Gunsmithing compact 308 home shop build

[300sniper]

i've been planning this build for a while and the last part came in today. i have wanted a compact 308 for our local steel match which has targets between 100 and 550 yards. i wanted something handy, medium weight and would fit in the tiny trunk of my car. this should fit the bill perfect. this is NOT intended for a 1k yard f/tr rifle but i am sure i will send some rounds toward a 1k target now and then just to find it's limits.

the planned finished specs:

stiller tac30 action
bartlein .299 bore, 1:11.25 twist barrel finished at 18.5" (possible fluted but will wait until the end to decide)
aics 2.0
remington trigger
stiller 20 moa base
stiller .300 recoil lug
surefire adapter/muzzle brake
badger ordnance scope rings
leupold mk4 4.5-14 mildot scope
metal finished in flat black norells moly resin

like a bonehead, i forgot that i was using a tight bore barrel and didn't order the proper pilot bushing sizes for my tooling until yesterday. hopefully they were in stock and i can get going on this toward the end of next week or next weekend. i will try to keep this updated as i go.

the stiller tac30 action and base.

the parts.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

you should have no problems making it to 1K, almost the same setup as LL gladius

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Stop flapping your gums and start making chips. Maybe we'll see this thing screwed together by lunch tomorrow.

Looks good, bet it'll shoot.

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

i'd probably have it done by lunch tomorrow if i had a .2990 or .2988 pilot bushings in my toolbox.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Damn, that do make a difference

 

[eddybo]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Why not make one? I was not going to order one for a factory barrel I rechambered so I made one out of brass, worked okay.

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

i don't have the patience or capability to hold .0001" tolerances on id and od. i'll wait a few days for someone who can to send me the correct ones.

 

[macman2564]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

That thing will be sexy ass hell when it is done. And like deadly said before you should make it to 1k nicely and with style!!

 

[Hateca]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Let me know how this adapter checks out.

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HateCA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Let me know how this adapter checks out. </div></div>
will do. when i thread the muzzle, i'll put an indicator on the od of the adapter in a couple spots as well as the exit hole.

 

[skeetlee]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

I sure wish i had machining ability. I bet i coud learn, but I dont know anyone who could teach me. Bummer!!! Rifle looks cool, cant wait to see it complete. Lee

 

[assaultinc]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

WOW, looks great cant wait to see completed pics.

 

[shadow_sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I sure wish i had machining ability. I bet i coud learn, but I dont know anyone who could teach me. Bummer!!! Rifle looks cool, cant wait to see it complete. Lee </div></div>

Dont make exscuses. teach your self thats what I am doing.

and sweet cant wait to see it done.

 

[665.0coupe]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I sure wish i had machining ability. I bet i coud learn, but I dont know anyone who could teach me. Bummer!!! Rifle looks cool, cant wait to see it complete. Lee </div></div>

Teach yourself. That's what 300sniper did. You could also check your local vocational school. Most offer evening classes in machining where you could learn the basics.

If you want to teach yourself just get some books and look for videos and info on the internet. All you need after that is enough money to make chips and break tools until you have figured out what your doing.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Looks great sir

There are some great machinists/gunsmiths on here.
I look forward to the day I have as much experience as some of you guys.

 

[crumpmd]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Don't forget to make pictures!
I was well into cutting the chamber for my new build before I remembered. Doh!

 

[BForhan]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

300,
It has been 9 days whats taking so long? Can't wait to see the pictures.

Brian

 

[ukdave28]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

You will love that brake, I put one on my 20" and it works great

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BForhan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">300,
It has been 9 days whats taking so long?
</div></div>

i'm still waiting on my pilot bushings.

i've done all i can to it with out the pilot bushings. all that i could do was open up the recoil lug inlet in the aics for the .300" lug

.

 

[ukdave28]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

I just want to thank 300 for what I am sure is going to be another great read/build. I look forward to the pictures and being taken step by step through the process.

I wish more people would do this, I am still trying the learn everything I can about guns and the way that they are built.

So again, Thank you 300 and the rest of the guys that contribute regularly to this great site, it truly is a source of knowledge.

 

[monteboy84]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Great build! Can't wait to see your finished product brother....

-matt

 

[Nocalphoenix]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

300, what are you running now at Sac? I cannot remember names or faces worth a crap but I could probably remember your rifle. Im the one that refuses to stop on the KYL stages and always shoots until I miss. My rifle is that ugly ass desert flectarn pattern.

