Should I build my own precision rig?

Leg

Leg

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Ok, so I'm expecting a bit of back pay next month and I was thinking I need a precision bolt action. Here's the thing, even with the extra money I'm still not a rich man so I was thinking about building my own. I know, I know....It'll be more expensive in the long run...buy a Savage...etc...

Here's my thinking. I like to tinker so I'm willing and able to do the bulk of the work myself. While I've seen some very impressive looking rigs here and on other boards, I don't have over three grand to blow on a rifle in one go. I'm thinking that I'd like to build a rifle based on one of the 96 mauser commercial actions that are cheaply available. I'd rebarrel it with a 24-26" heavy barrel in 6.5x55 (it is a swedish rifle afterall) and plop the whole thing in a walnut Marksman stock from Richards microfit. It would vaguely resemble a scaled down PH M82.

So what do you think? Am I wasting my time? I realize that I'll have to buy some tools to true up the action and I'd probably have to get a smith to true the receiver face and set the shoulders on the barrel since I don't have a lathe, but those costs are relatively minor. I'd be parking the whole thing myself, as well as doing all of the stock work and bedding. I already have a Falcon 2.5-10x50 sitting around that would probably work well, possibly upgrade to the 4-14 FFP when it comes out. Anyway, now I'm starting to ramble.

So what are your thoughts and critiques?
 
Given the action and calibre you mention, why not just get one of the Swedish CG63s, put your scope on it, and use it as is?
The cost of a barrel, fitting, scope, stock (if you buy aftermarket) is basically the same, no matter what action you use. If you are going to build up a rifle, why not start with a bit more sophisticated action?
 
That is certainly an option. I may ultimately go that route in the end. However I was looking to put together something a little more polished looking.

I believe that the CG63's use a standard military action, the commercial ones have a slightly more rigid receiver because it has a high wall on the left side with no thumb cut.

With a CG63 I'd still need a lot of work done to the bolt to make it work with a scope. Ditto for the safety.

Aren't the barrels on the CG63 fairly skinny? Not sure of the contour but I think that it's fairly light. I'm looking for something a little heavier.

Did the Swedes do any kind of blueprinting with these actions?
 
while i dont know to muc habout the action in question i can give my 2 sense on builiding a precision rig on the cheap.

DSC00609.jpg

this is mine

built off a stevens 200 long action, wearing the *uber cheap* Choate USS, 28" pacnor custom bbl in .300 WM, tasco glass *i know but i gotta save some more $$ for the falcon menace LOL* weaver bases, burris signature rings with offset inserts for the extra MOA. all in i am around $1,200 right now and she prints .5 moa without any of the more fancy accurizing stuff like bedding, trueing and blueprinting. the beuty thiong aboput the savage/Stevens 200 action is the barrels can be installed by anyone with an action and barrel wrench and a set of headspace gauges* obviously they need to know how to headspace properly , but theres no need to lathe or machine for instalation
 
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The CG63s were set up for military style target shooting; don't know how much tuning went into the actions. Commercial Mauser receivers are theoretically more rigid without the charger cut, whether it makes a difference in accuracy, who knows? A commercial action would be superior from the standpoint of being ready for a scope.
I am just not sure that the lower price of a Mauser action is all that important in the long run. If a custom rifle is being built, it is the only part that is cheaper.
 
SignGuy, Nice rig, it's nice to see some guys doing their own work. You're right about the Stevens. It would probably be the easiest to work on from a rebarrelling point of view. Of course I don't think that I'd be allowed to do the work in the kitchen.

Why mauser? Why not? Just to be different, seems like everyone and their dog has a savage or remington. The action is cheap only in price, not quality. How many high dollar customs have been built on sporterized mauser actions?

Will it make a difference price wise in the long run? Maybe not. It does make it more feasible for me in the short term though. I can buy the parts I need as money becomes available, I fully expect the complete build to take me about a year or so.
 
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If you build it yourself you will have much more satisfaction, depending on where you get your action, bbl, and what comprimises you are willing to make you can get a very good rifle.

If you get a Savage and send it off for bedding and acurizing I am not sure you are much farther ahead $$ wise.
 
If you want true precision, go with a proper custom precision barrel, chambered by a pro. Unfortunately, the tinkering part is the domain of a proper gunsmith. The rest you can muck with incrementally. Your choice of cartridge is excellent, the action is great and the stock is excellent for the money.

Have fun!
 
I was speaking with Ted Gaillard from Gaillard custom barrels and he was telling me that the Remington action is the only non custom action that can be fixed to shoot top notch.
 
