Rifle Build
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 516
Rifle Build
I am having trouble finding a rifle I want. What would be the ball park in building a bolt action rifle? I'm interested in a 270 with a bull barrel. Sort of like the Tikka T3 Varmint gun. Or is there a rifle like this on the market. From what I read the Varmint from Tikka is no longer imported.
#2
I would start with a donor 700 action (app. $350), buy a good barrel (app. $400-$500 http://www.shilen.com/pricesRifleBarrels.html), buy a good stock (app. $350 http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet...-700-HS/Detail), and pay a smith to true the action, adjust the trigger, and screw on the barrel. You can get a pre-chambered barrel or have your smith use his own reamer.
This would get you a rifle that should be much better than a factory rig for somewhere in the $1,500 range.
This would get you a rifle that should be much better than a factory rig for somewhere in the $1,500 range.
Last edited by Big Uncle; 03-24-2014 at 12:44 PM.
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Eastern wv
Posts: 3,646
I would start with a donor 700 action (app. $350), buy a good barrel (app. $400-$500 http://www.shilen.com/pricesRifleBarrels.html), buy a good stock (app. $350 http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet...-700-HS/Detail), and pay a smith to true the action, adjust the trigger, and screw on the barrel. You can get a pre-chambered barrel or have your smith use his own reamer.
This would get you a rifle that should be much better than a factory rig for somewhere in the $1,500 range.
This would get you a rifle that should be much better than a factory rig for somewhere in the $1,500 range.
RR
#4
But yeah, before optics, using a donor action, you should comfortably be able to get into a donor action, cheap stock, and reasonable barrel, then have it all put together for around $1500.
But, to be honest, if I were going that route (and I have), I'd consider one of two options:
Using a donor action, I would start on a Savage action so I could forego the cost of having a gunsmith do the installation of the barrel and stock. This is my prefered method for hunting rifles these days. Finish inletting and bedding a stock isn't rocket science, and installing and headspacing Shilen drop in barrels for the Savage are almost too easy. Set of go/no-go gauges and a barrel nut wrench and you're golden.
Using a 700 pattern action, I'd bite the bullet and spend an extra $700-800 on a custom action rather than building on the donor. Starting with a factory action, you'll always want to do something new, truing faces, sleeving for concentricity, heavier recoil lug, etc etc etc... By the time you have a 700 action trued, you've spent more than a custom action. A 700 pattern like the Stiller Predator can still be had for around $1200, basically a turn-key solution for a trued and blueprinted 700 action, and will bolt into the same 700 stocks and barrel patterns as any other 700.
Or, for a whole lot cheaper than any of that, just buy ANY .270win (or .30-06, or .25-06, or any other long action '06 bolt face action) stainless rifle and have a new barrel installed. $400-500ish for the new barrel installed, and you get to sell the take off barrel to recoup some value.
#5
If anyone wants to eliminate the BS artists they might want to talk to some of the local competitive benchrest shooters.
#6
I guess I should say, I get the point of giving new guys a chance to develop their craft also, but man, it sucks spending money to be part of a new gunsmith's learning curve!
Definitely have to find a guy experienced with building bolt guns. I used a local, very experienced smith in the late 1990's to rebarrel a spanish mauser, the old shot out barrel shot better than the new one! Then I found out later his specialty was 1911's. If your local bench rest club doesn't have a local smith they recommend, it's well worth the money sending them out.
Definitely have to find a guy experienced with building bolt guns. I used a local, very experienced smith in the late 1990's to rebarrel a spanish mauser, the old shot out barrel shot better than the new one! Then I found out later his specialty was 1911's. If your local bench rest club doesn't have a local smith they recommend, it's well worth the money sending them out.
#7
Spike
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: remsen,n.y. u.s
Posts: 49
If you have a Dicks Sporting goods store near you why don't you just buy a varmint version of your favorite.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sh...VarmintRifles3
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sh...VarmintRifles3
#8
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 516
Where would I look into buying or finding the actions? I think I will most likely go with Savage as I am familiar with them somewhat and My brother has around 4 or 5 Savage rifles. @Rich - I am trying to find a 270 in Varmint or Heavy Bull barrel. They are not common and the largest caliber usually made is 308 at least that I could find. I really don't want a .308.
#9
Steven's 200 also share the same pattern as the Savage 11/111, so be on the look out for those as well.
A NEW Stevens, last I knew, could be had for $300ish or that or less for a USED accutrigger model, then a Shilen drop in barrel for just under $300. You could pay a local smith to install that barrel for $100, or pay around $150-175 for a barrel nut wrench and set of go/no-go gauges and do it yourself.
#10
Internet advice is worth no more than you pay for it. I would discuss this with the chosen (flesh and blood) smith before spending a dime on donor actions, stocks, triggers, and barrels.
Although they are worth it to the original owner, you will take a beating if you ever sell any custom or semi-custom rifle.
To each his own, and no offense meant, but I don't think I would put money into a Savage. Some Savages shoot very well - and it is mostly due to having a pretty good factory barrel. I don't know how much improvement you will get by replacing the best part of the rifle.
Although they are worth it to the original owner, you will take a beating if you ever sell any custom or semi-custom rifle.
To each his own, and no offense meant, but I don't think I would put money into a Savage. Some Savages shoot very well - and it is mostly due to having a pretty good factory barrel. I don't know how much improvement you will get by replacing the best part of the rifle.