Help me build my first custom rifle!

C

cayotehunter

New member
Hey guys,
Ive decided for my summer project that I would like to plunge into the world of building my own custom rifle and Im gunna need some serious help from you guys who have done this before.

I want to build a bolt action hunting rig in .358 Winchester. Now, I was going to have ER Shaw build me one in their mk VII rifle but the 14 month wait time with 50% up front and the stock options turned me off of that idea. I think I will still have ER Shaw provide the barrel and do the re-chambering because they have the best prices and Ive been happy with the shaw barrel on my 6.8spc. This will be a hunting rifle that will be hunted with so while I want a quality barrel I dont need a super match grade barrel. So anyway the caliber and the barrel are about the only two things Ive decided on.

I would like to hear from you guys how you get started on a new build project? What action do you prefer: savage/stevens, howa, remington, ruger, tikka? And do you try and find a donor rifle or just a used action for sale or buy a new action? What quality stocks should I consider?

The other thing I should mention is that I cant be spending $5,000 on a rifle
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so if you guys have suggestions on quality parts that might be cheaper or the best deal I would love to hear those! My budget is about $1500 or so with optics. Any info or opinions offered are really appreciated! Thanks guys
 
Originally Posted By: cayotehunterThe other thing I should mention is that I cant be spending $5,000 on a rifle
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so if you guys have suggestions on quality parts that might be cheaper or the best deal I would love to hear those! My budget is about $1500 or so with optics. Any info or opinions offered are really appreciated! Thanks guys

Not sure you can build a custom for that small amount of money.

If you can I am not sure you can get the barrel,stock,and action ordered and received by the end of summer.
 
It doesnt have to be done by the end of the summer, I just want to start on it this summer. The first reason for building this rifle is because I want something different that not alot of people have, thus the .358 win (and i like 35's
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). Also, I understand that building a custom rifle is expensive but that was kinda just a reference point. If what I want ends up being more than $1500 than so be it. Im just looking for suggestions as to where to start because Ive never done this before
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Well I have had a custom or two built and currently have some in the works.

My experience is that it can be a daunting task for the beginner. I have learned so much, but I'm glad I did. I would advise you to get in touch with someone who has gone through the process. They can be a wealth of knowledge. I have had 7 or 8 guys on here alone help me out with many questions.

Here is what I have learned (others results I'm sure will vary)

Action: I have a custom built on a Rem 700 action and while I like it and fully understand that more customs are built on this action than any other. I have been using custom actions for my current builds. Why? Well by the time I buy an action, have it trued, spiral flute the bolt, have a tactical bolt knob installed and if I want a side bolt release, well I have as much or more than a custom. I got in on the recent Snipers Hide Group buy for Stiller actions for $760. I don't think I can get a 700 with all of those features for that price.

Barrel: Lots of great barrel makers out there. Guess you need to decide barrel profile and other things like length and then decide if you want a button or single cut rifle barrel. As far as I know most of the good barrel makers are months behind.

Stock: Several different ones to choose from here. Seems like most guys use McMillan and/or Manners. There are others out there too.

Gunsmith: Lots of good ones out there. Some will order these parts for you and some want you to do it. I've done it both ways. I kinda like being in control now and I order my own stuff. But you will need to do your homework especially when ordering a stock because they will ask you a bunch of questions.

Don't be afraid to ask specific questions here. The guys here are wonderful at sharing information

Shoot me a PM if you want
 
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Originally Posted By: cyoteklerI would like to get in on Stiller action for that price...

Group buy ended March 31

I think they had over 200 actions purchased
 
Action, barrel and chambering will eat up your $1500. Greg young aka bugholes.com keeps actions in stock and probably get you a barrel fairly quickly and will do the chambering also.... one stop shop.
 
nwactionworks advertises a trued rem 700 for I think just under $500 you can find them on accurateshooter.com

ER Shaw SS rem contour barrel threaded and short chambered $260

B&C Alaskan II $213

decent trigger $150

smith work $175 =$1298 + scope rings mount

could be a nice rifle, I have a couple being built now that but that doesn't sound like a bad combo to me I've been wanting a 338-06 sounds like a good way to go
 
Originally Posted By: Buster HindendWell I have had a custom or two built and currently have some in the works.

My experience is that it can be a daunting task for the beginner. I have learned so much, but I'm glad I did. I would advise you to get in touch with someone who has gone through the process. They can be a wealth of knowledge. I have had 7 or 8 guys on here alone help me out with many questions.

Here is what I have learned (others results I'm sure will vary)

Action: I have a custom built on a Rem 700 action and while I like it and fully understand that more customs are built on this action than any other. I have been using custom actions for my current builds. Why? Well by the time I buy an action, have it trued, spiral flute the bolt, have a tactical bolt knob installed and if I want a side bolt release, well I have as much or more than a custom. I got in on the recent Snipers Hide Group buy for Stiller actions for $760. I don't think I can get a 700 with all of those features for that price.

