Project rifle

[Devy55]

I've never built a custom rifle before, and was thinking about trying my hand at it. 

So I could use some advice.

I don't have a milling machine, or exotic equipment, so I want to avoid completely re-manufacturing the whole thing.

Instead, what I was considering is buying a decent, inexpensive, basic rifle as the foundation, then adding a new wood stock, checkering, pillar and glass bedding, and floating the barrel, plus tweaking the action by adding an adjustable trigger, re-crown the muzzle, lap the lugs, and polish the bore & chamber.

Right now, I'm not sure which rifle actions would be the best to start with.

I'm considering the Howa-1500 because I really like the workmanship and the price is decent.  But I'm open to suggestions.  I've heard Savage is an accurate rifle, but the workmanship seems clunky and rough.  Remington is good, as is Weatherby, but then I am starting to increase the price. 

If I start getting more expensive, then I'm less inclined to mess with a higher dollar gun, which probably doesn't need any improvements anyway.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[RugerNo3]

Some flaws in your thinking. Lapping lugs is best done with the barrel off the action. Properly done may involve resetting the barrel for proper head space as it is increased in the lapping process. The Savage rifle is the biggest bang for the buck when it comes to easily removing and replacing barrels. Head space is properly set with the barrel nut. Replacement barrels are available from Midway-USA as well as action wrench and vise. Can't get much simpler then that. The best one to start with is the Stevens 200 in this regard. You can't remove the barrel on the other brands readily and the Stevens would be a good base to replace parts and stock on. Furthermore the bolt head is replaceable on the Savage action giving you the option to go to the 223 size cartridges. They may not feed from the action, but make a magazine block to work it single shot. The sky is the limit and it is MADE IN THE USA.

[Devy55]

Thanks for correcting me on lapping the lugs.  I better bypass that step, then.

If I don't plan on changing barrels, should I stay with Savage or Stevens?  What about a Mossberg ATR or the other brands I mentioned?

I appreciate the help.

 

[kyelkhunter3006]

If you aren't going to change the barrel, the price differences in the different basic rifles really don't mean more than $100, maybe $200.  Handle different rifles and see which action looks the best and operates the most easily for you.  Little things matter.  I love the Winchester model 70 and the 3 position safety, but I have small hands, and can't take off the safety without moving my whole hand off the grip.  So I don't use them, as I want a safety I can operate from a ready to fire position.  That means side safety's like the Remington or the Howa for me.

Replacement stocks all cost about the same for any action, same with triggers and other parts.  I like Howa's myself, don't think you can beat it for the money.  The big question is why do want to do this?  Do you want the pride of having a rifle that you tuned up and customized?  If this is why, have a good time, be patient, and shop around for prices on parts.  Or do you just want a really nice wood stocked rifle?  If you just want a nice rifle, get a Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe and call it good.  You can't do it cheaper than the factories offer, when you count costs and your time.

[Devy55]

Thanks for the feedback.

The reason I want to try this project, is the pleasure of building my own rifle, and learning some basic gunsmithing skills in the process. 

I've chosen the .270 caliber and planned on buying a rifle or barreled action already in that caliber so I didn't overextend myself by trying to fit a new barrel as my first project.  Maybe later on, when I've had more experience I'll try something more elaborate like converting an old mauser, changing barrels and calibers, or something else.  But I want to start with something basic and do some tweaking to improve it's performance from "out of the box", and customize it as my own as well.

That's why, as a novice, I'm really looking for the advice and appreciate everyone's help.  Like I said, I don't want to try a project that is too challenging for my first project.

[skippermdj]

You should take a look at Bryce Towsley's book "Gunsmithing made Easy".  It's available at Amazon for $16.47.  Mr. Towsley has step-by-step instructions on how he built a 458WM rifle for his African safari without only hand-tools (although some of the hand-tools are kind of spendy).  Brownells also has a series of articles for the home gunsmith on building a custom mauser in their "How to" section of their web site.

You can build your own custom rifle on any of the commercial or military-surplus mausers, rebarrel to the caliber of your choice, ream to set headspace, add a custom trigger, inlet and finish the stock and generally have a blast.

Mausers are ideal because the barrel does not need an extractor cut.  A new barrel can be purchased "short-chambered" from Brownells, Shaw, Sporter Express, Midway or other sources, screwed into the action and hand-reamed to set headspace all with hand tools. 

It's great fun to build your own custom rifle, but it's a heckuva lot cheaper to purchase a CZ, Weatherby, Browning, Kimber or other premium production rifle.  Don't think that, at the end of the day, you will have "saved" any money.  Ask me how I know.
;-)
- Mark

[kyelkhunter3006]

That is a pretty good book.  I don't own it, but I have read most of it.  Of course, he also admits that a few times that he was stuck, and called custom gunsmith Mark Bansner for advice and tips on how to proceed.  Having a smith like Bansner to call for help would be beneficial to anyone trying to do their own work.

[Devy55]

I've got the book, and a few others as well.  I've also got one of the AGI gunsmithing DVDs and will be ordering others.

That's what I'm doing right now...trying to learn as much as I can, before attempting this on my own for the first time.