Post by: mrolen on February 23, 2011, 08:05:38 PM
Post by: norsepeak on February 23, 2011, 08:29:26 PM
Post by: hoyt2002 on February 23, 2011, 08:42:29 PM
Post by: AWS on February 23, 2011, 09:19:17 PM
AWS
Post by: MDGrand on February 23, 2011, 10:43:07 PM
Wood stock.. I would pick out or have made a AAA Fancy walknut stuck, deep English Walnut and have it cut. If cost is an issue, you can find a TON of nice stocks online unfinished if you prefer.. Stockys has plenty, Boyds are really good too. many coats of polyurethene and sanding.. finish it off with a pachmyer
Caliber.. Non magnum huh? Ok.. well, that leaves it to two classics: 270 or .30-06.. My vote is for the 30-06 to ensure you can get all NA game with a little more umph (easy Jack O'Connor fans!)
Barrel: Douglas! No doubt about it.. reasonably priced, really nice barrels.. Rate of twist, 1:11.. no need to go any faster with an 270 or .30-06 cartridge.. Lenght, 24".. perhaps 25" to help out the long action and give you just a litle more velocity. Size, 5A.. that is a bit larger than a standard sporter barrel in the 4s.. but adds a bit of steadiness, more barrel life and touching on a tactical look. Matt blue it. Recess the crown.
Action: Mauser Mark X. The original positive feeding action (well maybe thats the Mauser 98).. but the Mark X is almost identical and Winchester just copied it. I would incorporate the 3 position safety though, those are awesome and it can be done quite easily with the Mark X. As far as stregth, the Rem 700 is barely stronger, but only slightly.. and if you are building a classic, the extractor claw gives huge touch of class. Blueprint this action, lap the lugs and true it up to the receiver and barrel and you will have a great tack driver. Lastly glass bed it and float the barrel. Matt blue it.
I am redoing my dads old converted springfield in almost the same matter.
Good luck!
Post by: sakoshooter on February 23, 2011, 11:31:06 PM
I know you said you don't want a mag cal but look at the 300wsm. Its very close to a 300 win mag but less recoil. it's about the same as the 06 in recoil but flatter shooting. norsepeak was right on about the action and the barrel. don't go cheap get the best you can afford.
I beg to differ on your comparison of the 300 Win Mag recoild versus the 300 WSM. My brother in law has one and my son the other. I've shot both and can't tell any difference in recoil with similar loads. Ballistically, they're almost the same. The only difference to my knowledge is a shorter action on the Short Mag. The loss of those few ounces form less action could technically turn into more recoil.
My vote would be for the 30-06 for reasons already stated. It's boring caliber to talk about but it's the greatest all around caliber ever according to the gun buying public. I'm also glad to hear you want a wood stock. I love nice wood.
Post by: spookgus on February 24, 2011, 12:12:27 AM
Post by: norsepeak on February 24, 2011, 08:57:54 AM
Post by: MuleySniper on February 24, 2011, 09:15:21 AM
Caliber.. Non magnum huh? Ok.. well, that leaves it to two classics: 270 or .30-06.. My vote is for the 30-06 to ensure you can get all NA game with a little more umph (easy Jack O'Connor fans!)
I was thinking the same thing!
MS
Post by: 400out on February 24, 2011, 09:24:37 AM
Post by: Rob on February 24, 2011, 09:25:30 AM
Best advice I ever received regarding building a rife was to define:
1. What you want to shoot (varmint, deer, Elk, Moose, zombies, paper, etc)
2. The range you want to shoot at (100 yards? 1,000 yards? 300 yards?)
3. Select a bullet type, weight and caliber in a cartridge that gives you the energy needed to effectively kill your target at the max range you want to shoot at (and still buck winds if you are looking for long range stuff)
4. Now start looking at the barrel make and twist rate.
5. Move on to the action, stock and optics from there.
I'm working with a buddy to build a wildcat right now and we are just about ready to chamber the barrel! can't wait!
Post by: Jamieb on February 24, 2011, 11:24:24 AM
I'd top it with a leupold VX3 3.5-10X40 W/ M-1 elevation turret. Talley LW's. I don't mind a blued action with a SS barrel so to save money I'd probably buy a blued/steel donor rifle to start with.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 24, 2011, 11:54:36 AM
Need to know what you are hunting, and what ranges you want to shoot at.
