Author Topic: what action for a costom gun (Read 1680 times)

mitchell · « **on:** February 24, 2004, 11:30:09 AM »

my question is what action do you guys prefer for you costum projects ? i'm in need of a new good gun , i'm starting to ground hog hunt a lot more and more these days and i need something that can reach out to 800 or so with reliability. i think , from my reading , mauser 98 and remington 700 are the best , but i'm trying to keep this as cheap as i can ($600 or so) , so i have also look at mauser 48's and savage 110's. from what i've seen the 48 sounds like a good action to build it one and a cheap atcion but i would have to get a mil serplus. which don't bother me so long as it works , but i have no exspeance with that so i would need a lot of help. so what do you think my answer is ? which action would be the best ? i need cheap and good so what do you think and why if you don't mind? oh yeah i forgot to say that i want it in 308win. just for your imfo. thank guys.

Catfish · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2004, 12:07:38 PM »

I`ve got or have had in the past rifles built on about every commerical action and a whole lot of military actions, and they all work. Some are definately better than others though. If your want a round with the .473 bolt face the best for the money, in my oppenion, action on the market at this time is probibly the VZ-24 as action. This is a 98 Mauser action and you can pick up the whole gun for well under $100 depending on where you are. You don`t need a real nice one, you just need one with a good action. I bought a nice 8mm VZ-24 awhile back but haven`t made up my mind what to do with it yet. This is the way to go for a .22-250, .220 Swift ect. If your wnating a wildcat like the .22-284 you would do better to go with an Enfield, or some thing chambered in the .303. That or a Russian chambered in 7.62 x 54 R. One thing to rember about these old military rifles is that they don`t have the best triggers and if your real fussy about a 2oz. trigger you might find an old commerical rifle cheaper than the mil. and the trigger job. Start hitting some gun shows in your area and see what`s out there.

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2004, 05:11:56 AM »

mitchell: forget the project - for what you want, just get yourself an excellent condition Yugo M48A Mauser in 8mm.

You said you wanted to build a custom rifle for under $600, and ya wanted it in 308 (not another one.......). OK: an 'unissued 48A might go ya $175 and change. Bold trigger with safety, cut and replace bolt handle, tap for scope mounts - another buck or so. Leave the military stock on and bed the action and you should have an 8mm that will compete with 308s on the long range line.

Either the Yugo Mauser or a Swede in 6.5x55. Either will either outshoot or shoot on par with a custome 308 but from my perspective both will out perform the 308. I kin gay-run-tee ya that if you go with the 6.5 Swede, you won't want a 308. If ya go the 8mm route and find that you get tired of the 8mm down the road (20-30 yrs), you can always rebarrel it to 308 but, the 8mm doesn't give up anything to the 308, not a bit.

Save your $ and go milsurp - you would be absolutely surprised as to how well they really shoot. HTH. Mikey.

Fla Brian · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2004, 07:54:55 AM »

Mitchell,

I've got to agree with Mikey. There's no way you can build a custom Mauser .308 for $600, starting with a mil-surp 8mm. Just the cost of rebarreling with a decent tube would make the project unfeasable at the given price.

I would stick with the 8mm as he said, but I would opt for an inexpensive drop-in stock like a RamLine to save weight. (Of course, with some rasps, files and sandpaper you can come up with a pretty decent sporting stock from the military one. They call it "sweat equity.") And, with practice, you can get used to the military triggers. I have done so. Saves a chunk of money as well.

My own 8mm sporters, so configured, are more powerful than any .308 with the proper handloads, and, if more power is wanted, one can simply ream out the chamber to 8mm-06. Or, even better, go for the Improved version.

In any event, good luck with your project. Happy shooting.

