First Build Questions

[Antler24]

Ill start off by saying I've never done any work to a firearm before, other than cleaning.
I had planned to buy a Tikka T3 Tactical this year for coyote hunting, but figure I can build a superior rifle for the same amount of money.
I want a 22-250 (biggest we can use for coyote), and most hunting will be done in 400yds or less, but I want to use it for target shooting up to 1000yds. I figure I can buy an action, barrel, and stock and put it together myself. Is this a wise idea for someone with zero gunsmithing experience?
I also have some more in depth questions about the build, but I'll do as much research as I can first, I'd just like to know I won't be getting in over my head trying to build a rifle, and end up with a bunch of parts in the closet.

 

[SBruce]

I've heard tale of alot o folks (that don't have machine shop or lathe skills) who have built their own rifles off of savage actions.

 

[Antler24]

That's what I need, something where I can buy the parts and put them all together myself, no lathing or machine work.

 

[J E Custom]

I've heard tale of alot o folks (that don't have machine shop or lathe skills) who have built their own rifles off of savage actions.

Very good advice !!!!!

Read everything you can, buy a head space gauge for your build and check and re check
everything.

If your not sure and have a gunsmith near ask him to check head space for you. (Very cheep insurance).

Test fire from a safe distance (Tie the rifle down and use a cord 20 to 30 ft away) to start with,
use factory loads .

Have fun and be carefull.

J E CUSTOM

 

[rscott5028]

Savage is your best bet based on what you stated.

There will be some trial and error. It'll cost a little more money. And, the results won't necessarily be any better than buying a factory Savage in the desired configuration.

You just need to decide if you're in it for the adventure or the destination.

-- richard

 

[Antler24]

Savage is your best bet based on what you stated.

There will be some trial and error. It'll cost a little more money. And, the results won't necessarily be any better than buying a factory Savage in the desired configuration.

You just need to decide if you're in it for the adventure or the destination.

-- richard

I do enjoy the fun of putting something together myself, but if I'm going to end up with a rifle that's no better than a factory savage I'll probably just buy the tikka. I don't want to put that much time/money into it and up with savage axis.

 

[J E Custom]

I do enjoy the fun of putting something together myself, but if I'm going to end up with a rifle that's no better than a factory savage I'll probably just buy the tikka. I don't want to put that much time/money into it and up with savage axis.

It should be better than a factory rifle because of the truing,lapping, trigger and a custom barrel
with a good chamber and stock.

Plus a proper bedding and a good head space, should all add up to a good rifle and a lot more
experance and knowledge of what it takes to make an accurate rifle.

Most Gunsmiths started just trying to accurize factory rifles and learned the in's and out's
of many different rifles before starting to build rifles from scratch.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Antler24]

It should be better than a factory rifle because of the truing,lapping, trigger and a custom barrel
with a good chamber and stock.

Plus a proper bedding and a good head space, should all add up to a good rifle and a lot more
experance and knowledge of what it takes to make an accurate rifle.

Most Gunsmiths started just trying to accurize factory rifles and learned the in's and out's
of many different rifles before starting to build rifles from scratch.

J E CUSTOM

Thanks a lot!

 

[rscott5028]

I do believe there is value in learning to accurize factory rifles. But, true custom rifles built by qualified smiths are not just a bunch of components screwed together.

I responded to Antler's pm, but thought it might be worth posting...

JMHO FWIW...

Sorry. I didn't mean to sound negative.

Savage makes many different models with varying price tags. I believe you can even custom order to your liking.

Some models have cheapo stocks and some are actually pretty good.

Many claim to get custom rifle accuracy with their off-the-shelf Savages. ...though Savage doesn't guarantee specific accuracy that I know of and all of the high volume producers turn out hummers and a few lemons.

Removing one barrel from a factory action and sticking another pre-threaded and pre-chambered barrel on the same unmodified action isn't necessarily going to improve anything.

Good after-market barrels often may or may not shoot tighter groups. The main advantages are often holding accuracy for long shot strings (20 or more) and easier cleanup.

As such, you can spend a lot on customizing and have no real gain in accuracy.

But, there is satisfaction in building your rifle to suit yourself.

The great news with Savage is you can do this yourself with relatively few tools and a bit of research and care. However, there's no particular advantage/disadvantage for a smith who guarantees performance since he's going to chuck it all up in a lathe and true/blueprint the whole thing anyways to ensure the desired end result.

The rifle is just a small part of a long range shooting system. Optics, reloading tools, range finders, etc... and of course, practice... all add up.

Hope this helps.
-- richard

 

[Antler24]

Thanks for the PM and replies. I understand the point your trying to make and I agree to that.

I'm not trying to put together a rifle that will compete with a $5000 rig in competitions. I really liked the Tikka T3 TAC in .223. I would rather 22-250 over .223 for coyote hunting but that rifle is only made in .223 and .308 and is $1800.

That got me thinking that if I can do some research I can put together a rifle myself. Instead of spending $2k to buy and ship (rare gun here) I'd buy the pieces and put ons together for around the same cost, I'd get the caliber I wanted and hopefully it's a superior shooter.

 

[1SevenZero]

I did exactly what you are talking about. I had a Savage chambered in .308 Win. and wanted to build a hunting/target rifle.

After a ton of research and brain picking from people way more knowledgable than I, I decided to go for it. I ended up purchasing a Shilen drop in chromoly match grade barrel with a heavy varmint contour. A bell and carlson medalist stock and I used bedrock glass bedding.

The barrel I had installed by a gunsmith, because It was cheaper than buying the gauges and tools to do it myself. Also, as long as the barrel will last I won't be using the tools often enough to want/need to own the tools.

Fitting the stock took a dremel and a few hours of my time. The most time consuming portion was preping the action and stock for the bedding.

So far the rifle has been consistently shooting between quarter and half moa. It has been very rewarding and an eye opening experience. So if you are mechanically inclined I say go for it.

 

[Antler24]

Thanks 1SevenZero!

I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but never worked on a firearm before. The only part of this that makes me nervous is bedding. I have a 22 mag I may bed in the meantime for practice. Feel free to PM a few pics of your .308, mind sharing who makes your "drop in" barrel?

 

[J E Custom]

I do believe there is value in learning to accurize factory rifles. But, true custom rifles built by qualified smiths are not just a bunch of components screwed together.


+1

Becoming a good gunsmith takes Time, patients,training,skill,attention to detail and a thorough
understanding of cause and effects in able to produce a quality fire arm.

Factory rifles are the most difficult to diagnose and fix because of the parts quality they have.

Almost without exception there parts are not perfict and machining is also not perfict so you
have to find the problem before you can fix it. Swapping parts is not the way to eliminate the
problems.

I would not recomend building a rifle from scratch the first time without this understanding first.
Hence the reason for starting with a savage pre build and using top quality parts.

I personally don't like pre built/chambered barrels but good ones can be found.

If every part is checked for trueness,squareness,fit and finish most problems can be fixed before
assembly and the outcome will be better.

Every Gun Smith started somewhere and grew to there level of competence/acceptance and
some have never stopped learning/improving because of there standards.

Start slow and grow

J E CUSTOM

 

[rscott5028]

There are tons of articles, you tube videos, and DVDs that show how to bed a rifle.

This one is pretty good if you want to go all out... Stress-Free Pillar Bedding

-- richard