Best advice I ever received regarding building a rife was to define:
1. What you want to shoot (varmint, deer, Elk, Moose, zombies, paper, etc)
2. The range you want to shoot at (100 yards? 1,000 yards? 300 yards?)
3. Select a bullet type, weight and caliber in a cartridge that gives you the energy needed to effectively kill your target at the max range you want to shoot at (and still buck winds if you are looking for long range stuff)
4. Now start looking at the barrel make and twist rate.
5. Move on to the action, stock and optics from there.
This is some great advice. Other than that, for cartridge... 30-06ai (for when you do start reloading you can take advantage of another +100fps, and it's not a wildcat since you can still fire factory ammo in the same chamber.) You can build a custom around a factory cartridge if you want, but you're throwing out money from the tree. There are plenty of premium grade wood stocked guns available. Buy one, and have a gunsmith ream out the chamber to AI or have a Lilja or Douglas barrel installed. Then put some premium optics on and go hunting. Spend your money on what counts, not just that it's a custom gun.
-Steve
Post by: sakoshooter on February 24, 2011, 05:34:05 PM
Post by: mrolen on February 25, 2011, 07:11:51 AM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 25, 2011, 07:41:18 AM
Quote
i asked you those questions was because i want to know what the majority of hunters want as far as caliber, action, barrel ect
In the future, I suggest that you don't play psycho analyst and just ask your customers exactly what they want. If you want to know what the majority of hunters want as far as caliber, action, barrel ect, then the sales statistics should speak for themselves.
You eliminated mag and wildcat cartridges in your OP. People that have a rifle built are not the same sort that buy run of the mill rifles in standard chamberings off the shelf. People that have something built, will very often spec a mag or wildcat, so you eliminated a percentage of prospective customers right there. Eliminating a majority? The same with action and barrel contour. These options are specific to the use of the rifle and desires of the shooter. Some guys want all weather stainless, but you eliminated that choice in your OP. So, you could be affecting your 'majority of hunters'. Same with only allowing a wood stock.
So, to answer your question, If it was me... Limited to a wood stocked, non stainless rifle, in a factory chambering, I would not have a custom rifle built.
-Steve
Post by: mrolen on February 25, 2011, 08:16:33 AM
Post by: longrange7mm on February 25, 2011, 08:24:30 AM
Remington 700 action, because accessories are readily available and they are a proven action.
Timney Trigger
As far as caliber you dont want a wildcat or a magnum. 6.5mm x .284 $40 - $50 per box off the shelf and They shoot amazing and are deadly out to 1k
I picked up on the wood stock because you can get them at a good price.check these websites (stockystocks.com/rifle-stocks.com) you may find a better deal
Benchmark BBLs are becoming very popular and are proven accurate and affordable.
Countour 4 - 26" with a 1:8.5 or 1:9 twist unless you plan on shooting past 500 yards then you may want a contour 5 or Sendero contour. 26" is an accommodating length for an all around rifle.
Finish I am a fan of Cerakote but this is a personal preference that you need to decide what you like.
Cant wait to see some pictures of it when your done!
Post by: mountainman on February 25, 2011, 10:19:50 PM
Post by: mrolen on February 26, 2011, 11:00:44 AM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 26, 2011, 12:50:47 PM
I don't know what shooting range you live near, but get in with the target shooters and if you can, find a youth program where you can build an accurate gun for a youngster that you can sell, for not much above cost, donating your labor. Word of mouth and the accuracy, fit, finish of your rifle will be your best advertisement to sell more. Find a specialty you are good at and refine it to be the very best in that field in your area.
If you've got access to a mill and lathe, can you ream chambers? Can you blueprint actions? Jewel bolts? Is your specialty with rifles or can you work the trigger of a Ruger GP100 to feel like a 1968 Python?
What famous gun smith do you hold in the highest regard? What got him/her to that level?
For me? ... Roddy Toyota and Ed Masaki come to mind. Jim Clark.
Are you planning on making a living at this yourself or working for a gunsmith/machinist that is already established?
-Steve