Building a Rifle on a Tight Budget

[BeeMaa]

I was going to say that I won the stock at the Broken Heel festival but I don’t attend and Bob might be the only one I know who has.

It’s my wife’s, honestly. Truth be known I would like to put that 7x64 in a nice timber stock for Me!

That B&C stock is a beauty…except the color. Certainly won’t absorb moisture and capable of taking years of abuse.

Why can’t she have it in a wood stock? My bride would have me strung from the nearest tree if I gave her a rifle with a pink stock. She demands a proper timber stock for her R8.

 

[CBH Australia]

That B&C stock is a beauty…except the color. Certainly won’t absorb moisture and capable of taking years of abuse.

Why can’t she have it in a wood stock? My bride would have me strung from the nearest tree if I gave her a rifle with a pink stock. She demands a proper timber stock for her R8.

It came in a factory Tupperware stock.
She likes the Pretty Pink stock. I like the feel of the Alloy bedded B&C

I would like a nice bolt rifle with high grade Walnut. No reason you can’t have that on a Blaser too.

I want everything but most of all I want to get out more.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen - After seeing the rifle @CBH Australia has here, I’ll be issuing a cease and desist on you calling my R8 “Barbie”.

Apologies to the OP for the detour.

@BeeMaa
NEVER you are the original Barbie gun owner and always will be.
Others pale into insignificance in you presence when it comes to your adoration and loving care you bestow on Barbie.
Others can only dream of your passion.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Bob

 

[steve white]

Build on a budget...but for the price of the barrel you listed, you could just buy a T3X Tikka...

 

[WI-2021]

Wow, I see that this thread has drifted from budget builds to Blasers, to Barbie rifles while I've been drifting around the Caribbean! What I'm unclear on is whether @BeeMaa or @CBH Australia is the Original Safari Barbie; there can be only one after all.

As for my budget build, the pile of parts is growing. The B&C stock, trigger, floorplate, magazine box, spring, and follower, suppressor mount (can't call it a muzzle brake!) and scope bases are here. The action, and a lefty Manners stock for another build, are finally on their way and should arrive tomorrow. So far, everything has impressed me for the price paid. I'll be giving more consideration to choosing a barrel after Christmas.

On a side note, it's rather odd that this budget .375 project came about as a result of me finding a left-handed Manners T4A in stock for an entirely different rifle. I may have a problem, but I'm certain I've come to the right place for help. By the time this thread is done, I'll probably have the budget .375, a Blaser with a bunch of barrels, my very own Barbie rifle, and maybe even the target rifle I was originally planning on building!

 

[BeeMaa]

@WI-2021 - I have the original Barbie rifle. The name bestowed on my synthetic stocked Blaser R8 373H&H by @Bob Nelson 35Whelen...and I couldn't be more proud of it.

Sounds like you have a good start on your rifle. Good luck with the build.

 

[CBH Australia]

Wow, I see that this thread has drifted from budget builds to Blasers, to Barbie rifles while I've been drifting around the Caribbean! What I'm unclear on is whether @BeeMaa or @CBH Australia is the Original Safari Barbie; there can be only one after all.

As for my budget build, the pile of parts is growing. The B&C stock, trigger, floorplate, magazine box, spring, and follower, suppressor mount (can't call it a muzzle brake!) and scope bases are here. The action, and a lefty Manners stock for another build, are finally on their way and should arrive tomorrow. So far, everything has impressed me for the price paid. I'll be giving more consideration to choosing a barrel after Christmas.

On a side note, it's rather odd that this budget .375 project came about as a result of me finding a left-handed Manners T4A in stock for an entirely different rifle. I may have a problem, but I'm certain I've come to the right place for help. By the time this thread is done, I'll probably have the budget .375, a Blaser with a bunch of barrels, my very own Barbie rifle, and maybe even the target rifle I was originally planning on building!

Sorry about the derail,
Sounds like you have big plans and things are coming together for you.

Merry Christmas from down under.

 

[Philip Glass]

Not an inexpensive option, but the Blaser R8 Professional/Professional Success are completely ambidextrous and available in 375H&H. The R8 is a push-feed rifle, but I've cycled them upside-down several times and they don't drop cartridges. They are priced more in line with your Defiance rifles, and like those...you will get what you pay for.

It seems everyone I know has custom rifles but state that a Blaser is too expensive. Strange isn't it?

 

[Philip Glass]

I hear many are starting with a Tikka for an inexpensive rifle build.