I also felt a need to build a rifle just for that range, I made mine a medium weight .243 (braked cause Im a puss).

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

i haven't been shooting the steel match but i shoot my 284 in the long range match.

 

[BForhan]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

What do they not understand the people of the hide whant to see the project.
I have a theory, you are just building up the hype of your next DIY thread.

Brian

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

well i got my bushings the other day so i was able to get started on this today.

i guess we'll go ahead and do a full pictorial on this build again.


first thing i did was chuck up the barrel through the headstock. i wanted to part an inch off the chamber end before i dialed the bore in. for this, i dialed the od of the barrel in two spots real quick using the spider chuck and rear spider.

next i parted about an inch off.

i then faced the barrel end from the inside out to remove any bur that may have risen during the parting process.

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

next i inserted the range rod and fitted bushing. this bartlein barrel was awesome. i had the od dialed in and the id was almost perfect. it was within a couple tenths from just dialing in the od. i made a slight adjustment and had it within a tenth in two spots along the range rod.

i like to find the high spot at the muzzle end so i can index this upward. i placed a dial indicator at the muzzle end near where i am going to finish the barrel at. i found the high spot and marked it top dead center.

 

[Big Dog Steel]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

300 - Keep up the good work and please take lots of photos. I'm going to try and put one together as well. Can you post a little more info on the dimensions of the spider you made? Thanks!

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

next i turned the barrel shank to od.

i then set up my threading tool and made a light pass to make sure i am on the correct thread pitch.

threads complete.

i then screw the action on to check where it indexes with my tdc mark. of course it was not quite where i wanted it. i needed to turn it just about 90* clockwise.

i removed .015" from the shoulder to get the receiver to index where i wanted it.

that worked out good. the glare is hiding my tdc mark but it is just about where i need to to clock correctly when tightened down.

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

next i face the barrel face to the correct length.

then i bored out the bolt nose counterbore.

at this point, i like to double check that i have about .007" to .008" clearance between the bolt lugs/bolt nose to the barrel face/counterbore. this should give .005" to .006" clearance when the barrel is torqued down.

 

[crumpmd]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

thank you for the pictures

Are you running a dial indicator on your carriage just for cutting that sort of thing? I had been resetting my compound to 90° and using it to cut one or two thou (or 5 or 10! lol) off the shoulder until Mr Roscoe gave me a hint on the phone.

Tell us about why finding the high spot and indexing it is useful.

I really appreciate seeing other setups.My setup is done the same way. Finding validation in my work by viewing others helps build confidence. Thanks for posting

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

now i get set up to ream the chamber. i still don't care for this style of reamer holder but it has been working. at this point in my life, keeping top ramen in my belly is more of a priority than a new reamer holder.

once i start getting close, i place the recoil lug on, insert a headspace gauge and screw the action on until the bolt face bottoms out on the hs gauge. i measure the gap between the receiver face and the recoil lug with a feeler gauge. this is the amount that the chamber needs to be deepened.

once i get the bolt handle to drop on the headspace gauge, i place a piece of scotch tape on the headspace gauge head. this lengthens it by .002". i like to finish the chamber so there is a slight resistance closing the bolt handle on the headspace gauge with the scotch tape. this should give me between zero and .002" over minimum headspace once the barrel is torqued down. probably closer to zero. once i am satisfied with that, i do a quick polish to the chamber with 400 grit sandpaper and wd40. then i polish out the sharp edge at the rear of the chamber and polish the counterbore and barrel face.

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: crumpmd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thank you for the pictures

Are you running a dial indicator on your carriage just for cutting that sort of thing? I had been resetting my compound to 90° and using it to cut one or two thou (or 5 or 10! lol) off the shoulder until Mr Roscoe gave me a hint on the phone.

Tell us about why finding the high spot and indexing it is useful.

I really appreciate seeing other setups.My setup is done the same way. Finding validation in my work by viewing others helps build confidence. Thanks for posting </div></div>

the dial indicator on a magnetic base is one of the must used things around my lathe. it is about the only way i measure carriage travel.


i like to index the muzzle pointing up to ensure i don't have any windage problems if the muzzle is pointed off to the side. it also makes sure the barrel is centered in the stock. this barrel probably wouldn't have made any difference which way it was clocked as there was less than .010" runout at the muzzle end. most of the barrels i have worked with so far were closer to .030". whether that makes any real world diference, i honestly don't know. i'd rather not have to find out the hard way.

