Possible to DIY build a precision bolt gun?

[jeffpatton00]

I've built a couple of semi-auto rifles, they're so modular that it's pretty easy to do so successfully. Is it similarly possible to build a bolt-action precision rifle? I had a custom AR upper built with a 30" Bartlein 5R progressive twist (6.5) barrel in 224 Valkyrie. I load close to the lands so the rounds are long and don't feed through a magazine, and I now think I should have had it built in a bolt action rifle. Is it reasonably possible for a mechanically-capable shooter to build a bolt gun? I know things like truing the bolt face would need to be done by a smith with the knowledge & equipment, but can a shooter normally select compatible parts and assemble the rifle successfully ?
Jeff

 

[Kadams1563]

Foundation stock
Impact action
Pre fit barrel

Screw all together and BAM you assembled your precision bolt gun.

 

[Supersubes]

What he said ^.

Just buy a custom action like a bighorn origin, or the impact(or a handful of others) so you’ll have easy access to prefit barrels.

As soon as you start truing up an action you lose the ability to use prefits, and the cost savings that go along with them.

 

[Steel head]

Assembled all the pieces myself, has been excellent out to 1.5 miles.
Personlly I wouldn’t bother trueing up a factory action unless it absolutely needed it and then I’d just consider a custom action.

 

[Jabot]

I ve done 2 of them .if I can do anyone can
Both on bighorn orgin actions. One a shoulderd barrel, the other has a barrel nut .the shoulderd ond is easier, but the barrel nut is not bad either

 

[Mike Casselton]

Foundation stock
Impact action
Pre fit barrel

Screw all together and BAM you assembled your precision bolt gun.

He might want a trigger too.

 

[hereinaz]

This is like a recurring thread...

Do it. Bolt actions are easier than an AR...

 

[hellishot]

What are the common pitfalls when it comes to building a bolt gun?

 

[Jabot]

What are the common pitfalls when it comes to building a bolt gun?

Only thing I can think of is the wait time on the stuff u order. If u are going to use a composite stock like ax manners, it could take 6 months to get your stock. Barrel could be the same 6-8 week. Other accessories r pretty easy to acquire just order and they ship. If was going to use a traditional stock and didn't want to wait I would buy of the px on this site

 

[Overclok79]

The even cheaper route to a shoulder prefit barrel is a savage prefit barrel. You will need to buy headspace gauges. But it is not much harder than assembling an AR-15 and you can easily have a barrel action together in under an hour. Northland Shooter Supply shocks Big Horn actions and KRG chassis are usually in stock. I don't see why you could have all the parts and tools needed to build yourself a custom rig shipped to you within a week.

 

[OyVey]

Foundation stock
Impact action
Pre fit barrel

Screw all together and BAM you assembled your precision bolt gun.

Serious question. If my dumbass can buy an impact, a prefit, and a stock and DIY, why do people need gunsmiths anymore? I see stories on social media of renowned smiths and their "builds" that are "hammers". What are they doing different that it worth it to pay a gunsmith extra money and the hassle of shipping all the parts out if I can DIY at home? AFAIK, stocks/chassis don't need bedding anymore. The actions don't need truing. With a barrel vise and torque wrench, the impact becomes do-all with switch barrel. I'm not seeing any good reason to set foot outside to deal with any gunsmiths.

 

[Supersubes]

Serious question. If my dumbass can buy an impact, a prefit, and a stock and DIY, why do people need gunsmiths anymore? I see stories on social media of renowned smiths and their "builds" that are "hammers". What are they doing different that it worth it to pay a gunsmith extra money and the hassle of shipping all the parts out if I can DIY at home? AFAIK, stocks/chassis don't need bedding anymore. The actions don't need truing. With a barrel vise and torque wrench, the impact becomes do-all with switch barrel. I'm not seeing any good reason to set foot outside to deal with any gunsmiths.

The standard person doesn’t need a gunsmith. Said another way, the gunsmith that previously needed your gun, doesn’t anymore, and can just send you the parts. Now if you need something off the beaten path, Or you need to barrel a receiver that’s been altered, you’re still going to need custom work.

Edit: There are obviously some other operation that need a pro. Not everyone wants a chassis. Bedding, Inletting, alterations to existing parts in general like muzzle threading, or swapping to DBM bottom metal etc.

 

[hereinaz]

Its still not always plug and play, 100% of the time.

