Questions for gun builders

[angrybroadhead]

I have seen many posts on here about building guns. Don't know why, but this has peaked my interest and I think I'm gonna do it. The only problem is where to start? I will probably start with a 22-250 for a varmit gun. The list of priorities follow...1) great shooting 2) awesome looking 3) total cost.

Can I do all of this with with no starting knowledge of building a rifle? Including glass, what budget should I expect to have? I would like to stay under $1000, but willing to spend a bit more if it will dramatically impact goal 1 or 2.

Thanks for any insight or direction for research, education and shopping. Specifics on bolt actions, barrells, stocks etc would be appreciated as well.

[SmTx]

Do you have the donor action already?

[MikeJ]

Can I do all of this with with no starting knowledge of building a rifle? Including glass, what budget should I expect to have? I would like to stay under $1000, but willing to spend a bit more if it will dramatically impact goal 1 or 2.

That will be difficult to do. A rebarrel job of an existing rifle that you already own is the least expensive way to go, but its easy to drop 1500-2000 on a ground up rifle build, not counting glass.

[angrybroadhead]

Do you have the donor action already?

Starting with nothing but green in my pocket!

Really, that much?

[Closetohome]

Starting with nothing but green in my pocket!

Really, that much?

Depends on what you want. I used to shop around for used Remington 700's at pawn shops or online. The sendero models or the ones with the HS Precision stocks make for great rebarrel candidates. Just rebarreling a standard action and cleaning up the trigger a bit will make for a tack driving rifle without a huge expense.

I would figure $350-500 for a standard rebarrel...$150-200 to true the action up...$100-150 to glass bed...and $50-200 to clean the trigger up or replace it with a Timney, Jewell, etc.

[EarleyBird]

What do you mean by, "true the action up?"

[Bily Lovec]

paging Cajun Blake and Artos

[MikeJ]

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[traffic]

Since you are starting from the beginning I would start with the following: buy a varmit rifle in the caliber that you want and shoot it to see where it is at, then depending on how it shoots look at replacing the stock, and then next would be action and barrel work. Of course buy the best glass you can afford. For the glass I would start with www.swfa.com and look at the Falcon Menace and Bushnell Elite series. You have a large advantage being in the Dallas area because you can go by they location and look before you buy.

I started with a Savage .223 youth varmit model last year for $419 and then replaced the stock with a Bell and Carlson Medalist bench model for $229. Then put a Falcon Menace and 30mm rings with an ARMS quick release for around $550. I was at $1198 plus tax for a complete rifle. That was with no action or barrel work. It shoots lights out and can hold a group between 3 and 4 tenths of an inch with Hornady 75 gr AMAXs. Savage is probably making some of the best barrels from the factory and I got one of the better ones.

Also being in the Dallas area is www.thebarrelman.com that is using Shilen replacement barrels for Savages. You can choice the twist rate for the bullet weight that you are going to shoot. Most 22-250 come with a slower twist rate around 1 in 12 or 1 in 14 that will not stablize the longer heavy bullets. I have always been a Remington guy and found that the newer Savages are easier to build and build yourself with the right tools. Just my 2 cents.

[Bonesplitter]

Under 1k wont be easy but it can be done. Maybe look for a savage with an accutrigger and then just put a good stock on it. www.swfa.com has some good deals on glass and accessories for optics. I personally favor remington 700's and you can always start and rebarrel and true action up in stages so the cost doesnt hit you all at once.

[Closetohome]

What do you mean by, "true the action up?"

Any mass produced action has imperfections. A gunsmith will clean up the bolt face and bolt lugs so they lock squarely when the bolt is cammed over. He will clean up the receiver threads where the barrel screws on and square the receiver face. All of this insures that everything is precise, the barrel screws on cleanly, marries up to the action squarely, etc.

[Cajun Blake]

angrybh

with glass included, you won't be able to build a custom rifle for $1000

read this thread thoroughly as I point out the costs with building a custom rifle : action, stock, barrel, etc....

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...light=gunsmith

i have no doubt you can find a used , like-new custom rifle for close to $1K yet w/out optics. I see 'em all the time and you just have to know where to look and be in the right place and the right time with $$$$$. The i-net is loaded with nice custom guns although often built to someone elses' specs or dream.

building from scratch will allow you to build what YOU want.

here are some pretty looking custom builds . Less optics these rifles cost anywhere from $1500 to $2400 to build


send me a PM with your ph# and I'll call you on my dime and give you the skinny on custom rifle building




* the wood grain stock is actually a composite painted by McMillan called Fibergrain. They discontinued this version b/c it took to long to paint the mold when the stock shells were poured.

[Wolf6151]

Depends on what you want. I used to shop around for used Remington 700's at pawn shops or online. The sendero models or the ones with the HS Precision stocks make for great rebarrel candidates. Just rebarreling a standard action and cleaning up the trigger a bit will make for a tack driving rifle without a huge expense.

I would figure $350-500 for a standard rebarrel...$150-200 to true the action up...$100-150 to glass bed...and $50-200 to clean the trigger up or replace it with a Timney, Jewell, etc.

This is good advice. A used Remington 700 Sendero or VS would give you a great action and stock. Having it rebarrelled would make a great gun and easily stay in your budget.

[captainsling]

Blake is a plethera of knowledge. Give him a call. He can talk all night about guns.

[Mike D]

Do you want a full blown custom or semi custom. I can tell you starting from scratch you are going to have a very hard time (virtually impossible) to build a full custom rifle and use quality components.

It is easy to sink $650 or more just into a barrel. Then the action work, trigger, stock, etc...and we haven't gotten to glass yet.

Blake can give you tons of great advice and if I can answer any questions, PM me an I'll give you my phone number as well. I can steer you in the right direction for some local folks who do top notch work on custom builds.