 

[Hateca]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: crumpmd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thank you for the pictures

Are you running a dial indicator on your carriage just for cutting that sort of thing? I had been resetting my compound to 90° and using it to cut one or two thou (or 5 or 10! lol) off the shoulder until Mr Roscoe gave me a hint on the phone.

Tell us about why finding the high spot and indexing it is useful.

I really appreciate seeing other setups.My setup is done the same way. Finding validation in my work by viewing others helps build confidence. Thanks for posting </div></div>

Because you want the barrel run-out to be TDC or BDC. This does two things right off the bat. Doesn’t make the barrel look like it's crooked in the stock and if the run-out is at 3 or 9 o'clock you will use up windage in your scope. This is by far the reason most have lost windage in scope adjustment instead of the scope base holes not being drilled properly. Also if you put the run-out at TDC you can cheat your ballistics info a little.

300sniper looking good.

 

[BForhan]

Re: compact 308 home shop build


300sniper,
Looking good and very informative as usual. Thank you for sharing.
Now I just need to get my own shop and tools and, screw it I just went broke again.

Brian

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

i got a bit more done today.

first thing i did today was take a piece of 1.25" x .125" wall dom tube i had laying around and threaded the inside for 1.062-16. this is going to be used as a barrel extension. when doing the muzzle work on this short of a barrel, the chamber end would not reach my rear spider. since that was still set up in the lathe and obviously running true, i decided to make life easy and screw my barrel onto it and use a steady rest and live center to part the excess barrel off.

well, no turning back now. we're committed to a 18.5" barrel.

for shits 'n giggles, i wanted to see how much bore runout there actually was compared to the od of the barrel. as i suspected, there was a lot.

 

[Bryan27]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

300sniper,

Thanks for posting your projects, they're one of the main reasons I like the gunsmithing section so much, lot's to learn. One question I have is how do you determine at which point to start your threading tool about the circumfrence of the barrel so that the arch is pointing up top dead center? After you find top dead center on the muzzle end and line it up on the chamber end, mark it as the 12 o'clock positioin, how do you determine if you need to start your thread at the 1-12 o'clock positions so that after you tighten the action it remains at the 12 o'clock and the tenon is the correct length? Do you just start at a random point and screw on the action with the recoil lug, then adjust by lengthening the thread and tenon until it is TDC and remove the extra tennon length from the chamber end after getting it oriented how it needs to be? Do you torque it to spec. to make sure it will be right when you're done?

I bet you're responsible for a lot of guys on here wanting to buy a lathe and milling machine! I know you've got me saving my pennies!

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

my spider chuck was reinstalled and the barrel was chucked up. i dialed it in on a range rod to better than .0001" i two spots.

next i turned down the step for the surefire brake.

then i threaded the muzzle and cut the crown. since this is going to have a brake on all the time, i just went with a straight crown and a light edge break on the rifling.

i had an issue with a surefire brake having lots of runout the last time i installed one. i needed to open up the exit hole an extra .010" to clean it up. it certainly would have had a bullet strike if i didn't. this one had about .0015" of runout at the exit hole. i didn't bother with cleaning up this one. it may start bugging me knowing that there is runout and i may true it up once i index it in the right spot. my tdc mark was hidden in the headstock so i couldn't index it at this time. if i had to guess, that is probably within sf's tolerances.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Very kool project. Thank you for taking the time to post all the pics!

Keith

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

yep, i think this one will fit in the trunk of my car

. it is about 31.5" when folded.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

that looks great, i may befriend you and come learn how to run the mills and all that. You sir have become my new best friend

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bryan27</div><div class="ubbcode-body">300sniper,

Thanks for posting your projects, they're one of the main reasons I like the gunsmithing section so much, lot's to learn. One question I have is how do you determine at which point to start your threading tool about the circumfrence of the barrel so that the arch is pointing up top dead center? After you find top dead center on the muzzle end and line it up on the chamber end, mark it as the 12 o'clock positioin, how do you determine if you need to start your thread at the 1-12 o'clock positions so that after you tighten the action it remains at the 12 o'clock and the tenon is the correct length? Do you just start at a random point and screw on the action with the recoil lug, then adjust by lengthening the thread and tenon until it is TDC and remove the extra tennon length from the chamber end after getting it oriented how it needs to be? Do you torque it to spec. to make sure it will be right when you're done?

