making your own custom rifle from a military action

[sharpshooter94]

I was considering making my own varmint rifle this winter. Does anyone know of a military action that could be worked with to accommodate a 22-250 or .223. A barrel is not that much of a problem right now and neither is a stock. If anyone knows of anywhere I could get a military surplus action that still functions properly please post it. I don't want to have to buy another rifle but if my options limit it to that then I guess I have to.

[Gil Martin]

Most of the gun shops I visit have sporterized '98 Mausers at reasonable prices that would work well to build a custom rifle. They also have used sporter rifles that have possibilities. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

[Badger]

sharpshooter94,

HOW MANY custom rifles have you built from military actions? I have done several and some turned out ok and some just "so-so." You will NOT save money over buying a current production rifle, which in most cases is ALREADY drilled and tapped.

If you MUST build a sporter from a military action, then go right ahead. Presupposing you know a talented gunsmith who can do the work in ONE or TWO years. IF you want to shoot that .22-250 or .223 in a year or two, I suggest you go pick a NEW Commercial rifle off the rack that HAS a Warranty. The days of building an economy sporter from a military action ended in the late 1960s, IMO.

Badger

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

What Badger says is too true. Ultimately you will spend a lot of money if you do it right. It is not a weekend project for the average handyman. If you are asking the question you're asking then you have answered the question about how many you've done. Is it gun smithing you are wanting to take up as a hobby or varmint shooting. If it is gun smithing, then go for it, but here are better actions than any military bolt action for a 22-250 or a 223. If it is varmint shooting, then get a little 700 short action and have it barreled and chambered for your round of choice.

Alan

[tommyt]

We need Jack Belk Back
That was the Best reading and pictures I've ever seen/read
wish I copied every word and Photo
Tommyt

[T2133]

I have a Ankara M38, sporterized it after the fore-end split in the process of refinishing the wood. Has an ER Shaw 26" tube chambered in 8mm-06 w/ Williams target rear sight/ bead front ramp sight, not too expensive and very useful.

[Joe Boleo]

It is still possible to build a custom rifle from a military action without taking out a home equity loan. True, the best option may be to search the used gun racks for a bargain sporting rifle. The price of new rifles is sky high. I have been able to find sporterized military rifles that just needed a bit of work to turn them into great rifles. Some were already in sporter stocks. the receiver was drilled and tapped, the bolt was bent or altered, they had a low scope safety and some had scopes. So it depends, the rifle may need a new barrel and blue job or a new stock. If you look around and make a good selection, the costs are not that bad. Just the idle thoughts of an idle fellow. Take care...
Joe

[Altjaeger]

I was browsing through the Midway site last night. I saw commercial Mauser 98 actions for a few hundred dollars and barrels threaded to fit for about $80. Compared to buying a surplus rifle, having a gunsmith clean up the metal work and prepare it for stocking it seemed a deal, especially if you are rebarreling the military action.

[Gil Martin]

Joe makes a number of good points. However, the used gun racks may make the most economic sense. I was in a gun shop yesterday and saw a commercial FN bolt action in .30-06. It had a vintage Balvar A scope with the adjustment in the mounts. The bore was perfect, the stock was lovely and the price was cheap. I set it back on layaway until payday. Not sure what I will do with this rifle, but it was too good to pass up. All the best...
Gil

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

$55 starter rifle
$125 Stock
$35 sling
$20 tools
$80 Adams & Bennett barrel
$30 Safety
$45 trigger
$200 scope
$60 rings and mounts
$15 glass bedding kit

Time and expertise, if you know how to do all the metal work and stock work.

This will get you a very plain custom rifle that is guaranteed to go bang.

Alan

[Bushman]

I wouldn't mind getting a .35 Whelen moose rifle built up on a 98 Mauser action, but after that most of the military actions can stay at the armory from what I've seen. I'd shop the used rack especially for a smaller varmint type chambering. With the economy like it is, the used racks are full around here.