Barrel: Lots of great barrel makers out there. Guess you need to decide barrel profile and other things like length and then decide if you want a button or single cut rifle barrel. As far as I know most of the good barrel makers are months behind.

Stock: Several different ones to choose from here. Seems like most guys use McMillan and/or Manners. There are others out there too.

Gunsmith: Lots of good ones out there. Some will order these parts for you and some want you to do it. I've done it both ways. I kinda like being in control now and I order my own stuff. But you will need to do your homework especially when ordering a stock because they will ask you a bunch of questions.

Don't be afraid to ask specific questions here. The guys here are wonderful at sharing information

Shoot me a PM if you want

Couldnt agree more!Esp on the action comment,I have several "custom" rems but at the end of the day thier still rem actions.
 
I just had one built. In fact, I'm still in the process of building rounds for it.
The main goal for mine was "light weight". It was/is going to be a carry rifle for an older person (me :D) who hunts in the mountains. After pricing parts, the least expensive way for me to go was to buy a new (used would work great) Kimber Montana and have the barrel removed, a new barrel of my caliber choice setup and installed. Then the whole thing rebedded. This was not going to be a bench/varmint rifle, so a super light trigger was not required. Kimbers triggers will adjust under #2 and break like a glass rod. The Kimber Montana stock is Carbon Fiber and designed by Mel Forbes (NULA Rifles). According to my Gunsmith, the action was the squarest of any factory action he had ever seen. I ended up with about $1800 in it and it is very light and shoots great.
Recently I bought a Kimber Classic (nice walnut stock)used for under $800. It would make a great custom if I was to rebarrel it in another caliber. And, setup ready to hunt it weighs 7.08 lbs.
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When I was pricing, going with my Rem. MDL7 action, the whole setup would have exceeded $2000 and I would still be at the same weight I am with the Kimber.
The barrel I chose was a Lilja, so I'm sure an E.R. Shaw might be a shade cheaper or maybe another brand.

Just my 2 cents.

Here's the custom Kimber..............

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And here's the Kimber Classic...............

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I have done a couple of dozen custum rifles over the years. some with custom actions, some with Remington actions. For a 358 I would not use anything but a Remington theres no benifit with a custom in that caliber except you can say you have one. Barrles, and stocks are a diff. matter. MacMillan, and a Hart, or Lilja barrel goes on all my customs. the last custom hunting gun I did was a 250 sav, and 22/250 swtich barrel. I used matching Hart barrels in a #1 contour. With a MacMillan model 7 stock, trued Remington action, with a factory trigger set at 2-1/2 pounds. I had the action. The barrel and work was $600 per barrel. The stock, and work was $650. The action trueing was included in the barrel work. This is not a varmint rifle but a deer, and coyote rifle that wieghs 6-1/2 pounds witha burris compact 3x9. The 22/250 does about 3/8 for five shots. The 250 sav. does about 3/4 with 100 gr. Nosler part. and 1/2 inch with 75 grain v maxes.
 
Bought the McMillan Classic used for about $400, it was like new. Used Rem 700 donor for $400, sold the bdl stock $50. Brand new Shilen SS #2 contour barrel under $250 shipped. Action trued, threads single pointed, lugs trued on lathe and lapped for $75. Barrel chambered, threaded/installed $200.

Total $1275, Later added a Rifle Basix trigger for about $125 so new total is $1400

Rem700204Ruger.jpg
 
Buster what is the purpose of a spiral fluted bolt?

Im also very interest in this thread.I'm currently in the proccess of a build on a 700 action. picked up the bdm just the other day. now just looking at everything else.
 
+1 on NorthWestActionWorks
http://www.nwactionworks.com/#!components
You should be able to get a "good" barrel chambered and installed for five bills or less.
Put em both in a HS sporter stock, add a 3.5-10 VX3, and you'll be pretty close to your price point.

Just one of several hundred ways to go, so good luck.

 
I have a few custom rifles that I have under $1500 into them. The thing is to shop around and find good deals. It can be done, but takes sometime.
 
Well, my next custom build will cost me maybe $200. Off and on for the last few weeks I've done some stock fitting/shaping for the new wood on a 1885 Winchester low wall build in 22 hornet. Its owner has pretty much all the machine equipment needed for gunsmithing, something he does. We'd never really talked price for my work, just agreeing on something in trade. Anyway, as payment for my work on his stock when I delivered the wood to him, he gives me a Model 1912 Chile 98 Steyr mauser action and a decent old Fagen mauser inletted stock that'd never really been finished. Action is in pretty good shape. Had a broken firing pin in it, but I had a spare one. In addition to the action, he'll install and chamber the barrel for free, maybe even include a blue job too. I was kinda stunned by his generousity....telling him I was getting the better of this deal. My only problem is deciding what cartridge for it....gent has around 20 or so chamber reamers to choose from. By the way folks, both he and I have had pretty good luck with the inexpensive A&B barrels from Midway, one reason my cost should be under $200.
 


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