Gunsmithing custom / personalized rifle questions

[GhengisAhn175]

Hey guys,

forgive me if I seem wet behind the ears with such questions but wondering if someone could explain a few things for me.

I see a lot of custom built rifles (IE AX chassis) for a 308 but people opt to use a remington 700 action instead of say the AI action. Whats the reason for this? Would it be difficult to obtain such an action?

If the AI action wasn't available for a single item purchase to put on a build (could be whatever stock) then the builder can use a different action like bighorn, defiance, etc?

If I had a custom built rifle with a r700 action could I just purchase an action and slap it on or is there more to it gunsmithing wise than just swapping actions on a build?

To make this less complicated (if it does) this is strictly speaking for 308 so a short action. Unsure if different calibers within the same style of action matter.

Thanks guys

 

[MikeeBooshay]

OK here's a stab at your answers:

First, the AI action is great, no doubt, just not readily available for use by custom builders, and it is pretty heavy, although that's not a bad thing sometimes. You'll see very, very few custom AI setups.

Next, you are correct there is more to it than "slapping an action in". Doesn't work like that.

If you want a custom build, start by deciding what you are going to do with it, target, hunt, compete etc, at what ranges, with what bullets, in what caliber. If you can't answer that, you probably don't NEED a custom rifle, but you may still want one. Just be prepared, that when you get it, it won't make you a better marksman, it might help a little, but real marksman, will still out shoot you every day, with and off the rack 700, with a 4x Tasco on it.

If you still MUST have a custom, spend a bit of time with your chosen gunsmith, explain your intended purpose for the rifle, and for gods sake listen to him, if he's any good, he won't want you have something you can't be successful and happy with either. This world is full of guys with a $5000 rifle with a $3000 scope, that sits, because they aren't happy with it, or it is not suited to the purpose. There's plenty for sale in the classified right here on SH.

For a lot of guys, the money would be better spent on ammo and lessons.

 

[thrusty]

Hey guys,

forgive me if I seem wet behind the ears with such questions but wondering if someone could explain a few things for me.

I see a lot of custom built rifles (IE AX chassis) for a 308 but people opt to use a remington 700 action instead of say the AI action. Whats the reason for this? Would it be difficult to obtain such an action?

I think most folks choose to go with a R700 action due to cost and/or they already have a Rem 700 action in hand. Personally, I've never seen a, new in box, AI action (just the action) available for sale...so yes, it would be difficult to buy just an AI action.

If the AI action wasn't available for a single item purchase to put on a build (could be whatever stock) then the builder can use a different action like bighorn, defiance, etc?

Any Remington 700 clone action should drop into an AI chassis. The other styles of actions may require some modification to the chassis.

If I had a custom built rifle with a r700 action could I just purchase an action and slap it on or is there more to it gunsmithing wise than just swapping actions on a build?

Not sure I understand... If you mean can you swap different barreled actions in and out of an AI chassis then yes. If you mean can you swap actions easily on an already barreled Rem 700 action, then no.

To make this less complicated (if it does) this is strictly speaking for 308 so a short action. Unsure if different calibers within the same style of action matter.

Thanks guys

Yes, you can use different calibers in a short action as long as they (obviously) match the chambered barrel, are short action calibers and you have the correct bolt face.

 

[GhengisAhn175]

Thanks for the reply guys. I wasn't planning on
Building or anything but saw a couple threads where guys were discussing and lightly bashing a seller and one of the comments was along the line of great chassis/decent action and visa versa..

So my thoughts just went on to "why not get a better action then" and of the sorts.


As far as gunsmithing wise what needed to be done to the action or rifle since it's more than just picking one to put it in?
If this question seems vague then I'll put it in terms of: you just rebarreled from a 308 to a 260 remington and changed the action from a r700 to a defiance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[strike33]

some chassis may require minor inletting for the trigger selected or recoil lug if its larger or an extended tenon. Most of the actions that are advertised as a Rem 700 footprint will drop right in.

 

[thrusty]

Thanks for the reply guys. I wasn't planning on
Building or anything but saw a couple threads where guys were discussing and lightly bashing a seller and one of the comments was along the line of great chassis/decent action and visa versa..

So my thoughts just went on to "why not get a better action then" and of the sorts.


As far as gunsmithing wise what needed to be done to the action or rifle since it's more than just picking one to put it in?
If this question seems vague then I'll put it in terms of: you just rebarreled from a 308 to a 260 remington and changed the action from a r700 to a defiance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First, you wouldn't (at least I wouldn't) be rebarreling from a R700 308 to a Defiance 260. I would just leave the R700 alone and barrel a Defiance action in 260. Then I would have two separate barreled actions that I could put in a chassis as I pleased...although, I would typically have a stock for each action instead if swapping.

If you just want to improve your factory Rem 700, you need it trued up, add a recoil lug and, if you want to go all out, you can add a PTG bolt. My trued up Remmy shoots just as well as the other names....but that's because there was a competent smith doing the work.


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