Bolt Action Question?

[my_name_is_john]

I am looking to purchase a my first bolt action rifle. I really like the Savage rifles. I am not sure which model to get. I will be using it more for target shooting. I would like to eventually shoot at 1000 yards or more. Which model do you think would be best? I am more interested in shooting a .308 cal. Also, I am interested in upgrading my rifle. You know, making it look more tactical. Like getting a new stock for it and all that good stuff. What kind of different stocks are out there, and would any stock fit any rifle? Also, can you build a bolt action rifle like you would an AR? Like buying the barrel, then stock, then trigger mechanism, separately and putting them together yourself, of have a gunsmith doing it for you once you got all of your parts. Thanks guys, I know this is a lot, but i've been asking around, and could never get a straight answer.

[Merc1138]

I'll answer what I can.

1. Upgrade to look more tactical? If you're after looks, that's really not an "upgrade". You're talking about cosmetic changes. Also, considering that a "tactical looking bolt action" can be had with a black synthetic stock, I don't see what it is you think you need to change to make it look "tactical". If you're really that concerned with how it looks, then I suggest you actually take a look at some pictures of tactical rifles first.

2. No, you can't just use any stock. You need to get a stock that is inlet for your receiver(aka action). A remington 700 stock isn't going to fit a savage stock without a lot of work(filling, more inletting). Considering you mentioned savage, there are a number of companies that make stocks pre-inlet for them. This doesn't necessarily mean it'll be a drop in fit in every instance. You may also need to bed the stock(look that up).

3. Yeah, you can build a bolt action like an AR. You'll still need the receiver to go through an FFL. Unfortunately it's not necessarily as easy to put together as an AR and you may find yourself needing some specialized tools depending on the rifle you're putting together. Depending on the barrel you get, you might even need a lathe. There are a number of gunsmiths who can indeed build a custom rifle for you. Just keep in mind that you're looking at spending a lot of money for that. You can build an AR from scratch for $7-800, for a bolt action rifle you're probably going to be looking at well over $1000 depending on what kind of work needs to be done.

4. If you want an idea of what stocks are available, go look up stocks for the model rifle you're interested in on brownells or midwayusa. That'll give you a start. Then of course there are the semi-custom stock builders, and custom stock builders. Manners, McMillan, etc. You could end up spending $200-$1000 on a stock. Depends on what you're after.

You're probably going to be better off starting with a factory out of the box $600 rifle, then if you really want something custom later on, you'll have a better idea of what you want.

[bjl333]

For a stock rifle the 10FP in 308 is a good choice. There are some here on sale every so often! Building a rifle isn't as easy as building as AR. Yes, you could buy an action, barrel, stock ... etc and have a gun smith put everything together for you. But the cost will be up there for what basically is a custom rifle. I you want to go that route, I would recommand just look into buying a custom rifle in the first place.

There are a few semi customs on the market as well. Just go to the various manufacturer's website and see what they have to offer. Most from Remington, Savage, Tikka and a few others will offer reliable off the shelf semi custom tactical rifles that should tickle your fancy!

Scope is another thing you'll need to spend some decent money on. Search around and see what you want. Vortex Viper PST FFP comes to mind as that is one of the scopes I have personally.

Good Luck!!!

[my_name_is_john]

I am planning on starting off with a factory out of the box rifle first. I was planning ahead. Thanks for the info. When I said tactical looking, I meant that I have seen some pics of some really nice rifles on here. I know that they are not sold like that. So I wanted to get some information on how to they did that with their rifles. Thanks Merc, that was a lot of info you provided.

[my_name_is_john]

Thanks BJ, I am aware of the scope costs and the choices out there. That will be another headache I will have to deal with. Thanks for the for the info. I will definitely look into the 10FP.

[Vacaville]

Savage makes great rifles. However, if you want something that will have the most aftermarket parts available, get a Remington 700 SPS. Should run about $600, and you'll have lots of options to customize it. Also, if you're going to want to shoot long-range expect to spend at least $500 on a scope, another $100 for mounts and rings.

[Merc1138]

I am planning on starting off with a factory out of the box rifle first. I was planning ahead. Thanks for the info. When I said tactical looking, I meant that I have seen some pics of some really nice rifles on here. I know that they are not sold like that. So I wanted to get some information on how to they did that with their rifles. Thanks Merc, that was a lot of info you provided.

I'm still not sure what you mean by "tactical looking". Do you mean the camo jobs? Krylon, Cerakote, Duracoat, and some creativity with stencils is where that comes from.

This is "tactical looking"
It's a camo stock with an adjustable cheek rest. Nothing really tactical about the cheek rest.

This is also "tactical looking"

It has a chassis instead of a stock, can use AR grips, AR stocks, detachable mags, etc. But it doesn't need all of that to be "tactical".

Browse through this thread: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...ad.php?t=47532

Looks aren't everything, and something that almost looks like someone's hunting rifle could just as easily be used by a police sniper. Keep in mind that some of those stocks that look a little more "plain" can cost just as much as the ones that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie.

[sotastyy]

+1 on scope and rings

LaRue mounting system and a FFP scope is common/ideal for what you want to do

[baih777]

attached is a pic of my Savage FCP-K. its not a 1000yd rifle. but for target shooting at angeles, it works for me.

this may be my next savage in a 300win

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

also go to the savage website and look at their target rifles

[my_name_is_john]

That's a nice rifle you got Baih.

[my_name_is_john]

Thanks for sharing that thread with me Merc. There's some nice looking rifles on that thread. I saw a lot of customized rifles on that thread. Did they start from scratch or did they just upgrade from their factory rifles?

[Merc1138]

Thanks for sharing that thread with me Merc. There's some nice looking rifles on that thread. I saw a lot of customized rifles on that thread. Did they start from scratch or did they just upgrade from their factory rifles?

Depends. Most of 'em are factory rifles, or factory with some upgrades. There are a few custom builds though. If you start at the last page and read backwards you'll start running into people asking what's in someone else's build with that person answering(as opposed to starting at the beginning, where everyone was just posting pictures). Just remember performance > looks.

[my_name_is_john]

Depends. Most of 'em are factory rifles, or factory with some upgrades. There are a few custom builds though. If you start at the last page and read backwards you'll start running into people asking what's in someone else's build with that person answering(as opposed to starting at the beginning, where everyone was just posting pictures). Just remember performance > looks.

Performance>Looks

Definitely. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I am still gonna start off with a factory rifle from Savage. Not sure which model yet. I am just searching for knowledge for right now, so when I do decide to customize a rifle.

[Fractured]

What is your price range?

[my_name_is_john]

What is your price range?

Im not looking to spend over $3K on my first bolt action rifle and scope which would probably be a Savage, don't know which model yet. But my next project rifle, which I would like to be customized, I am willing to spend a lot more. Of course not at one time. It would be a building project overtime.