Bolt gun build, how to start?

[knosaj]

I see alot of plp buying a rifle then start replacing every component. New barrel, stock, trigger, etc.

Wouldn't it be better just to start with buying the individual parts? Better or cheaper? They don't always make good dance partners!

Thanks.

If there is a thread or something point away!

 

[Randoman5]

It would probably be cheaper in the long run, but people don't do it that way because they can't afford to buy everything at once and want to have something to shoot while they slowly dismantle it and replace everything on the rifle because basic factory rifles don't come in the caliber they want or don't shoot like they want. If you've got the money I'd start at the top. That way at least you know if you miss it's your fault and not the rifle's.

 

[jashmore1234]

Get a pile of money and send it to GAP, the build will take care of itself.

 

[dsnipe]

I have done this several times. Buy a rifle a slowly change things on it but meanwhile shoot the piss out if it. The fun part is seeing which parts really improve accuracy and which do not. It's a good learning process.

 

[JB02]

If you got the money, get what you want from the get go. Buy the components yourself and send them to a good gunsmith. This is the way to go IMO. If you have budget constraints, upgrading the rifle piece by piece lets you get there, eventually. Of the two methods, the second costs more in the long run, but you learn more of what works and what doesn't the way.

 

[knosaj]

don't have a pile of money that's for sure! I was thinking I could spread out the cost over time until I was ready to assemble. I have other rifles to shoot. The wife will be less likely to realize the total cost this way! Lol. But I also don't wanna get it "one piece at a time" and have to use an "A-dapter kit!" If you catch my drift.
So bolt actions aren't like ARs that practically snaps together?

 

[madAB]

Starting with a basic R700 etc, also gets you out shooting. If you don't have 3K-4K to drop on a rifle, you can get shooting for 600-1k and upgrade over time as you become a better shooter. With my R700, the only upgrades I did was stock, bolt knob, and trigger. I haven't touched the action, or the barrel and it's a sub MOA shooter easily.

 

[Ol Rob]

Just my 2 cents worth. You can start with a good factory gun. Learn the limits of the weapon. Learn to load beyond the limits of the weapon. Until you KNOW the factory gun is holding you back you can't appreciate the precision of a custom gun. Building the gun is secondary to building a skillset. If you are there then you know what I mean. Very few totally custom guns can out shoot a well built, trued factory gun with a good stock and barrel. The difference is the custom rifle will retain the value of the money you sink into it. A factory gun will always be just that, no matter how well it is built, in the eyes of a potential buyer. If you plan to trade up, don't break the bank building a factory gun. Shoot and load until you are ready to move up and build a gun from scratch. I have seen many a factory gun modified to compete and beat custom rifles in a level playing field of competition. It all depends on you and where you want wind up.
Rob

 

[arocholl]

When I got interested in long range shooting I bought an off the shelf R700 and shot it until I found some of the weak points (I.e factory stock contacting the barrel with a bipod, factory finish, factory tiny bolt knob) and decided what I wanted to upgrade. Then only changes I've made are a new stock, aftermarket "tactical" bolt knob and getting the barreled action cerakoted to protect it. It'll shoot sub moa if I do my part but it's more about the shooter than the equipment to an extent.

 

[six 4 sure]

With the recent craziness, and limited supply of certain items, one might want to be sure you can acquire brass and bullets in a particular chambering. I know i'm looking at a couple different things. They are in chamberings I don't already own and there isn't any brass available. That's made me stop and rethink things. No sense have a custom, if you can't shoot it.

 

[aur0ra145]

For 1.2K I'm in a rifle that shoots beautifully. Not it's not a custom by any means, and it doesn't have the best glass in the world. But damn, I've learned so much putting rounds down range with this stick.

For rifle number 2, and after reading the M40 build guide, I've taken probably over a a year acquiring parts for that build. I actually have everything needed, it's just that I don't have the tools to inlet the stock properly. So here's to another week of waiting for Brownell's to ship me the goods.

 

[09jisaac]

This is how I am going to start and finish my custom gun.

