New Rifle Itch...

[Grady]

It's been a while since I actually posted but I wanted to get some thoughts on bolt action receivers for a custom build.

Here is a little background, last year I decided it was time to do a semi custom build on a 25 Creedmoor - why? why not!. So I purchased a Savage 110 for a smoking deal, ripped the barrel off and replaced it with a Preferred Barrel in 25 CM (22 inch, fluted), re-painted stock. The rifle turned out great and with very little load development it's shooting sub .5" MOA with 133 Berger Elite Hunters in front of H4350. Currently playing with Superformance and have a load identified for Hornady 134 ELD-M - need a little more work, but it looks promising. Becasue of that success, I am half way thru a 6MM Creedmoor build on a Howa action with a Carbon Six barrel (20 inch), MDT chassis. Now comes the new project and my question... What custom receiver have you used to built your custom rifle? This project will be a 7mm PRC for a '27 Alaska Spring Bear hunt with a carbon barrel. Looking for something mid tier... No trying to spend $2K+ on the receiver. Would rather save those pennies for the scope. Always have to option to buy another long action and replace the barrel

 

[Hedge774]

I've never built anything but strong, loving relationships, but the finest custom rifle I've shot was built on a defiance action.

 

[Parkerpusher]

I was getting ready to build a 6CM last year but got a Springfield waypoint on sale and it ticked so many boxes for me that I never built one.

I just noticed they started offering their actions only for custom builds. MSRP $1100 I think. Maybe $900 on the street. I like mine enough I would consider it for a future build.

 

[Berettaco]

Built 3 and used defiance actions on all of them. Can pickup a defiance classic action for $900-$1,000 and then Proof prefit barrels are readily available

 

[Grady]

Built 3 and used defiance actions on all of them. Can pickup a defiance classic action for $900-$1,000 and then Proof prefit barrels are readily available

What calibers did you build?

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’ve built using a Savage Action or an old 700 Action. Done a couple Rem Actions with Savage Barrel Nuts. I’ve looked at Defiance a time or two but haven’t done any builds in the last few years as I’ve migrated to a lot of older stuff

 

[coreydb]

I'm doing a similar custom build in 338 Norma Mag. I chose a Kelbly receiver (they make world record holding rifles; super high precision) with a Proof Research barrel in a folding XLR Element 4.0 aluminum chassis. The total outlay was 5k. Accuracy is .5 MOA. Another custom build was with a Defiance action in 28 Nosler on an MDT aluminum chassis with a Proof Research barrel, for just a little more. Both receivers are made with super tight tolerances and cost around $1500 each. I also did a custom "cheap charlie" build in 9.3x62 that I've talked about on other threads in AH. I re-purposed one of my Rem 700s (my mag receiver), re-barreled it with a Lothar Walther button barrel and ordered a rifle stock from Richard's Microfit stocks.. I used a Trigger Tech Diamond trigger to complete a totally new build. The most expensive part of the build was the barrel. All done under $800 including the price of my receiver..

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

I’ve used FN Mauser and Winchester M70 Classic actions for custom builds.

 

[Berettaco]

What calibers did you build?

Built 2 6.5 PRCs and a 22 Creedmoor

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'm an old man who likes old actions. Both my hunting rifles are WWII veterans. Czech vz.24 98 Mauser into 404J and good old 30-06 Springfield 03A3. Both were built by me (except 404 barrel mounted by gunsmith and local machine shop opened it's bolt face - Springfield totally rebuilt from my dad's 1962 project). Nice thing about building a Mauser is the availability of parts and materials for the build. Almost endless and anyone can work on a Mauser. They don't have to be "ordinary" guns if not desired. On the other hand that action can be dressed up into a work of art. Most of the "modern" Klingon actions not so much.

 

[woods0824]

I'm a fan of the Impact NBK. They are now making a lighter version if weight is important. For a more affordable option I'd consider the Weatherby 307. It is based on the Remington 700 so it is easy to build off of and is sold for a fair price. The biggest selling point for the Inpact for me is availability of quality prefit barrels making the build DIY if you want and the ability to change calibers in the future.

 

[Grady]

Update to my possible build delima.

I came across a deal that I decided was to good to pass up. I know own a Weatherby 307 in 7mm PRC. Based on the price of a quality action, with everything needed to make it into a shooter, $1500 - $2000 if not more, I came across the Weatherby at a substantial discount. (NIB, just at $1100) Comes with the threaded muzzle and a muzzle break, timney field trigger, 20 MOA rail, nice stock.
Still need to put glass on it, but that is my next search. Will use a Burris Veracity that I have for the time being. Now just waiting on the Brass and Dies to arrive so I can work up some potential loads.

 

[Rifleman97]

I'm an old man who likes old actions. Both my hunting rifles are WWII veterans. Czech vz.24 98 Mauser into 404J and good old 30-06 Springfield 03A3. Both were built by me (except 404 barrel mounted by gunsmith and local machine shop opened it's bolt face - Springfield totally rebuilt from my dad's 1962 project). Nice thing about building a Mauser is the availability of parts and materials for the build. Almost endless and anyone can work on a Mauser. They don't have to be "ordinary" guns if not desired. On the other hand that action can be dressed up into a work of art. Most of the "modern" Klingon actions not so much.

A lot of the modern actions are really good looking. Almost every defiance action looks great. Zermatt on the other hand

Bat machine, Defiance, Terminus, none of them require any trueing, they almost always feed like a dream, and you can even get prefit barrels so any caveman can throw a barrel on without even needing a lathe. If you hire it done, a Mauser action will often be as expensive as a new custom by the time it’s fully worked over by a smith to modern standards, and it won’t have modern steel when you’re all done.

I love vintage guns, but modern actions definitely have their place.

For example, Defiance Machine makes the actions for the modern high end Griffin and Howe rifles. Modern spec modern steel controlled round feed action, but they don’t come cheap either. But neither does a new Mauser, so not really that surprising.