Thread: Custom firearms

Hello gents. As some of you already know I've been looking for a bolt action with iron sights that shoots .223 for over a year and just cant find one I like. Well I've come to a solution...build my own. I've done it before with my M4, and a M44 Mosin Nagant (changed stock and trigger, altered the sights) so why not with this. I'm looking at a stevens 200 short for the base, and add open sights out of the gate, later I'll probably change the stock and trigger, possibly the barrel years down the road. I would prefer a shorter barrel (18-20") but they're harder to find. What do yall think? Do any of you have experience with these of other savage rifles? Any of you done your own custom builds? Happy shaves gents.

I've not tasted the better Savages, but their varmint line has been getting great reviews since the mid 90s. The Stevens isn't their premium line, but maybe true up the action. Select twist rate for the weight of pill you want to throw. Depending on barrel length, you might get a range of 55-80 g pill stabilized (prob need 26" length) with a 9 twist. I don't know if this chambering was one that interested Glen, but his thoughts would likely be valuable. If you do your own chambering, clean, and re-indicate to bore center after each cut. Naturally if you bore center, then turn the holding point at the steady rest, indicating on that point should remain bore-centered. The JGS line has centerless ground bore spuds that accept live pilots graduated in .0002" for a very precise fit for indication. If you have to buy a reamer, be sure to advise them or send a precise sample of the pill you want to throw, its magazine seating depth (if you wish to feed through the mag), and how far you want the round to jump to engage the lead. As an alternate, you could order a zero lead reamer and a separate throating reamer.

Check out gssixgun (Glen) I believe he was a custom rifle maker before getting into straight razors.

Glen was a gunsmith.

The savage varmet rifles are very nice. I have a 12vss in 223. I have the trigger pull down to 2.5 pounds and with my hand loads it will punch one 30 calibre hole with 5 rounds at 100 yards. You could start with a standard barrel and have a smith cut and crown the barrel to the length you want. We have a couple of the original Stevens rolling block 22's. Nice rifles, shot my first groundhog with one at the farm 30 some years ago. I have looked at the new production stevens and was less than impressed with them.

Cannonfodder: ". I have looked at the new production stevens and was less than impressed with them."
I would have to agree. 'Might be worth seeing if they sell selected (trued) actions. If not, another exquisite route would be one of the 40x series from the Rem custom shop. For what you'd spend paying retail for components, it would likely surpass the price of a 40x.
Or maybe ask Glen for his advice & maybe a quote.

Thanks guys. I have looked at possibly picking up another Remington 700 to use for it. I'm looking to spend about 5-600 or so now for the stock rifle and sights. I'll end up doing the other things over time (two years for an M4) I'm a slow to spread out the cash pain kinda guy. I'm thinking maybe find a good used rifle to lower the initial payout. But I have the issue of finding a project as soon as I finish one. I'll have to PM Glen and ask for some advise.

It's been a while since I checked them out but I thought the mossberg atr rifles had iron sights at one time in addition to one you could get with a detacheable box mag.
You might also look in to finding a mauser action that has been turned in to a .223 bolt. Lots of good rifles have been made out of those actions, albeit usually in a .3xx caliber but as a centerfire it stands to reason that someone, somewhere has turned one in to a .223

I'm not sure if you know about this website, but I have bought & sold quite a few firearms on Guns - Online Gun Auction - Guns for Sale at GunBroker.com. Seems to be a bit less sleezy sellers than the bay.