What would you use for a dream build ?
- Thread starter powdergun
- Start date
That's actually kind of interesting, though I really don't need another custom project.
I built my dream rifle last year, I used a Defiance AnTi long action, Trigger Tech trigger, Benchmark #2 stainless @ 24", chambered in 280AI, sitting in an AG composites all carbon CAT stock, rem 700 take off bottom metal. Shoots Hornady Precision Hunter 162 ELD-X in 1/2 MOA, and handloaded 160 Nosler ABs into the same.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
My "dream rifle" (within a working man's budget) is almost complete. Jason Spencer (custom bolt), Chris Griesbach (refinished/modified Brno 21 stock), Nick Kaikkonen (bluing), Oskar Kob (CCH) put time into it. I was collecting parts for nearly 10 years. Barreled-action is a Brno 21 in 7x57 (with a mint bore) and a bunch of different M98 parts from different sources. Every part I purchased for this rifle has some meaning for me and I am excited to turn them into something functional. Yes, it is way cheaper and less stressful to buy a new rifle or modify a complete rifle of some vintage, but it's not the same feeling as an assemblage of orphan parts.
Weatherby Fan
CGN Regular
- Location
- Maple Ridge,BC,Canada
My dream rifle built by Gary Flach pictured below, 280AI, Defiance AnTi Action, 23 inch SS Fluted 1-9 twist #1 contour Benchmark Barrel, Wildcat UL CF Stock with high comb and palm swell added, alloy bottom metal, Wyatts 3.85" mag box, trigger tech trigger, rifle weighs 5lbs 2oz on its own and 6lbs 3.7oz scoped, its a dream to shoulder and pack and its lucky to as I shot a four pt Mule Deer first time hunting with it !!!
It will shoot a 1" group at 300 yards if I do my part with my handloads, 59.1grs R26/Fed 210M primers/ 160gr AB/Peterson brass doing 2940fps, $4000.00 in parts and labour excluding scope and mounts.
Like a bunch, I own my dream rifle (the others are currently ordered or being being built).
My number one is my pre 64 model 70 375 h&h. It was my grandmothers hunting rifle (still have the box of ammunition she bought with the rifle).
I built the stock for it, my grandad added the barrel in ‘65, and have a timney trigger waiting for it once my bolt returns from jeweling.
Not sure the make of the barrel, has B.L. Fallen 10/20/65 stamped on it.
It shoots 260 gr partitions quite well.
My number one is my pre 64 model 70 375 h&h. It was my grandmothers hunting rifle (still have the box of ammunition she bought with the rifle).
I built the stock for it, my grandad added the barrel in ‘65, and have a timney trigger waiting for it once my bolt returns from jeweling.
Not sure the make of the barrel, has B.L. Fallen 10/20/65 stamped on it.
It shoots 260 gr partitions quite well.
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I’ve been thinking about and buying guns to fit this role of a lightweight handy rifle to carry around a lot while out boating and at the cabin, I live in grizzly country. Think of a lightweight guides rifle. But the medium bores are all built on bulky large ring actions. Older small ring 96 and 98 mausers exist in 9.3x62 and 10.75. While handy they all 100 years old at this point blued walnut guns. Which isn’t favourable either in my climate.
I’ve come pretty close with three different rifles. First attempt at this was a Sako black bear. Only chambered in 308 win, while available on 9.3x62. It was simply too bulky and heavy. The sights and barrel were the best part of that rifle. A heavier barrel with the sling swivel mounted half way down. Fluted with the fluting being separated by the sling swivel was practical and ascetically appealing. But the gun was simply to heavy so I sold it.
The next gun I went to try to fill this role was a kimber hunter 84l in 280. While 280 is too small and the biggest factory chambering is 30-06, again too small. No factory open sights. But a proportional action like the 84l is the only way to go for a rifle that is made to be carried. With a scope and the longer 22” barrel this rifle just wasn’t what I wanted. Sure scopes are great. But in the thick alders of a temperate rainforest a soggy scope is slow to use.
The last gun I’ve gun with a blr takedown 300 wsm. The lever action is fast and handy. The cartridge is approaching acceptable. But the action of the rifle just isn’t robust enough to be submerged in a river or the borderline abuse this rifle is intended to use. Combined with that it is completely unserviceable in the field.
a) Action 84l
b) cartridge that is not a big magnum 9.3x62
c) barrel ( make and contour) very similar maybe one profile lighter than a Sako black bear barrel
d) Stock ( make and style)Tupperware kimber stock
I’ve come pretty close with three different rifles. First attempt at this was a Sako black bear. Only chambered in 308 win, while available on 9.3x62. It was simply too bulky and heavy. The sights and barrel were the best part of that rifle. A heavier barrel with the sling swivel mounted half way down. Fluted with the fluting being separated by the sling swivel was practical and ascetically appealing. But the gun was simply to heavy so I sold it.
The next gun I went to try to fill this role was a kimber hunter 84l in 280. While 280 is too small and the biggest factory chambering is 30-06, again too small. No factory open sights. But a proportional action like the 84l is the only way to go for a rifle that is made to be carried. With a scope and the longer 22” barrel this rifle just wasn’t what I wanted. Sure scopes are great. But in the thick alders of a temperate rainforest a soggy scope is slow to use.