 

[WI-2021]

Sorry about the derail,
Sounds like you have big plans and things are coming together for you.

Merry Christmas from down under.

No problem, derails are often interesting. Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[WI-2021]

It seems everyone I know has custom rifles but state that a Blaser is too expensive. Strange isn't it?

There are certainly different price points with Blasers, much like custom rifles. My customs have fallen at or below the lower end of Blaser pricing, but are certainly at the lower end of custom rifle pricing as well since they're all fiberglass or carbon fiber stocked Remclones. In terms of price, any of the walnut stocked Blasers blow my customs out of the water, but that's an apples and oranges comparison.

As compared to multiple custom rifles, the more basic Blaser and multiple barrels probably becomes the more cost effective option. I'm interested in gaining some experience with a Blaser at some point, but I'm not aware of any retailer near me that carries them, nor do I personally know anyone who owns one. I can't bring myself to drop that much money sight unseen. With my custom builds, I was at least able to handle and inspect similar components prior to committing. Lack of experience with the Blasers was one of the factors that pushed me toward building the Defiance .308 that started me down the custom rifle rabbit hole.

 

[WI-2021]

I hear many are starting with a Tikka for an inexpensive rifle build.

I considered starting with a Tikka as well. They do make a good rifle. That said, they're really not that much cheaper to build than the more budget-oriented Remclone actions and the aftermarket isn't quite as strong for them, particularly for the left-handed versions. One may save a few hundred dollars by using a Tikka action.

The main reasons that I chose the Remington 700 pattern over the Tikka were:

1. Limited options in left-handed Tikka stocks
2. Tikkas are detachable magazine only, I wanted a hinged floorplate
3. The Tikka safety locks the bolt. My preference is a 3-position safety, which I have on my Defiance. Second place is a safety that doesn't lock the bolt, as with the Remington 700 and most clones. I'd rather not have to take the rifle off safe to load/unload.

Stock options for right-handed Tikkas are significantly better than for left-handed. The magazine and safety are purely personal preference. If one prefers the features of the Tikka action, I think they'd be very happy with a custom build using one. One additional advantage is that by starting with a complete Tikka rifle, one has a functioning firearm from day 1 and can upgrade it at their leisure. With my builds, I just have a pile of parts until the last component shows up and I get it put together.

I do own a lefty Tikka T1x and am very happy with it. Since I primarily use it for practice, I'd prefer that it were more similar in features to my centerfires, but the only way I'm aware of to get a LH rimfire Remclone is to do a custom build on a Vudoo or RimX action. I haven't yet convinced myself to drop that much money on a .22.

 

[Inline6]

I hear many are starting with a Tikka for an inexpensive rifle build.

Like a Rem700, by the time you buy everything you would have been better off starting with a custom action to begin with. A Tikka will shoot, the is a fact. You are limited on choice of triggers. If your action needs to be trued, that much more you are in the hole.

If you are planning on going custom, go custom.

Have had custom actions with triggers that are very costly. Accuracy International Rifles and Sako. I really enjoy a 2 stage trigger system. My R8s are the only rifles that have single stage triggers. They are by far the best single stage trigger I have felt on a factory single stage trigger. They break clean every time. They are also one of the very few rated for the extreme temperatures.

 

[Philip Glass]

Like a Rem700, by the time you buy everything you would have been better off starting with a custom action to begin with. A Tikka will shoot, the is a fact. You are limited on choice of triggers. If your action needs to be trued, that much more you are in the hole.

If you are planning on going custom, go custom.

Have had custom actions with triggers that are very costly. Accuracy International Rifles and Sako. I really enjoy a 2 stage trigger system. My R8s are the only rifles that have single stage triggers. They are by far the best single stage trigger I have felt on a factory single stage trigger. They break clean every time. They are also one of the very few rated for the extreme temperatures.

So true on the R8 trigger. It really is amazing. I am a bit biased these days. From a hunting POV I don't see any advantage over the R8 from most custom rifles.

 

[Philip Glass]

I considered starting with a Tikka as well. They do make a good rifle. That said, they're really not that much cheaper to build than the more budget-oriented Remclone actions and the aftermarket isn't quite as strong for them, particularly for the left-handed versions. One may save a few hundred dollars by using a Tikka action.

