Building a custom rifle

[linuxfreak003]

I'm sure the answers to my questions are probably somewhere else in the forums but I haven't been able to find them so I'll post them here. What I'm thinking of building is a 375 RUM (with some adjustments). After looking at the costs of buying a rifle and modifying it or just building one from the ground up - (comparing what I can get for how much and what I want to have), I am really leaning more towards building it. My main problem is finding where I can get an action. I was looking at Howa barreled actions, however I don't need the barrel, all it would be for me is one gigantic overpriced paperweight. But, I haven't found anywhere I can buy an action for less than around 800. I'm really wanting to find an action more around the 400 range or less if possible.
So mainly I'm trying to figure out:
Where can I buy a Howa action(non barreled)?
or
Where can I find a stock Rem 700 action?

with or without a trigger isn't so important (especially if it's cheaper without, then I will just get a timney trigger to put in it.)
I'm not necessarily partial to the Howa/Rem 700 actions either, I'm looking for something cheap that is at least around the same quality as those.
Hopefully someone can help me here, thanks in advance..
(also, any suggestions on where to get some of the other components.. (stock, barrel, etc) are welcome as well, the above mentioned is what i'm after though)

 

[Sully2]

Give these guys a call...
nwaw-1 because you can buy bare actions...to complete and tuned up actions for good prices

 

[sinarms]

Buy a used rifle....

You can pick up used Howa's for 2-300 all day long. You can get a used 700 El cheapo for a little more. Bolt face doesn't matter as PT&G makes bolts for both of them. Then have your smith true the action when installing a barrel. Get a Brux barrel, Mcmillan or Manners stock. Jewell trigger (or any aftermarket one that fits your needs). Which stock would depend on your goal for weight, looks, shape, etc.

 

[Edd]

Where can I find a stock Rem 700 action?

Brunos has new 700 actions in stock for $499 including trigger. Stainless are $529.

They also sell stocks and barrels.

 

[Doublezranch]

Check this thread out. There are a couple of very grounded 375 RUM guys talking about options for the 375 RUM. It might be helpful.


http://www.longrangehunting.com/for...ons-ideas-120771/?highlight=375+build+options

 

[linuxfreak003]

Thanks everyone, the links/resources are great! I may end up just getting something new and changing the barrel(I'm still juggling prices, I want to be ready, and pretty much decided when as I can afford it towards to beginning of next year though)

Doublezranch Check this thread out. There are a couple of very grounded 375 RUM guys talking about options for the 375 RUM. It might be helpful.


http://www.longrangehunting.com/foru...+build+options

Awesome thread. Thank you much for sharing.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I like Howa actions and just had 2 rifles built on Howa made actions, a Vanguard and S&W M1500.

That said, I would not build any RUM size chambers on a Howa action because they are a little on the short side. About a 1/4" shorter than the 700.

If it's in the budget, I would highly recommend a custom action over a 700. I alos did a build on a 700 and by the time I had it totally upgraded it wasn't to far from a custom in cost.

One more recommendation, if you're looking a 375 RUM you might consider a 375/338 LM Imp. Much better brass and a little more case capacity and a little shorter than the RUM case.

 

[linuxfreak003]

I like Howa actions and just had 2 rifles built on Howa made actions, a Vanguard and S&W M1500.

That said, I would not build any RUM size chambers on a Howa action because they are a little on the short side. About a 1/4" shorter than the 700.

If it's in the budget, I would highly recommend a custom action over a 700. I alos did a build on a 700 and by the time I had it totally upgraded it wasn't to far from a custom in cost.

One more recommendation, if you're looking a 375 RUM you might consider a 375/338 LM Imp. Much better brass and a little more case capacity and a little shorter than the RUM case.

I'm still juggling prices and so getting a custom action isn't completely off the table. I'm trying to do it all on a budget but I still want some quality equipment.
I would consider the 375/338 LM but I don't see much advantage over the RUM. Also if I go with the 375 Tejas I can use some of my father-in-law's brass while I am working on getting brass of my own.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I'm still juggling prices and so getting a custom action isn't completely off the table. I'm trying to do it all on a budget but I still want some quality equipment.
I would consider the 375/338 LM but I don't see much advantage over the RUM. Also if I go with the 375 Tejas I can use some of my father-in-law's brass while I am working on getting brass of my own.

The biggest advantage of the Lapua is the brass. It is wayyyyy better than Rem RUM brass and will last a lot longer. If i was going to do a Lapua anything, I would do an improved version. That will get you about 10% more capacity than the standard RUM. Not sure of the Tejas specs, but there is very little room for improving the RUM case and getting much more capacity. Another advantage of the Lapua is it is .130" shorter than the RUM which allows you to seat the longer bullets more efficiently.

If you can make it work in your budget, I HIGHLY recommend a custom action for theis build.

 

[Doublezranch]

The tejas capacity is maybe 2-3 grains more than the RUM. IMHO, not worth it. Mark is right, if your looking for options, building on a custom action is a must. My heart belongs to the RUMs so I am very bias. Bottom line is this......how much do you really want to spend to build and shoot it.

 

[Hired Gun]

This is how it starts. Just a couple bucks here and there and next thing you know your sporting a 375 Chey Tac, (a Stiller Tac 408 is only a little more than the Predator) Brass is the same as a Lapua, seems to be plentiful, no case forming. You can even buy factory made ammo.

If you are not game on the Chey Tac version I would seriously consider a plain old 338 Lapua.

A trued up $499 bare action is going to cost about the same or more than a Stiller. Stiller now has fully one piece bolts. No more knocking the handle off if you ever get a warm load. The M-16 extractor is better and it comes standard.

Even doing my own labor for everything the only way I would do a Remington for myself was if it was free. Uhhh............. I guess not really. I would still buy a custom action.

 

[linuxfreak003]

This is how it starts. Just a couple bucks here and there and next thing you know your sporting a 375 Chey Tac, (a Stiller Tac 408 is only a little more than the Predator) Brass is the same as a Lapua, seems to be plentiful, no case forming. You can even buy factory made ammo. .

I sure wouldn't mind having a 375 CheyTac. Although from what I've heard, they weigh more and would be a pain to carry around hunting and whatnot...

 

[Hired Gun]

A 375 CT should weigh about a pound more than a Lapua. A 375 Anything other than the little Ruger round is going to be a pretty good sized rig to keep from pounding the snot out of you.

A McMillan Super Mag stock and a regular barrel out to come in around 14-16.

 

[linuxfreak003]

I'm guessing I would probably need a custom action for a 375 CT?