Where to start with a new build?

[DeadWoodDan]

I would like to start thinking and pricing what it would cost to build my own rifle. I'm thinking of something in the 20 cal. either the Tactical, Practical or VarTarg. Can't say that I have any smith's in my area that do a lot of custom work. This would be a first for me and not even sure how or where to begin? Was hoping some would share there thoughts....
Thanks
Kevin

 

[22BRGUY]

Select a cartridge for sure and bullet weight class...then the action and or barrel
Best Wishes on your build....you will find a lot of great help from the people here.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

All 3 of those chamberings will work in the same action, with the only issue being that a VarTarg will probably need to be a single shot. Meaning you either buy a single shot action, or put a single shot follower in the magazine of a repeater action.

When selecting an action, consider the stock, trigger, and other options that are available for it. Some actions have way more after market options than others.

In 20 cal, a 1 in 11" twist barrel will shoot everything from the Barnes 26gr Varmint Grenades, to some of the heavier 50gr bullets. 32gr to 40gr is where the 20 cals shine and those bullets can be found at much cheaper prices. If you plan to shoot a LOT of rounds, consider a 1 in 11" twist barrel and use a bullet in the 32-40gr range

Stock selection is basically personal preference. ie: What looks you like, what type of shooting you do and whether its being shot from a prone position or from a bench on bags. Whether or not you'll be hiking with the rifle much at all. If you plan on using a bipod? Etc...

A good economic way to build a nice semi custom rifle is to buy a cheap rifle chambered in 223, like a Remington 700, true the action up and re-barrel it, put a nice trigger on it. But if you plan on changing everything, including the stock, you may just want to buy a bare action.

If you want a really nice varmint rifle, a custom action with a Rem 700 footprint is a great place to start. Something like the Stiller Predator

 

[BenPerfected]

To start, my suggestion is to set a realistic budget. You not only need the gun, scope, etc but you will need all the tools and components necessary to do your reloading. Is your goal to just shoot occasionally or do you plan to compete in tournaments? The low side would be in $2000 range but you can easily spend $5000+.
Ben

 

[riverwolf1]

Before you do any costing, you should figure out exactly what discipline you want to shoot? Without defining use your just speaking in generalities. Custom built rifles are job specific these days both in stock configuration and caliber. There are specific items to deal with. You wouldn't build an "F" TR fifle and expect to also shoot it at a benchrest match, while you could shoot it you would not be far from the bottom of final results! Likewise you wouldn't use a benchrest rifle to shoot a tactical match. Once you chose a discipline, then find out via an eqipment list, what are the top shooters using, then put a wish list of parts together and price them out. Example; BR, BAT action, $1400.00. Jewell trigger $175.00 Stock McMillan $525.00, Kreiger Barrel $345.00, gunsmith to assemble componets $8-900.00? I hope you figure which direction you want to go. One additional piece of advice, find a match to observe in your area, and a mentor to help you, you will be miles ahead of others that don't!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Pretty sure a 20 VarTarg, 20 TAC, or 20 Practical isn't going to be a hunting or long range competition rifle fellas.

Common sense tells me that with those caliber selections, he wants to build a custom varmint or short range target rifle.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

DeadwoodDan,
I would also suggest to you an AR15 platform for the 20 Practical or 20 Tactical.

I just built a custom 20 Tactical on an AR15 for varmint hunting with a 20" Stainless bull barrel and Harrels Tactical muzzle brake. My first round of random load testing produced a 5 shot group of .490" at 100 yards. With tuning of that load and a little luck, I should be able to get the grouping down in the .3's or .2's

AR's have come a long ways and with a good custom barrel, they can be extremely accurate. The custom ARs can also be built at a cheaper price point than most custom bolt action rifles because with a little research and the purchase of a few new inexpensive tools, you can do all the work yourself.

 

[Shynloco]

Kevin,
Whenever I've bought a rifle or had one built, my first thoughts were directed toward the purpose for the rifle. You appear to have something in mind by already choosing a rather light weight caliber (20 Cal vs .338) and bullet weight. And something you might also want to consider is the delivery mechanism (bolt action, AR platform, magazine fed, etc). Next comes the cost factor which includes manufacturers of parts, barrel/barrel twist, etc. But in a sense, your purpose for the rifle/firearms helps determine how much you are willing to spend or how far you are willing to go in your searches. Once you've found your "groove/purpose," the rest starts to fall in place and the search for a Gunsmith enters into consideration and who you trust to get you that rifle you want. I try and seek out opinions and help from others who've been down the road with a specific caliber so as to learn the shortcomings or pitfalls so I have a more realistic idea of what it's gonna take to get where I wanted to go. So take it slow and easy, but have fun in figuring out your puzzle.

Alex

 

[DeadWoodDan]

All good advice and hoping to get more this weekend at local shoot. Will say I've never really participated in competition, mostly shoot out my back door and in woods. Work with a small group of guys who have been inviting me to go PD hunting and guess I am hoping to build/purchase something to use for that and maybe the possibility of bench rest if only to shoot at home. I haven't made time for competing and have recently found a club close by that puts on events every-weekend, mostly minor compared to those on this board and military events, more for fun but competitive non the less.

At this point really thinking the Practical will fit my needs and budget. Really like the Vartarg, but brass seems expensive to me? With that being said I do own a couple AR platforms, both Rock River and one has there two stage trigger, 20" S.S. tube and I built hoping to get 1/2" groups, just never got there...Yet. I would like to stay with a bolt action though as I am finding more and more I enjoy those more.

As all have said, I really need to do some more thinking and ask more questions before diving in. Thank you for clearing my head,

Kevin