I am going to buy a premium optic first. I want this to be the best scope I can afford, I don't want it to hold me back if I ever move up to a better shooter. Right now I am looking at NF, Vortex or Bushnell Elite. I didn't see anything in Leupold SB or USO that I liked but I haven't looked through the last two.

The rings are probably going to be LaRue lever rings so I can easily mount the scope on different rifles as I progress.

Buy a Surgeon 591 repeater action and bottom metal.

Then when I get the money, send the action to Kreiger for an SS tube in .308, .260, AND/OR .223. I think then I can just change the bolt/barrel/magazine to switch from a .308 case to the .223. I may be wrong about that. I think it should all headspace right.

I would then purchase a trigger. I think it will be a Timney or a Jewell.

I haven't decided on the stock yet, maybe an AICS 2.0. I think I can make a quality synthetic stock with an aluminum v block for around $200. I may try that.

Then all I need is magazines and ammo and I am ready to go.

The way I see it, I will have a surgeon scalpel without the large up-front cost. It'll run close to the same price, but it would be in smaller payments.

Just getting in to long range shooting, I want something that will help me get there. Anyone can shoot a custom precision firearm better than the same person shooting a factory gun.

 

[jakelly]

don't have a pile of money that's for sure! I was thinking I could spread out the cost over time until I was ready to assemble. I have other rifles to shoot. The wife will be less likely to realize the total cost this way! Lol. But I also don't wanna get it "one piece at a time" and have to use an "A-dapter kit!" If you catch my drift.
So bolt actions aren't like ARs that practically snaps together?

Buy a used one here. It's SHOT and tax return season. There isn't a better time to buy, maybe before Christmas, but what you can get for 2000 is incredible

 

[jonthomps]

How to start a custom build job:

Step 1: Call GA Precision.

Step 2: Wait.

Step 3: Done.

 

[trigger29]

I spent almost 2 years acquiring parts. First an action, then scope, then suppressor, stock, barrel, bottom metal, trigger, ect. Started at the high dollar items and worked my way down. Figured once I got the high dollar items bought it would be easier to get a couple hundred bucks together for things like bottom metal or triggers. It was fun to get a new part every couple months, and see it come together. I took my time in selecting my parts and did research while I saved. When it was done, I ended up with EXACTLY what I wanted. When I build another one, I'll do the same thing. It doesn't bother me to do it this way, as I have other rifles to shoot, and it's exciting over a long time, watching the parts roll in.

 

[broylz]

for me, I got and traded a few different factory rifles while I figured out exactly what I wanted. then I started saving for parts at a time as its more budget friendly for me to spend a little at a time and it keeps me interested instead of sitting on a savings account for too long with a gun I lose interest in. it is also cheaper for me to start with a hunting rifle and shoot the hell out of it while I wait compared to buying a big name receiver and sitting on it. a factory Remington receiver will shoot better than I am capable of. maybe I will save for a better action when im sure that the reveicer is holding me back.

 

[Pinecone]

The way I see it, it depends on YOUR situation.

What is your budget? Now or over time?

Do you have another gun to shoot?

Do you want to pick and choose every component?

Do you mind waiting?

Do you like tinkering and changing things?

Depending on the answers, you have several options, as have been mentioned.

Buy basic factory rifle (R700 or similar), start shooting and upgrade/change as funds and the mood drive you.

Buy fancy factory rifle (TRG, AI, etc) and do the same.

Send money to someone like GAP, wait, get very good rifle.

Buy bits and pieces, send to smith, have built.

 

[Bugguy]

I was going to build a rifle and ended up going with a TRG-22 and love it.

 

[TireMan]

knosaj,

I am currently in "assembly stage" of what you are talking about.
The negatives...as seen above...it can take some time to assemble on a budget. In my case, 2.5 years for this particular rifle.

On the other hand...the positives...
Shop deals on every part, no rush. Find quality used, blem, or floor models.
Get exactly what you wanted from the get go. From pad to the crown.
Upon first shot, the rifle will have been paid in full many months prior.

If you have something else to shoot, waiting is not really an issue.

Simple can also be better: as stated above, GAP.