I bet you're responsible for a lot of guys on here wanting to buy a lathe and milling machine! I know you've got me saving my pennies! </div></div>

this is one thing i like about fat recoil lugs. i thread further toward the shoulder than i need to. this gives me room to work without having to worry about chasing the theads further. i start the threads random. once the threads are cut, i thread the receiver onto the barrel with the recoil lug in place. i determine how many degrees i need to clock it and do the math to figure out how much to remove from the shoulder. with a 16 tpi, .0017" removed from the shoulder equals about 10*. i set the shoulder where i want it and then go back and trim the barrel face to the correct dimension.

 

[PCR]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Great thread... Thanks for sharing

 

[Bryan27]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 300sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bryan27</div><div class="ubbcode-body">300sniper,

Thanks for posting your projects, they're one of the main reasons I like the gunsmithing section so much, lot's to learn. One question I have is how do you determine at which point to start your threading tool about the circumfrence of the barrel so that the arch is pointing up top dead center? After you find top dead center on the muzzle end and line it up on the chamber end, mark it as the 12 o'clock positioin, how do you determine if you need to start your thread at the 1-12 o'clock positions so that after you tighten the action it remains at the 12 o'clock and the tenon is the correct length? Do you just start at a random point and screw on the action with the recoil lug, then adjust by lengthening the thread and tenon until it is TDC and remove the extra tennon length from the chamber end after getting it oriented how it needs to be? Do you torque it to spec. to make sure it will be right when you're done?

I bet you're responsible for a lot of guys on here wanting to buy a lathe and milling machine! I know you've got me saving my pennies! </div></div>

this is one thing i like about fat recoil lugs. i thread further toward the shoulder than i need to. this gives me room to work without having to worry about chasing the theads further. i start the threads random. once the threads are cut, i thread the receiver onto the barrel with the recoil lug in place. i determine how many degrees i need to clock it and do the math to figure out how much to remove from the shoulder. with a 16 tpi, .0017" removed from the shoulder equals about 10*. i set the shoulder where i want it and then go back and trim the barrel face to the correct dimension. </div></div>

I see. Makes much more sense than trying to chase threads and get them to stop exactly where you need them to....taking it off the shoulder would be a lot more precise and controlable way to do it. Oh, and now that you have this one done what are you going to build for us next?!!

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bryan27</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Oh, and now that you have this one done what are you going to build for us next?!!

</div></div>

this one is not quite done. i still have a couple days left on it. i am really thinking about fluting the barrel for the cdi factor. i have something in mind for the flutes that are a bit different from the standard. i may try out on the drop i cut off of the blank tomorrow. i also need to machine the recoil lug as it is a bit too tall to fit in the aics. of course i still need to spray the finish.

as far as the next project, it is going to be a while before i do anything for myself. i am not working lately and the near future isn't looking real good for work. when i do get back to work, i plan on re barreling my 300 win mag for a dedicated beyond 1k yard rifle. it is an hs precision htr but i am thinking about putting it in an aics and screwing on a 30" barrel so i can get the 210 berger vlds moving. right now, that is just wishful thinking.

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

here is a size comparison of the new rifle next to my 284 with a 27" barrel.

 

[grandslam]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

After I see it shoot Robert, I will put my order in.....

 

[BForhan]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

Wow, that looks sweet. You are inspiring many to build shops and learn machining.
Are you a machinist by trade? What do you figure you have wraped up in tools and eguiptment?
Wives of hide members from far and wide are going to hate you.

Brian

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: grandslam</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> After I see it shoot Robert, I will put my order in.....

</div></div>

maybe i'll bring it out for next month's long range match with the 1k yard cold bore shot

right now i am trying to decide if i want to flute the barrel and if so which style. i am thinking either (6) flutes with a 1/4" ballmill .125" deep, (6) flutes with a 1/4" endmill with a .045" corner radius .1" deep, or (10) flutes with a 3/16 ballmill .094" deep. they all will remove right about .4 pounds from the barrel.

 

[ukdave28]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

I would like to see a .308 barrel done like the scallops on the knights armament PDW

I am not sure if it would just look wrong.

 

[300sniper]

Re: compact 308 home shop build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ukdave28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would like to see a .308 barrel done like the scallops on the knights armament PDW

I am not sure if it would just look wrong.


</div></div>

you read my mind. ever since i first saw a picture of a kac pdw i wanted to do that to a barrel. i could just plunge a ball mill in a pattern on the barrel but i think that would look a bit cheesy. i would have to write a program to make a nice radius into the hole so there is not a sharp edge. i think it would look better with nice soft edges.



i torqued the barrel and muzzle brake down this morning. i am about to tune my trigger down a bit and hopefully put some rounds down range in a while. i need to hurry up and beat the rain.