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Gunsmithing First Rifle Build - Success!

wtopace

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 30, 2009
259
1
38
Wylie, TX
Hey guys, thought I would check in with some pictures of my first completed rifle. It took a few months working on it nights and weekends (and even then only when I could squeeze some time in). Thanks for all of the valuable information you guys provide! If you would like to see more (excruciating detail), feel free to click my blog in my sig.

I had no formal education (in machining - I do have a BS in computer science engineering so I am very math oriented) and have never even seen a lathe before January 2011. The internet seems to be a wealth of knowledge (both correct and incorrect) on machining and I found learning a lot of machine work to be quite fascinating. Thanks again for all the help via PM, post or phone calls, you guys have been super helpful!

Started with an ADL in .243
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Indicated the receiver in a home made jig, using home made bushings and a drill rod (I was able to dial the run-out down to 0.0002).
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Picture of the finished receiver, nice and shiny.
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Next up was the recoil lug work, I had to open it up to match the new barrel tenon - 1.075". Again, I used a home made jig to hold the recoil lug in place.
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I figured I would use a little practice on reaming the chamber before the real one, so I made a go-gauge out of some of the muzzle-end leftover.
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And finally, the actual chamber.
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Re: First Rifle Build - Success!

Completed Rifle. I still plan to Cerakote the rifle and turn a custom bolt knob in the (near) future.

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I got to the range today and the rifle shot amazingly. I didn't bother to trickle-charge the cases and just tossed the powder with a Redding BR3 measure. The cases were necked down Lapua .308s and I was running 34gr Varget.
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Re: First Rifle Build - Success!

Looks like it is a shooter for sure. Congrats on the build.
 
Re: First Rifle Build - Success!

Good job, man.

It takes a lot of time and money to get the first one up and running. For me, it took more determination than anything else I had ever done up until that point.

Welcome to the addiction.
 
Re: First Rifle Build - Success!

Very nice to hear your success. Getting ready to do my first n gives me confidence to do mine
 
Re: First Rifle Build - Success!

Very cool.

I'm impressed you went from never seeing a lathe before to using one well so quickly. Nicely done!
 
Re: First Rifle Build - Success!

Nice! I have been looking for a lathe myself. I have been watching videos, reading and checking out this section a lot to learn. Someday I'll give it a try also. Good job I would be very proud!