The last gun I’ve gun with a blr takedown 300 wsm. The lever action is fast and handy. The cartridge is approaching acceptable. But the action of the rifle just isn’t robust enough to be submerged in a river or the borderline abuse this rifle is intended to use. Combined with that it is completely unserviceable in the field.
a) Action 84l
b) cartridge that is not a big magnum 9.3x62
c) barrel ( make and contour) very similar maybe one profile lighter than a Sako black bear barrel
d) Stock ( make and style)Tupperware kimber stock
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a) Action = Defance Anti Long
b) cartridge that is not a big magnum = 280 AI
c) barrel ( make and contour) = #2 Benchmark
d) Stock ( make and style) = Wildcat
Prob Run a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15 x44 CDS ZL B&C in Talley LW rings -Bases RJ
This is my biggest thing, when you take a look at European makers even an off-the-shelf Blaser R8 goes for more than $4k without optic.
But $4k does buy a decent package, for sure. To me, it most likely wouldn't be a "build" though through a gunsmith, $5k really gets you something special but at $4k it would probably be a tuned, all-around, all-weather hunting rifle instead of something specific like a dangerous game double rifle or a single-shot staking rifle.
It probably won’t seem at all like a dream build to most of you, but I’m more about building something interesting or different and trying something a bit out of the conventional than just owning some “dream piece”.
The other year I wanted to make a more compact rifle that still has a decent length barrel, I realized that the 788 Remington action is a bit more compact from bolt face to trigger, I then redesigned the trigger piece to move the finger position forward about 30mm, thus shortening the distance from trigger to end of barrel by essentially bringing the action rearward.
I then custom built a stock from ultralight balsa wood and tried my hand at carbon fibre, got a carbon six barrel, and made a lightweight bipod that flush mounts into the stock so it slides in and out of my eberlestock pack without hanging up or having to take the bipod off, it’s heavier than I aimed for but with bipod, picatinny rail and 4-24x50 scope still under 10 pounds.
This probably all sounds different, but for me the fun was in doing something different that couldn’t be found elsewhere or made from off the shelf parts. There is certainly nicer or more accurate or lighter rigs out there for the same dollar but I’m happy with it and no regrets. Probably as much fulfillment from the build process as getting out and shooting it.
Different itch, different way to scratch, but I’m content.
The other year I wanted to make a more compact rifle that still has a decent length barrel, I realized that the 788 Remington action is a bit more compact from bolt face to trigger, I then redesigned the trigger piece to move the finger position forward about 30mm, thus shortening the distance from trigger to end of barrel by essentially bringing the action rearward.
I then custom built a stock from ultralight balsa wood and tried my hand at carbon fibre, got a carbon six barrel, and made a lightweight bipod that flush mounts into the stock so it slides in and out of my eberlestock pack without hanging up or having to take the bipod off, it’s heavier than I aimed for but with bipod, picatinny rail and 4-24x50 scope still under 10 pounds.
This probably all sounds different, but for me the fun was in doing something different that couldn’t be found elsewhere or made from off the shelf parts. There is certainly nicer or more accurate or lighter rigs out there for the same dollar but I’m happy with it and no regrets. Probably as much fulfillment from the build process as getting out and shooting it.
Different itch, different way to scratch, but I’m content.
- Location
- The Cariboo
Well, I sort of have a dream gun I built a few years back.
It's a 25-06 AI Mauser 98 action, walnut stock, Timney trigger and a Douglas Premium 26" barrell.
I did the stock (inletting, fitting palm grip/swell, fore arm and the rest, except checkering) also did some of the metal work.
I got the action from Castle Armory, picked one out of at least 150 original German actions, mine was a 1943 Oberndorf (byf) with all the original markings.
The weird thing is years later I added up the serial numbers and it's the same as my birthday!
I guess it was meant to be mine
Looks like I can't post a picture.
It's a 25-06 AI Mauser 98 action, walnut stock, Timney trigger and a Douglas Premium 26" barrell.
I did the stock (inletting, fitting palm grip/swell, fore arm and the rest, except checkering) also did some of the metal work.
I got the action from Castle Armory, picked one out of at least 150 original German actions, mine was a 1943 Oberndorf (byf) with all the original markings.
The weird thing is years later I added up the serial numbers and it's the same as my birthday!
I guess it was meant to be mine
Looks like I can't post a picture.
- Location
- The Cariboo
Otherwise, I would love a Heym SR30 straightpull!
- Location
- The Cariboo
Another gun I "dreamed" up is a 300-8mm Rem Mag. Leupold scope on EAW QD mounts.
This was when nobody to my kowledge had something like this.
Bought a brand new Browning A-bolt stainless at Kesselring and said to Ron, take the barrell off, order a 28" Hart SS tube and chamber to my specified caliber.
They did and they did a great job, but I still have the original ugly stock, someday I will replace it with something better.
This was when nobody to my kowledge had something like this.
Bought a brand new Browning A-bolt stainless at Kesselring and said to Ron, take the barrell off, order a 28" Hart SS tube and chamber to my specified caliber.
They did and they did a great job, but I still have the original ugly stock, someday I will replace it with something better.
They may not be main stream in Canada but they are in the USA
