Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

[Dynamic Response]

Hey guys. I'm thinking about building a bolt action rifle. I've never built one before so any advice is highly appreciated. What's all involved in putting one together? If I buy a surgeon action and bottom metal. Could I just slap a barrel on and fit the stock or is there a lot more to it?


Im thinking about a 300win mag. Surgeon action and bottom metal.

Barrel? Trigger? Open for suggestions.

I don't mind spending the $$. I just want to do it right and really want to do it myself if possible.

 

[billyburl2]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

Are you a gunsmith, or a machinist? Unless you are planning on running a Savage style barrel nut, you are going to need a lathe to set head-space.

 

[Temp9]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

If you want to do it yourself, go with a Savage. Like the above post says, most bolt guns require a lathe and reamer to set the headspace. A Savage barrel can be installed with just a vise, a barrel wrench, and a go-gauge.

 

[Copyleader]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

Barreling needs to be done by a gunsmith if you're going with a Surgeon Action, the life you save could be your own. You can read up on bedding/stock work, scope mounting, trigger work and try it yourself, but if you have the money, I would have a riflesmith do it to maximize the rifle's potential---you can do all the shooting yourself, that's the fun part anyway.

 

[Dynamic Response]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

No I'm not a gunsmith or machinist. I don't have a lathe or access to one. I am very good at building things and have a great eye for detail so I wanted to try to build a rifle and a 1911. I do a lot of shooting and teach others to shoot. So like I said I wanted to try this. I thought there was hand tools to set the headspace.


So basically You guys are saying I can do everything except the barrel. A surgeon action is already trued right? Just need to set the barrel and get the headspace.

So my next question is who is the best person/company to do the barrel.

 

[264Charlie]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

Yes, Surgeons don't require truing. If you need a someone to barrel your action you will find now better place than GA Precision.

 

[Dynamic Response]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

Thanks. I was just looking at GAPs website.

 

[Dynamic Response]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

I think Im going to get the action, stock and barrel and send it out to get installed.

What trigger and barrel do you suggest?

 

[tommyc279]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

Jewel triggers are hard to beat. I believe having the barrel reamed, crowned, chambered, and fitting is one of the most important process. Find the best guy in your area.

 

[JB02]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

For me, the barrel I choose has more to do with what's available; I don't really have the patience to wait 8-10 months. Southern Precision Rifles (aka Bugholes) sells several barrels from Krieger, Rock Creek, Brux, and Obermeyer. 6mmar.com and Grizzly.com have a few Bartleins in stock. In fact, this might suit your .300 Win Mag nicely:
http://www.6mmar.com/Barrels.php
Bartlein 30 Cal. (.299"-.308"), #14 (M24/M40/Rem Tactical)
contour, 1:10" twist, 5R rifled, 27" stainless steel blank $310 + shipping

I like Jewell triggers, but Timneys are nice too. For a stock, go for a Manners or McMillan. The Surgeon bottom metal is very nice.

RW Synder Gunsmithing added this feature to his website recently that I think does a pretty decent job summarizing all of the key facets of a precision bolt gun build:
https://www.rwsgunsmithing.com/catalog/premier-tactical-rifle/

If you are considering getting a Surgeon action, Surgeon Rifles will build a rifle for you as well: http://www.surgeonrifles.com/

I am very please with the .308 Winchester "Scalpel" they built for me. Took just under two months to have the rifle in hand after I gave Stephen my desired specs.

Enjoy!

 

[PharmShooter]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

Have it built for you by a good smith. GA Precision, Jon Beanland, etc. Be ready for a wait though.

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: Want to build a rifle. Little help please.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PharmShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have it built for you by a good smith. GA Precision, Jon Beanland, etc. Be ready for a wait though. </div></div>

Ahh, yes. Waiting. That is the hard part.