Catfish · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2004, 09:45:36 AM »

I built a .410 to hunt with here in Ohio for less than $600, without the scope. I used an M-44 Russian action, Douglus premium barrel in .411 bore, a Ram-line stock, had scope mounts put on it and the bolt handle turned down. Total cost around $525 so with a cheap scope it would be under $600, but I put a Leupold on it.

mitchell · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2004, 11:54:43 AM »

well i realy prefere 308win. for a few reasons . one being ther are a lot more 308 caliber bullets made for long range then there are 323 . two i've never even shot a 8mm and i alraedy know the 308 can preform that the ranges i'm talking about .

i don't really want to start a debate i just need advise . i need a gun of my own that can reach out and touch . i don't have to have 1 inch at 1000 although 4 at 800 would be about right (1/2 moa) if your saying i cann't get what i want for under 1000 then i'll just go get a savage tatical and save time . but i really don't want that i would like to make it my self . its almost like handloading you had a big part in why that rifle shoots the way it does.

from what i've seen it can be done for $600 (not talking about scope probily spend that much on scpoe too). so from those of you who have done it please tell me which action you like and anything eles you think can help me . i've never built one before. i'm kinda think more about mauser 48 or vz-24 . but still don't know.

also what barrel manufactuer do you guys like ? remember cheap is good but i need something that can prefore. thank you gentelmen

257AI · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2004, 05:53:01 PM »

Kind of been thinking about the same thing. FAC is offering a Boyd target stock and a fluted stainless barrel for 170.00. It is short chambered so you would need to have someone install it. Midway has a Bold trigger with side safety for about 35.00. I can do the rest myself but not everyone else can. Check out the Shaw site http://www.ershawbarrels
Stainless barrel 200. install 60.00 true action face 25.00, drill and tap 35.00, forge bolt 40.00. With trigger should be 395.00 plus your action. I have always liked the BRNO actions and have build several on the VZ24. Am now planning on building one on the BRNO 98/22 action. You should be able to pick one up for 100. or less. total now 495.00/ go to Boyd riflestock site and get a laminated target stock for 100 or less, total now 595.00 still should have the action glass bedded into the stock for the best acurracy but you are still close to the 600 mark.

257 Rock · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2004, 07:49:05 AM »

Mitchell Why don't you look at the CZ line of rifles. They make a 308 with heavy barrel the shoot very well. My brother in law just bought one he shoots out to 600 yds. Fellow on action arms or gun broker sells them in your price range. You might ever have some money left over for a scope. The scope mounts are included. Do a search people that have them really seem to like them. Will probly be what my next rifle will be. They use a mauser 98 type action. Than you can just go shooting not have to spent part of your summer building the gun. Good luck in what you do. Tony

tscott · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2004, 02:28:46 PM »

Lightning 1500 barreled action = www.legacysports.com
Ramline stock = www.ramlinestocks.com

You can tweak the rest... Total = less than $450

jeff · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2004, 07:00:03 PM »

And what is wrong with a Remington 700 VLS? 26" heavy barrel, a trigger that can be worked and a pretty darn good stock. The alternative is a Savage laminated with SS fluted barrel and the new accu-trigger. Both rifles will shoot.

Buy either of the above new for about $600 and forget the rest of that mess.

If you go the mil-surp route your costs after the rifle/action will run beyond your financial threshold. Barrel replacement will cost a minimum of $400 for a quality tube chambered and installed. A decent trigger will run $100+ and a quality stock isn't going to be cheap either $150+. Drilling and tapping for scope mounts and possibly reworking the bolt handle will cost additional bucks too! Finally, don't forget the scheduling or waiting factor unless you can do all of the work yourself. Now some folks might think of the less expensive barrels and stocks. The less expensive is plenty good for general purpose activity 100-200 yard activities. If you are serious about really long range shooting you will need quality components. In my opinion, Shaw and A&B produce good quality, low cost barrels, they do not produce the quality needed for competitive extreme long range rifles.

Remember that mil-surp is what survived and it is used equipment with an uncertain history. Also, understand that a rack guns do not typically provide MOA levels of performance. More typically, they provide 2-3 MOA if you are lucky.

Since it is your money, you only need to please yourself.

jeff

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2004, 08:48:38 PM »

mitchell,
I'll vote with 257 Rock on the CZ. It has a Mauser action with the mounts built into the action. It has a heavy barrel with a target style laminated stock. So far the ones that I have seen are very accurate. Also, they come standard with a single set trigger that is adjustable. I think that the CZ will meet your price, or be very close to what you want to pay. In the end you will have an excellent shooting rifle that will hold it's value. :wink:
Good luck on your project.
Later,
TnNuc