Hey everyone! I have been a long time lurker on the hide. I'm gearing up to build my first precision bolt gun and figured this is the place to be.
I'm no stranger to bolt guns, I grew up with them and have shot my fair share. I just haven't built one the way I want it. I've owned out-of-the-box bolt actions but it's time to move on and build a good rifle.
The rifle I'm looking at building is going to basically be a general purpose rifle that has the ability to hit small targets and with the energy to knock down larger ones. I have a general outline of what I want to build. If anyone has any tips or pointers please feel free to pass along some wisdom.
I've simplified my gun collection to my basic three food groups when it comes to ammo. That is 9mm, 5.56 and 7.62. I may decide to add another as this build evolves but for now I'm looking at the good old .308.
I have three kids so my build is going to be on the low budget side, but not junk. So far this is what I'm looking at:
Stevens 200 w/t .308 bolt face as the action. Tried and true ol' Savage action.
E.R. Shaw varmint profile barrel, 18.5", threaded 5/8"-24 tpi.
McMillan M40/HTG stock, woodland camo molded in.
CDI bottom metal.
SSS recoil lug.
Oversize bolt handle.
Short Harris Bipod w/t Raptor feet.
Dednutz base/rings combo.
Burris Fullfield Tactical 3x9-40mm, Green.
Rifle Basix Trigger.
3 AI 5rd. and 2 AI 10rd.
Like I said before I'm wanting a reliable, general purpose bolt gun. I want it to be compact, accurate and rugged. I want to be able to grab it and hit the hills and navigate thick brush without fighting a long barrel. I want to be able to place shots out to around 400 yds and closer. I am a good shot with many years of shooting experience under my belt. But I know my limits and my needs. Given the terrain in which I live shots over 400 yds just isn't practical. A long range build will be for another day. For now I need something I can shoot rapid shots with inside the 400 yd mark.
This rifle will be bedded with Marine-Tex and will be given a nice coat of OD Alumahyde on all of the metal parts.
Now, if anyone has any suggestions or examples of a good general purpose rifle I'm all ears. I've always been a big semi-auto guy but my eyes were recently opened to the usefulness of a good, reliable bolt gun with detachable box mags.
I'm glad to be a member of the hide! I'm looking forward to building a few good bolt guns. I've trained and have all the gear I need for CQB and medium range shooting. Now I'm ready to branch out into the longer range stuff.
Thanks for reading and everyone enjoy your weekend!
I'm no stranger to bolt guns, I grew up with them and have shot my fair share. I just haven't built one the way I want it. I've owned out-of-the-box bolt actions but it's time to move on and build a good rifle.
The rifle I'm looking at building is going to basically be a general purpose rifle that has the ability to hit small targets and with the energy to knock down larger ones. I have a general outline of what I want to build. If anyone has any tips or pointers please feel free to pass along some wisdom.
I've simplified my gun collection to my basic three food groups when it comes to ammo. That is 9mm, 5.56 and 7.62. I may decide to add another as this build evolves but for now I'm looking at the good old .308.
I have three kids so my build is going to be on the low budget side, but not junk. So far this is what I'm looking at:
Stevens 200 w/t .308 bolt face as the action. Tried and true ol' Savage action.
E.R. Shaw varmint profile barrel, 18.5", threaded 5/8"-24 tpi.
McMillan M40/HTG stock, woodland camo molded in.
CDI bottom metal.
SSS recoil lug.
Oversize bolt handle.
Short Harris Bipod w/t Raptor feet.
Dednutz base/rings combo.
Burris Fullfield Tactical 3x9-40mm, Green.
Rifle Basix Trigger.
3 AI 5rd. and 2 AI 10rd.
Like I said before I'm wanting a reliable, general purpose bolt gun. I want it to be compact, accurate and rugged. I want to be able to grab it and hit the hills and navigate thick brush without fighting a long barrel. I want to be able to place shots out to around 400 yds and closer. I am a good shot with many years of shooting experience under my belt. But I know my limits and my needs. Given the terrain in which I live shots over 400 yds just isn't practical. A long range build will be for another day. For now I need something I can shoot rapid shots with inside the 400 yd mark.
This rifle will be bedded with Marine-Tex and will be given a nice coat of OD Alumahyde on all of the metal parts.
Now, if anyone has any suggestions or examples of a good general purpose rifle I'm all ears. I've always been a big semi-auto guy but my eyes were recently opened to the usefulness of a good, reliable bolt gun with detachable box mags.
I'm glad to be a member of the hide! I'm looking forward to building a few good bolt guns. I've trained and have all the gear I need for CQB and medium range shooting. Now I'm ready to branch out into the longer range stuff.
Thanks for reading and everyone enjoy your weekend!