Some people should never try any DIY.

 

[SniperWolf6mm]

Or if you're on a tight budget like me, get a ruger american (one of the best bang for your buck bolt actions available), swap in a prefit, drop it in a chassis, and profit:

...and yes that's a Proof Research prefit barrel for a Ruger Precision on there

Also, you can easily swap stuff back if you ever want to use the factory barrel/stock for a lightweight hunting setup

 

[Bantam1]

If you are good with tools and understand how everything is supposed to work, it isn't too hard. Get a good barrel from one of the many good places making prefit barrels. Use good components and buy good tools. Pick your stock or chassis of choice and move on.

 

[King_beardsly]

I’ve built up two rigs from bare actions and it’s been a blast doing the build since you get to essentially play adult legos. If you’ve got a good understanding of hand tools and basic mechanical aptitude you’re golden.

 

[slothlacrosse]

Serious question. If my dumbass can buy an impact, a prefit, and a stock and DIY, why do people need gunsmiths anymore? I see stories on social media of renowned smiths and their "builds" that are "hammers". What are they doing different that it worth it to pay a gunsmith extra money and the hassle of shipping all the parts out if I can DIY at home? AFAIK, stocks/chassis don't need bedding anymore. The actions don't need truing. With a barrel vise and torque wrench, the impact becomes do-all with switch barrel. I'm not seeing any good reason to set foot outside to deal with any gunsmiths.

It's the same reasons people buy factory gas guns. I won't say all, but a lot of custom and factory rifles come with an accuracy guarantee and/or a warranty. Some people don't want to be their own customer support and repair shop.

 

[The D]

What are the common pitfalls when it comes to building a bolt gun?

One thing that pops to mind is trigger fitment. You may need a little work on the trigger to get it to feel 100%

 

[Boltyboi]

One thing that pops to mind is trigger fitment. You may need a little work on the trigger to get it to feel 100%

That and divorce, bankruptcy, repos...

 

[King_beardsly]

That and divorce, bankruptcy, repos...

That’s why you shouldn’t fall down the rabbit hole know as precision rifle builds, but if you’re hear it might almost be to late.

 

[SniperWolf6mm]

That and divorce

PO Box...trust me on this.

P. O. Box.

and keep all your rifles black. That way they can't tell the difference.
her: "have you always had <insert arbitrary number> rifles?"
me: ...yeah, why?
her: "OH that one looks different"
me: "I just swapped the handguard"

 

[Boltyboi]

PO Box...trust me on this.

P. O. Box.

and keep all your rifles black. That way they can't tell the difference.
her: "have you always had <insert arbitrary number> rifles?"
me: ...yeah, why?
her: "OH that one looks different"
me: "I just swapped the handguard"

Using a lack of camouflage as camouflage. I like it.

 

[SniperWolf6mm]

Using a lack of camouflage as camouflage. I like it.

HAH! Totally

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

My wife just now figured out I have multiple rifles....they are all black and never all been in the same room at the same time until recently .

She asked how long I had them....i said a long time. She don't care anyway but it was funny she thought all my rifles we the same one.

VooDoo

 

[MakeSawdust]

My wife shoots with me. She knows the difference, but is probably way more hooked on gear than me. All the stuff I was holding off on buying to pinch pennies is now in my wife's shooting bag. The kids are in on it now too. I feel pretty blessed to get to shoot matches as a family activity and not have everyone be pissed that it cuts into family time. On the other hand, I could have developed a cocaine habit, and I doubt it would be any more expensive.

Back to the topic at hand. All my rifles are Lego rifles. There can be issues, but they are usually pretty easy to solve if you can half-assed fix the issues that crop up with your car/house you can probably troubleshoot guns as well if you are patient. In most instances trigger fitment issues are being addressed with different size cocking pieces from action companies. I have also addressed them with (blasphemy) a small bastard file. Having a little cock on close isn't the end of the world, but if the cocking piece drags the top sear so bad you get light strikes you really have no choice but to correct it or try a different trigger.

 

[hdbull]

I had to laugh when I seen, "keep all the rifles black". Years ago my wife knew I had 1 AR and she observed me in the safe one day and seen several ARs. She asked "where did all those come from?" I said, it's the darnest thing, every time I open the safe their like rabbits and multiply. After the gun safes multiplied to 3 she no longer even cares.