Wanting to build a custom rifle

Originally Posted By: Vent_O_LaterHey guys I got some money coming my way and want to build a custom rifle. I have know idea were to start, but here is what I've come up with so far.

-Smaller caliber, but still able to hunt with, .243-.270

-Not sure on barrel, length or dia.

-Want a somewhat low overall weight

-Will be used primarily for anything that moves!!

I've been tossing around a .243 AI don't have any idea on were to start, looking for some suggestions, thanks

-Vent-


In order to get more meaningful advice, you need to be more specific about your desires in a rifle, and what the intended use will be.
"Will be used primarily for anything that moves!!" is too vague. A 458 Winchester can do that...
Do you want a PF or CRF action? Stainless, or blued? Synthetic stock, or Walnut? Light weight, or heavy?
 
Man, you fellas have got some schweeet sticks!!!!

Here's my idea of a perfect "all around bolt rifle"...

It started life as my favorite deer rifle, a Model Seven .308.
Patriot Arms built it into an awesome little 7-08...
Patriot7-08014.jpg

#3 contour, 21" Broughton 5C on my trued Seven action
Leupy 1pc base/rings (for strength)
All metal is black Cerakote
Stock is a Remmy AWR in OD Cerakote with titanium pillars.
Leupy VXIII 2.5-8x36

At 7lbs scoped, it runs either a 120 TSX or VMAX sub MOA easy @ 3000fps.
Not the fastest, flattest, lightest or hardest hitting stick around, but it is soooo beautifully balanced. And pick either poison in 120grains and it'll kill whatever you wish it to with boring regularity...
 
Originally Posted By: TimZFor you guys interested in a custom in the 308 family (243, 260, 7-08), I'll tell you what I have done recently. CDNN Investments has had the FN Model 70 short actions on sale for $349. Then I sent it to Pac-Nor to get a barrel installed and action trued Roughly $500). A MacMillan stock will be another $450. So if the budget is $2k that leaves $650 for a gunsmith to put it together and some optics, which should be doable.

I will probably spend a bit more than $2k by the end of the project, but not much. Just some ideas for you,

Tim

I just saw a whole FN PBR for $650 UNFIRED. Barreled actions were going for $400. I might well still be able to find one or the other, or both for someone.

FWIW, these barreled actions were made in the Connecticut plant, and not in SC in the new plant.......
 
Some of you guys who are quoting $200-$300 for the gunsmith work, have you ever had this kind of work done for that price or are you just guessing? Not calling anybody a liar but that sounds really cheap to me.
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It costs around $275 just to take an old barrel off and replace it with a new tube, after it is cut, crowned, chambered, threaded, and put back on.........
 
Timber, you're right, it is cheap. 2MG hit it on the head. I charge $250 to install a barrel, guys that charge $300 to do a barrel job and square the action must not be doing much to the action other than cleaning up the face and calling it trued.
 
That is low on the smith work. Thread Chamber crown is 200, truing the action runs 100-150 depending on if the action needs to be retimed as well, and includes squareing the lug seats, recutting the threads, facing the reciever, squareing the bolt lugs, and squareing the bolt face. Pillar bedding is going to run another 125. Then you have the finish which could be anywhere from 50 for just a plain bead blast to 300 for a full digital camo job in Cerakote.

Add them up and you get into the 500-800 neighborhood pretty fast.
 
Dan Dowling charges about $250 to install, chamber, crown, thread, and work the action. I don't think he recuts the threads, but he trues the face, squares the bolt face, squaring the lug seats, and bolt lugs.
 
Originally Posted By: Timberbeast7Some of you guys who are quoting $200-$300 for the gunsmith work, have you ever had this kind of work done for that price or are you just guessing? Not calling anybody a liar but that sounds really cheap to me.
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I was quoting a high price myself.

Heck, my smith gave me a ring on Monday AM letting me know it's going to be $135 for, truing, chambering, crowning, and return shipping. Oh, a month turn around to boot.

If you guys are paying over $350, you're insane!
 
SuperSeal, if you've ever done it you'd understand why guys charge so much. If your smith only charges $135 I would have to say he is the one thats insane.
 
Verminator, I've seen some of Dan's work and I won't say anything negative about it but I strongly believe that if you do not recut the threads there's not much sense in surfacing the receiver. You're tenon is going to follow the threads. Why square one and not the other
 
The Cerakote works very well. Once it has been baked it is cured unlike the durakote that isn't cured for a couple weeks afterward. The Cerakote also has been moredurable, and goes on thinner so there isn't a built up look to it. I do know one of my spray guns never did seem to work the same after using durakote for one job. I ended up tossing it and going to a new spray gun. Once the Cerakote is curred I haven't found any solvent that will touch it so make sure you want it where it's going other wise abrasive is the only way to remove it.
 
I might have to pick up an oven and try it out. I've never had a problem with my spraygun but I did find that it takes more attention than paint to get it cleaned up
 
Field and Stream has an article about ER Shaw custom builds .Savage action, your choice of stock {Boyds ?}pick your caliber, barrel contour, length.

Anyone have one?Price well under 2k.Maybe not a true custom But..
 
Originally Posted By: JBPrecisionSuperSeal, if you've ever done it you'd understand why guys charge so much. If your smith only charges $135 I would have to say he is the one thats insane.

Seal---I have seen smiths that do it @ this price. Problem is, they don't really do it. I would be very skeptical.......
 
Originally Posted By: JBPrecisionVerminator, I've seen some of Dan's work and I won't say anything negative about it but I strongly believe that if you do not recut the threads there's not much sense in surfacing the receiver. You're tenon is going to follow the threads. Why square one and not the other

I couldn't agree more.....
 


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