Rifle Build.....

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milsy12

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Any information is appreciated in advance,

I've been kicking around this idea for a little bit and really don't have a clue where to start!

I want to build a rifle for myself. Likely more of a hunting rifle, but would also like to use at the range. I currently own a .222 Remington 788. I like the rifle, the caliber, and its deadly accurate (for now). I don't know when this one will get shot out, or if it will, but this may be a caliber I would consider (among a couple others). I would likely stay in the "popular" calibers category.... (not a wildcat or something extraordinary)

Where do I start? I like the books out a Boyds pro varmint stock...... What about getting an action? Can I simply order whatever I wish from a shop or gunsmith (tikka/sako/Remington) and get a barrel smithed for me? Where do I get the barrel? Etc? Sorry for the run on but this topic intrigues me and I really don't know where to start!

Again thanks in advance. If you'd rather pm I will try to check those frequently as well
 
milsy12 said:
Any information is appreciated in advance,

I've been kicking around this idea for a little bit and really don't have a clue where to start!

I want to build a rifle for myself. Likely more of a hunting rifle, but would also like to use at the range. I currently own a .222 Remington 788. I like the rifle, the caliber, and its deadly accurate (for now). I don't know when this one will get shot out, or if it will, but this may be a caliber I would consider (among a couple others). I would likely stay in the "popular" calibers category.... (not a wildcat or something extraordinary)

Where do I start? I like the books out a Boyds pro varmint stock...... What about getting an action? Can I simply order whatever I wish from a shop or gunsmith (tikka/sako/Remington) and get a barrel smithed for me? Where do I get the barrel? Etc? Sorry for the run on but this topic intrigues me and I really don't know where to start!

Again thanks in advance. If you'd rather pm I will try to check those frequently as well
Click to expand...

Building a rifle is one of the funnest things in this hobby you can do. You get to pick and choose every component you want to fit you and your purpose for the rifle.

My first word of advice is to figure out a budget. This can get out of hand fast if you don't be careful.

From there, decide on a use for the rifle and design from there. You can order parts (action, barrel, trigger, stock) from someone like Gary at Bighorn Sales or you could get a gunsmith to source all the components and put it together for you. I used Insite arms in Lloydminster. They sourced everything for me, helped me with every question I had and they did the build for me.

You can PM myself if you have any questions, but there are definitely guys on here that have more experience in this than me.
 
talk to gary at bighorn sales, he sells every thing from actions to triggers to barrels and brakes and can put together a complete build for you from more budget friendly to top shelf. once you have that just google "stock for ### action" and find somthing you like.. all the big brand actions have huge selection, gary can also help with this

there is lots of dealers and suppliers here , i cant say iv dealt with all of them, because i havent but gary has always gone above and beyond for me from almost immediate email replies to calling me on sunday evening to confirm details of my orders

this would be the most straight forward way, it will save a lot of needless searching and time "wasted"

that said, while you wait for parts dont stop reading and learning!
 
Gary is very good to deal with...
If you source all your parts at the best prices you can get, the gunsmithing labour is the absolute least of it all...

The cheapest way to have a semi custom is to have a used rifle you own, rebarreled and restocked.
 
this is just a shameless plug for Dennis (guntech) as a smith to do the work, im lucky enough to be with in driving distance, but he has done every thing from tune factory triggers for me, to (if memory serves me) 5 full builds and the work is top notch . Quality parts put together by a quality smith and you wont be disappointed
 
Start with a clearly defined set of goals. Whats your use, accuracy needs, what kind of weight can you deal with? The use will pick the bullet; and use and bullet will pick the velocity which will narrow down the cartridge. Once you have the bullet and cartridge you have a COL, and with that you can plan for mag box length and throating which may or may not involve buying a reamer. What you're after in a combination that will reach the lands with your chosen bullets while still giving you a repeater. Doesnt mean you have to seat them there but you're giving up some of your bets if you can't. Having something that that can reach, fit and work doesnt take much planning but apparrently more than half of the factories did. Don't bet on the gunsmith doing your thinking for you either but he might. That gets you halfway to picking your action. Chances are if you want it to shoot it has been heavily influenced by a remington. Could be one tbe gunsmith finished, or better one that the action maker finished building in the first place. Choose well because what you pick is what its going to stay. Everything else is changable. From there tbe bullet and velocity is going to pick your rifling twist, and weight is going to dictate length and profile.Brand may not matter much. You need the profile to order your stock, and use and fit will pick that. Bottom metal and triggers are almost afterthoughts, but bear in mind that you'll get what you pay for there.

The wrong barrel costs the same as the right barrel. The appropriate stock
Costs the same as an inappropriate one. Theres plently of gunsmiths that can put your parts together without messing it up.
 
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do a lot of thinking prior to a build. if its not what you want when its done you are unlikely to get your money back if you sell. i have built a few and when they turn out to be exactly what you envisioned they are amazing to own.
 
To understand the economics of building rifles this is a useful exercise. Take a large stack of 100 dollar bills; carefully divide it into two equal stacks and light one of them on fire. You should do this several times; alternating which you light first, or as often as it takes to prove that the result seldom varies by much. If your idea of your unique needs and preferences culminates in something much out the ordinary in form or calibre you can simulate that by torching both piles. Repeat until the lesson is learned.


Your dream build is worth approximately the salvage value of a quality used un-bastardized stock and action. The rest is gone. the money that got paid to your gunsmith for assembling it is gone because, buyers assume correctly that a rifle is supposed to be put together. It matters even less if the buyer is taking it apart. Theres a few guys doing that, but bear in mind their offer will be based on turning a profit on selling th ebones.

None of this means that you shouldnt build a rifle; but make sure your planning includes getting buried with it. :) plan for something that youll want forever.
 
Thanks for the information above!

Looks like I’ve got some things to start thinking about!

This is something I’m going to do for myself. I don’t expect to get rid of the gun, but rather always own it.

I’ve got some planning to do
 
What are you wanting to build? Coyote rifle, target rifle, big game rig, lightweight mountain? Small game, big game, varmint control etc...

You mention the 788 rem you own, there are a few options for that rifle if your looking for a similar caliber.
 
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