I have a rifle I made up which is much like the one you are comtemplating. Took a Parker Hale Mauser action, blasted it and had it blued, along with a military trigger guard unit, fitted a new old stock Schulz and Larsen .308 target barrel, and bedded the unit into a C3 type stock. One piece base on, Burris Signature rings, and a Redfield 6-18 scope with target knobs that I had on hand. Total cost was around $800. Shoots quite well. Apart from the hot bluing, which I detest, I did all the smithing. If I were doing it again, I would park. the action.
For precision rifle shoots, I expect the rifle would hold its own.
The PH action, from a salvaged rifle, was drilled and tapped, had a low scope bolt handle, and a commercial trigger unit.
 
yes and no, remmy has the most aftermarket items availble for upgrade, and they are readily available. Savages, (stevens), P14/M17's, parker hales can shoot just as well, if tuned up also.
Jusk ask our local expert here 'mysticplayer'. He can steer you in a good direction with valuble advice.
 
kell2784 said:
yes and no, remmy has the most aftermarket items availble for upgrade, and they are readily available. Savages, (stevens), P14/M17's, parker hales can shoot just as well, if tuned up also.
Jusk ask our local expert here 'mysticplayer'. He can steer you in a good direction with valuble advice.
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LOL in fact Mysticplayer's build was what made up my mind on the stevens action as a base for my build
 
I would buy a 700Short action for the bases of a build have shot both Remington and Savage the 700 is the beter action bar none of the two! Savages just feel cheap and sloppy like that girl we all knew in high school(fun to play with but not what you wanna take home to meet you mom)


Jamie
 
hawk223 said:
I was speaking with Ted Gaillard from Gaillard custom barrels and he was telling me that the Remington action is the only non custom action that can be fixed to shoot top notch.
Click to expand...

With all due repect to Ted - a barrel maker whom I respect a great deal - that's crap. I personally prefer remington actions, and most require some degree of truing for maximum accuracy, but there are precision rigs built of nearly every commercial action out there. Jerry (Mysticplayer) proves that remark to be completely unfounded and I know Jerry uses Ted's barrels too.
 
Obtunded said:
With all due repect to Ted - a barrel maker whom I respect a great deal - that's crap. I personally prefer remington actions, and most require some degree of truing for maximum accuracy, but there are precision rigs built of nearly every commercial action out there. Jerry (Mysticplayer) proves that remark to be completely unfounded and I know Jerry uses Ted's barrels too.
Click to expand...

I have to second this thought. I have seen several custom rifles built on Mauser, Winchester M70, Sako and Stevens actions that would shoot every bit as good as custom 700's I have seen and shot.
 
I should clarify my position too, I'm using Ted's tubes on my Rem 700 project. The only reason is because I have a lot of Rem add-on's and a Mcmilli A5 already sitting here. I believe that a Stevens can shoot just as well. It's proven.
 
For shear ease of stock fitting, selection, etc I would go with either an accurized Remington action or a Stevens/Savage. I know Mick McPhee has made many precision rifles on the Rem actions and I have seen some that shoot like there is no tomorrow after he has his way with them.
He accurized my XR100 action, but did not chamber my barrel as it was already chambered when I got it, and it shoots pretty damn good.
 
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If you are trying to duplicate an historical piece, sure go for it.

If you are trying to duplicate a modern function precision rifle, the 96 would not be my first choice for action.

I have had the pleasure of building rifles on Lee enfield, P Enfields, sporterised Mauser, Rems and Savages. I have helped on WBY's, Win's and M98's.

The big issue working with an older action is how strong is it? How much abuse did it see during its life? Can it handle the pressures I am planning on using?

the 96 is not considered a high pressure action, at least in what I perceive that to mean todays. Will it work with the 6.5X55, of course. But for a Swede loaded to load pressures of its day. That is pretty mild but very functional. Is that enough performance?

The labour for barrel installs, refinishing, bedding, parts costs for stocks, triggers, barrels, bases are pretty much the same no matter the action. So are you getting good value?

At the end of the day, there will be some that will poo poo a hot rod Honda no matter how fast it goes. For some, only a Porsche/BMW emblem matter.

You are the only one that has to live with this project as reselling will likely net a huge drop in value. Just look at my 300RUM LR project- barrel with install today is $600 and I am trying to sell the rifle for $700 with all sorts of tuning, parts and a nice stock.

If building a Swede Mauser floats your boat, fly at it. I would not expect very high accuracy nor velocities. The money spent will be equal to the Rem's and more then a Savage/Stevens.

I have enjoyed all of my custom and semi custom rifle projects. I have built stocks from scratch, mucked about with every aspect of the rifle except those that require a lathe or milling machine. It's an absolute hoot because I love to tinker. Performance more often then not was good, sometimes spectacular.

Sometimes the journey is an enormous part of the enjoyment of a project rifle. Considering that I have sold almost all of them, I guess the journey was more important then the final project.

I am always looking at what is over the next hill...

Jerry
 
If you don't already have a precision rig, a Rem 700P or LTR will easily have you shooting under .5MOA with a bit of bedding. Trigger work has been made easy with the newer style trigger and upgradeability is all there.
 
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