help custom rifle build

[integraracer157]

I want to build my rifle from scratch. ive built a few in past using used Mauser actions. anyone know where i can find new ones? and a local ffl that will order me one? I herd Charles daily makes them but cant find them.

[Richard Erichsen]

I want to build my rifle from scratch. ive built a few in past using used Mauser actions. anyone know where i can find new ones? and a local ffl that will order me one? I herd Charles daily makes them but cant find them.

I don't know about the "from scratch" part. That would require milling a 12 lb. block of steel. If you just want to build a rifle from a loose bit of non-matching parts, the surplus market is full of opportunities.

If you are wanting to build a rifle from an action (not sure what your goals are), there are loads of commercial Mauser large ring and small ring '98 actions, many surplus actions from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s to choose from. Keep in mind it may actually cost less to buy a used sporterized rifle in the action of your choice than to build one, but if you enjoy the process and want more control over parts selection, it's one way to go.

The DWM Brazilian Mauser is a great price for commercial Mauser (Euro smiths use them almost exclusively).

The Polish wz.29 or wz.98/29 (the former being made from WWI era german parts, while the latter were of Polish manufacture) are among the better options and relatively plentiful.

The Czech vz.24, one of the most widely distributed of the great pre-war Mausers, well made and for a non-matching kit should be cost effective.

Spanish M48 and FR8, a mix of civil war and WWII era weapons, many with mixed Spanish and German parts. Good buy for the money.

FN 24, FN 30, considered among the better pre-war specimens, but a lot less common than the BRNO weapons and therefore more expensive.

Charles Daly made a number of models over time with wide price variations, most are of a fairly high quality, though not necessarily on par with the pre-war models from other makers.

The Yugo K98 dating to the war years and just after are also good deals. M48 is not a "true" long action and is small ring if that matters to you.

What exactly did you want to build and for what purpose? A blueprinted war rifle may actually be better than more modern commercial actions, pre-war actions are almost certain to have better machining and heat treatment to that of the war period. Commercial actions were mostly attempts to make an expensive action cheaper to produce, not better.

Check the gun auctions and gun shows. FFLs aren't going to stock weapons like this, they don't move fast enough to bother.

R

[kcstott]

Charles daily is Interarms, look for them.

lets have some details
Caliber?
Type of bottom metal? i.e. blocked off, detachable mag, dropped floor plate, straddle floor plate?
Trigger options?
Type of safety? Wing, trigger mount, etc
Type of shooting you intend to do? dictated by caliber above to an extent.
Stock type? wood or tupperware?
if wood Grade? plain grain or XXXX exhibition grade or some were in between
Scope mount? Dual square bridges, Tally, German Claw mount, Custom.
Sights? none, iron, peep, express, Hooded banded????

I suspect you want to do this for the experience?
I strongly advise against it. But if you really want to give it a go you are going to need some tools and some serous ones to.
You can get pre-chambered barrels and semi inletted stocks but that is only the half of it. You will need a chamber reamer and gages, those can be rented. Possibly the use of a lathe. Different bottom metal can cost as much as the used action. Wood working tools for the stock if you go with wood. And action wrench and barrel vise or borrow one???
And all kinds of other stuff that is in the details.
So how much do you really want to spend since they don't do bolt action build parties

[integraracer157]

tooling and experience are not an issue. ive built a few in past. but when i was building them mausers were 79 dollars at big 5. now thats not case so looking for a new action. thanks for response. ill look into interarms thanks

[integraracer157]

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26367/Product/SHORT-ACTION-RECEIVER-BOLT

I might change plans, kinda fell in love with this action, and still should be around 3000 budget.

[CRTguns]

I want to build my rifle from scratch. ive built a few in past using used Mauser actions. anyone know where i can find new ones? and a local ffl that will order me one? I herd Charles daily makes them but cant find them.

you'll be miles ahead of that game if you look around for an old remington 722 or 721. You an pick them up for around 300-350, and they use any and all rem 700 aftermarket bolt-ons. (may require a little bit of doing, the safety for example)

The mauser is just noise.

[Richard Erichsen]

you'll be miles ahead of that game if you look around for an old remington 722 or 721. You an pick them up for around 300-350, and they use any and all rem 700 aftermarket bolt-ons. (may require a little bit of doing, the safety for example)

The mauser is just noise.

The Remington 798 isn't bad either (Zastava of Serbia). But another option is a used Winchester Model 70 pre-64. Post 64 models became rather less "Mauser-like" which is why the price deltas can be so steep.

R

[ChuckD]

Are there any plans anywhere for milling out the receiver? Any blanks on the market that may be easier than starting with a 12# block of steel?

[Richard Erichsen]

Are there any plans anywhere for milling out the receiver? Any blanks on the market that may be easier than starting with a 12# block of steel?

Blueprints exist, but it's a complex bit of craft to mill one of the unmolested Mauser 1898 designs out. Some 300+ cuts are involved and to do a proper job, a case hardening with variable hardness depending on where in the receiver the loads and wear demand.

Much cheaper to buy a good action than try to attempt to recreate what modern processes have mostly attempted to simplify for the sake of production costs.

R

[kcstott]

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...-RECEIVER-BOLT

I might change plans, kinda fell in love with this action, and still should be around 3000 budget.

Stillers makes a better action and cheeper too.
You would never want to machine one from solid. EDM the race ways, calculate cammed extraction. The bolt alone is a PITA.
Stiller's $950 for a Rem 700 copy but better in a lot of ways. built by a very respected builder. and supply is always good. not hit and miss like some of the pricier actions.

[integraracer157]

thanks for input guys. may have to rethink this project. maybe go 700 route

[Peter W Bush]

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...-RECEIVER-BOLT

I might change plans, kinda fell in love with this action, and still should be around 3000 budget.

That is one of the finest actions on the market and the resale value is great. You will not be dissapointed with a Surgeon.

[yari]

from scratch?

http://jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/boltaction.htm

looks like fun to me.

[CRTguns]

That is one of the finest actions on the market and the resale value is great. You will not be dissapointed with a Surgeon.

ahhhhh... yes, you may be dissapointed.

Look at Stiller or Defiance.

The folks at these two comanies are slightly more literate- that is, they speak proper english. Just seems comforting to know the guys making you rifle action can make all the vowell sounds. Asking why? Call Surgeon and 'em ask a technical question.


Or, idunno, you could ask a guy who makes an income building rifles from these 3 actions and ask him which is best for $1-2K. He would tell you the same thing I will tell you cause I'm one of those guys. Stiller. Defiance.

http://defiancemachine.com/

[freonr22]

Ay thoughts on a not mentioned much interarms mark x action?