The main reasons that I chose the Remington 700 pattern over the Tikka were:

1. Limited options in left-handed Tikka stocks
2. Tikkas are detachable magazine only, I wanted a hinged floorplate
3. The Tikka safety locks the bolt. My preference is a 3-position safety, which I have on my Defiance. Second place is a safety that doesn't lock the bolt, as with the Remington 700 and most clones. I'd rather not have to take the rifle off safe to load/unload.

Stock options for right-handed Tikkas are significantly better than for left-handed. The magazine and safety are purely personal preference. If one prefers the features of the Tikka action, I think they'd be very happy with a custom build using one. One additional advantage is that by starting with a complete Tikka rifle, one has a functioning firearm from day 1 and can upgrade it at their leisure. With my builds, I just have a pile of parts until the last component shows up and I get it put together.

I do own a lefty Tikka T1x and am very happy with it. Since I primarily use it for practice, I'd prefer that it were more similar in features to my centerfires, but the only way I'm aware of to get a LH rimfire Remclone is to do a custom build on a Vudoo or RimX action. I haven't yet convinced myself to drop that much money on a .22.

I sure agree with you on the magazine. A hunting rifle is better off without a detachable mag. The only complaint I have on the Tikka is the mag and its design. I am always worried Whether or not it is going to stay in there!

 

[Philip Glass]

There are certainly different price points with Blasers, much like custom rifles. My customs have fallen at or below the lower end of Blaser pricing, but are certainly at the lower end of custom rifle pricing as well since they're all fiberglass or carbon fiber stocked Remclones. In terms of price, any of the walnut stocked Blasers blow my customs out of the water, but that's an apples and oranges comparison.

As compared to multiple custom rifles, the more basic Blaser and multiple barrels probably becomes the more cost effective option. I'm interested in gaining some experience with a Blaser at some point, but I'm not aware of any retailer near me that carries them, nor do I personally know anyone who owns one. I can't bring myself to drop that much money sight unseen. With my custom builds, I was at least able to handle and inspect similar components prior to committing. Lack of experience with the Blasers was one of the factors that pushed me toward building the Defiance .308 that started me down the custom rifle rabbit hole.

One of the great things about visiting the SCI Convention in Nashville is the ability to handle guns like the R8. There are lots of them there!

 

[WI-2021]

One of the great things about visiting the SCI Convention in Nashville is the ability to handle guns like the R8. There are lots of them there!

I'd love to visit SCI or DSC some day. I sense that it could be a very expensive trip though!

 

[Philip Glass]

I'd love to visit SCI or DSC some day. I sense that it could be a very expensive trip though!

You've got that right! Seriously you just don't know what you are missing u til you go to the SCI Convention. It will change your perspective.

 

[WI-2021]

The action showed up, as did the Manners stock for the other build. So far things are fitting together fairly nicely. The ejection port in the stock will need to be opened up slightly, which isn't unexpected, as will the barrel channel, which i knew coming in. The scope bases will be a two piece Talley rail. It's pinned, and the pins will need to be shortened a bit, also minor. I won't worry about installing the trigger or scope bases until after the barrel is installed.

Finally, the Wyatt's follower catches the bolt face when the magazine is empty, so the bolt won't run forward. Not totally sure if this is a feature or a bug yet, but none of the other four custom builds, all with Wyatt's boxes and followers do this. I believe that some old military bolt actions were designed this way though. Regardless, I'll throw a slight chamfer on the follower so the bolt will close when empty without pushing the follower down.

It feeds the .375 Ruger rounds I have from the magazine. Of course, without a barrel, it deposits them in the barrel channel in the stock, so I really can't comment on feeding yet, other than to say that rounds don't hang up on the feed ramp. Out of the box, this action is the smoothest of the three I have from Pure Precision. I'm sure it will slick up nicely with use; the other two certainly did. It's not as smooth as my Defiance, nor did I expect it to be, but it is nicer than the Kauger I have on my .223.

I've pretty much decided to go with a 20" pre-fit from McGowan for the barrel. That said, I'm planning to use a Pac-Nor contour, either a #5 or #6, mainly because they have the best information on dimensions and weights on their website. I just need to take some measurements on the stock to make sure I'm comfortable with opening up the stock enough for a #6 and decide if I want the extra 1/3 lb of weight. My gunsmith said he's opened the B&C stocks up enough to fit a Sendero contour in the past so it shouldn't be a problem, but I'm anal retentive about these things. Using a #6 will make for a slightly porky .375, but it shouldn't be too bad with the barrel only being 20."

Please excuse the crappy pic.