Building my first rifle.

[jgss2]

Hi everyone. I have been following this site for awhile and decided to register. There is alot of great info here. I am fairly new to long range shooting. I have 2 custom mcwhorter rifles. One in 270wby and another in 243wssm. I want another nice rifle in some form of 30 cal. but this time I have the urge to order the components and do the work myself. I have fooled around a little with single shot rifles like the TC encore but have not done any work on a bolt action rifle.
I was thinking of buying the action, barrel, stock, etc.. as well as the tools needed and putting the thing together at home. Is this something that a novice like me can do safely. Does anyone have any suggestions of any videos or books that I can pick up on this. I am fairly technically capable and am good with my hands. I just think I would get more satisfaction out of something that I had an input on.
I do not have a lathe so I would have to buy a chambered barrel. Any suggestions on barrel, action, stock, etc.. combos that would be good for a first time builder.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!!!
BOB

 

[rscott5028]

Without a lathe or a smith, you need to strongly consider a Savage. Look at this thread...
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/savage-12-f-class-rebarrel-67041/

I'm going through something similar and also wanting to buy a lathe at some point. But, Savage is the only way to go if you want to do it all yourself.

Also, you can buy just the action from Savage.

One aspect of the Savage that I don't hear much is that you're not removing any metal. So, if you get off a little, or don't like the results, just start again. Once you remove metal from a 700 or other action, it's near impossible to put it back like it was. So, measure 3 times and cut once.

Of course, you can go with TC Encore or Blaser and pretend that you're rebarelling, etc... But, that's no fun.

Good luck!
Richard

 

[liltank]

I have to agree with rscott. I just put together my first rifle, and it is a Savage action. Get the tools, headspacing gauges, and your in business. Then if you want to build your own stock, then you will need wood working tools, or knowledge of working with fiberglass. The Savage is the best route in my opinion for setting up your own rifle.

Tank

 

[joseph]

I had my Savage built by Kevin Rayhill of Stockade Gunstocks. He sells excellent composite stocks that you can glass bed yourself and finish the stock by sanding and painting it yourself like I did. He bedded mine, but I have done it to quite a few over the years.

Look at this and it will give you some pointers on how I did mine:

My new long range popgun. - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

Popguns stock is finished. - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

joseph

 

[rscott5028]

Very nice Joseph.

 

[liltank]

Not sure if you have seen mine yet, but here it is:

Tank

 

[jgss2]

Not sure if you have seen mine yet, but here it is:

Tank

Wow!! That is a sweet looking rig. Who should I contact for buying the action, barrel, and stock? Thanks for the help!!

 

[liltank]

That is a Bell & Carlson stock that I purchased off of Stockysstocks.com. The action can be a Stevens or a used Savage. The barrel is a Lothar Walther purchased from Lothar Walther manufacturing. Just google them and it will take you there. You may want to consider an unfinished stock from Stockade stocks. I got the barrel lug from Brownell's. It is a heavy comp. recoil lug made by SSS. I painted the stock my self. They didn't have the olive with black web like I wanted. I ended up getting the straight black and painting it myself. A buddy of mine is working on a flame pattern that he is going to airbrush into it.

Tank