krieger and there are plenty more out there. Your smith should true up the action and bed it for the most consistent results.

Make sure your smith understands your budget because customs can get very expensive in a hurry.

If you are in DFW Euless Guns can build you a great rifle.



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[Cajun Blake]

ditto what Mike and others said above

shoot me your ph# and i'll call you on my dime

million ways to skin a cat

numerous options from various manufacturers of : barrels, stocks, triggers, actions (custom v. factory) , gunsmiths, calibers, single shot v. repeater, blind magazine v. BDL style, etc.....

i just dropped off various components at my gunsmiths house yesterday ...

Borden action
Bartlein barrel
HS Precision stock
Jewell trigger


and this custom rifle build (260 rem) will be done in 3-4 days ..... It's all who you know


rifle will resemble this one below

[WayneLouisiana]

Just as the title says....

Where do you even begin to build a bolt action....?

Do you buy a barrel for a given caliber that you want and then a receiver?

If so where do you buy them from?

Who makes good barrels?

After my elk hunt next month I would like to start putting one together...

Step 1) Assemble a pile of money. $1500 - $3500
Step 2) Find the right gunsmith.
Step 3) Contact the gunsmith and settle on the specifications. This can range from you specifing every detail to only specifing how you plan to use the gun and letting the gunsmith propose the specifications. The quote should include the complete specifications and approximate delivery date.
Step 4) Down payment.
Step 5) Let the gunsmith buy all the parts. He knows best about how to properly specify a barrel, etc.
Step 6) Wait.

Step 3 Can be way over your head if you are not already up to speed on what you want. You should not expect him to take the time to educate you on the merits and drawbacks of every component involved with putting together a gun because it could literally take weeks of coaching. You either need to get up to speed before you approach the gunsmith or simply give him a general guideline on purpose of the gun. Let him propose a specification and have you make final adjustments.

[Mike D]

ditto what Mike and others said above

shoot me your ph# and i'll call you on my dime

million ways to skin a cat

numerous options from various manufacturers of : barrels, stocks, triggers, actions (custom v. factory) , gunsmiths, calibers, single shot v. repeater, blind magazine v. BDL style, etc.....

i just dropped off various components at my gunsmiths house yesterday ...

Borden action
Bartlein barrel
HS Precision stock
Jewell trigger


and this custom rifle build (260 rem) will be done in 3-4 days ..... It's all who you know


rifle will resemble this one below

Sweet build Blake. You're gonna love the 260 assuming you don't already have one.


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[texag93]

I had a custom built on a Rem Model 7 action. Bought the donor rifle, Hart barrel, HS Precision stock, Schillen trigger, Zeiss scope.....and waited. 7mm08 was my choice. Talk to Blake. He can steer you in the right direction.

[Cajun Blake]

Sweet build Blake. You're gonna love the 260 assuming you don't already have one.


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M

the 260 rifle is being built for my friend in Shreveport

the green rifle pictured with the Nesika action is my personal rifle chambered in 6.5 x 284

[quackerback]

blake that is one nice looking action. how much does that action run?

[J-J Matt]

Call Hill Country Rifles

[oneforthewall]

700 sps rifles make exellent donor actions. They do need to be bead blasted as the factory finish is pretty rough, but they are inexpensive and come with bottom metal. Chamber/fit and crown by the smith is critical, pick a good one. You can do this progect in stages to spread out the cost. Start with your donor rifle and have your smith put on a new match grade bbl in caliber of choice. This will run in the neighborhood of $500. (BBL-around 300, camber/fit-around 200). New trigger and quality stock that has action bedded and bbl floated will pretty much complete your rig, minus optics.

[Fightinaggies]

Call Hill Country Rifles

This is a good suggestion. Had them make me a custom 300 win mag on a rem 700 action and the gun is scary accurate. Heres a pic of a group at 100 yards

[Closetohome]

I have had various custom rifles over the years and you can go about it a hundred different ways.

Caliber will dictate the length of the action, brand of action is preference although the Rem 700 action is tough to beat and so are the aftermarket custom actions but they will jack the price up a bit. I have had 3 built on Rem 700 actions and one DG rifle on a Winchester M70. Most mass manufactured actions will need some truing & squaring and will need the barrel threads cleaned up.

Custom barrel makers all make great barrels and everyone has their preference. Most of the benchrest guys will swear by one maker or another...for hunting accuracy they are all acceptable. Talk to the gunsmith you choose as some prefer different types that they have worked with and have cut. Barrel contour is another factor...heavier barrels are generally more accurate but they can get heavy quick. I used to have a 6mmBR with a 28" LV contour barrel that weighed over 13 pounds but it drove tacks. Barrel twist is another consideration...you will need to decide on a bullet weight range you want to shoot and choose accordingly...most manufacturers list the recommended twist on their website. Some good barrel makers are Lilja, Shilen, Krieger, etc.

Aftermarket triggers can vary as well. I have used Jewell triggers and will not use anything else although Timney, Canjar, etc are all good triggers.

Stocks are mostly preference and can vary widely. HS Precision, McMillan etc all make great stocks.

Once I knew what I wanted I mail ordered a lot of the parts and took it to the gunsmith for a rebarrel etc. You can save a bit of money but sometimes it is good to support your gunsmith and let him buy the parts for you...a little pricier usually but I view a gunsmith like a archery pro shop...they are there to help and not many people get rich off building custom rifles.

Lastly, dont get in a hurry...a custom rifle can take a LONG time to build depending on the gunsmith you choose...waiting on a rifle to be completed can eat up a lot of time but it is worth the wait.