[Hatchett]

Over the last several months of my life, I've been fighting a bone disease that sort of snuck up on me. Aplastic anemia, whatever that means. It was a pretty tough period for me, but I'm happy to say it's over now. I got a bone marrow transplant, and am on the recovery. Right now, I'm basically waiting for my white blood cells to recover and until then, I'm mostly restricted to the inside of my house, and I can tell you that this gets pretty boring.

My dad, who suffered more through this than me, I think, keeps doing big things trying to find things for me to do to pass the time. He knows I'm into rifles. I can only handle very clean materials, for health reasons. I can't even go out to shoot. For my birthday says he's buying me a Dakota Arm 76 action from a friend, a quality blank barrel from Lilja, and a block of American walnut. I get all these things for free, but under the condition that he wants me to make the rifle out of them myself, and that means as much of it as I possibly can, including carving the stock myself, bedding the action myself, and possibly fitting/chambering the barrel. I'd really like to give this a try.

Any suggestions, advice? This is going to be a very long, ongoing project for me, since I've really got nothing else. Where should I start, what do I need to read about, etc.? Everyone here can help, as I've never done this before and am open to advice. I'm basically starting with nothing, here.

[cookhj]

there are plenty of books out there on gunsmithing, metal working and wood working (as pertaining to gun building). search the internet for them and start reading. i would also practice a lot with cheap wood blanks till you can do it well enough on a more expensive piece of wood. good luck and i hope you recover quick!

[Hatchett]

I'm a little unsure about the barrel as well...is it possible/a good idea to do without any experience, or would it be wiser to simply have the action barreled professionally? At the very least, I figure I could buy the barrel separately and at least have a local smith put it on. I've bought a couple of books and videos on the subject already. Any recommendations?
I figure I can probably sculpt the stock, as I have some experience with woodwork and have several woodworkers in the family, one who makes surfboards from blanks professionally. I've also bought a few books on this. If anyone can recommend something on this too, that'd be great.

This is basically what he's always done. When I asked for a computer a few years ago, he said I could have a top-of-the-line computer and gave me and gave me an empty case. When I ask for a car when I got my license, he gave me an empty shell of a car and a stripped engine. After I got through that second project, I figure I have the stamina for this.

[Jim Watson]

The one man shop pretty well died out with the Kentucky rifle.

Making a stock from a blank is a respectable career field all by itself these days.

I'd see if Dad would fix me up with a barrelled action and a good piece of walnut.

Get a Brownells catalog (the print CATALOG, it is much easier to browse than their website), they have tools and books on all phases of gunsmithing.

Or, if you have an artistic bent, look at some of the material on engraving.

[Sunray]

Geezuz, my upcoming road test for a semi licence seems kind of insignificant.
Since you have built a vehicle, does that mean that oils and solvents aren't a problem? Mind you, building a rifle isn't as big a deal. You do need some tools and they aren't used for anything else. Have the barrel installed by a smithy. Doing a stock from a blank is a long and involved process with hand tools. Wood dust a problem? Brownell's is definitely the place to start. They sell books and the tools.
Mind you, you really do not want to learn stock making with expensive wood. Find a hunk of birch.
Hatchett, you really are an inspiration. Thanks.

[Hatchett]

The vehicle was years ago when I got my license, not because I needed a project. I don't think I could do a car right now.

There will probably be certain materials I'll get help with handling or wear some gloves for. I'm putting a hepa-filter in the room I'll be working in, to give you an idea of where I'm at. I don't think buying lots of tools will be a problem. We love collecting tools in this house, even if we don't use them more than once. (still have a lot of tools from the car we'll never use again).

If I do just have someone barrel the action, would it be better to just send the action to someone like Hart who will barrel the action for me, or is there anything to gain by buying a blank and having a gunsmith thread/chamber it? I'm trying to "learn" as much at the same time as make a good rifle, keep in mind.

I think I'm pretty safe on the woodwork. Bacteria is the main worry. I might get someone to help with the sanding if the dust gets too bad, but I have plenty of that. I would, of course, do a few practice runs before I tried anything on any expensive wood.

[Wildalaska]

What caliber? is the barrel blank countoured? Short chambered..or no chambered?

By the way, how old are ya?

WildquestionsAlaska

[Hatchett]

I haven't actually decided on a caliber/barrel yet. I'm thinking about making a .300 Win Mag with a HV tapered barrel from one of the big manufacturers.

I'm 18, probably going on 19 by the time this is all finally over.

[Wildalaska]

OK you get a hold of me when you get your barrel and action

WildwewillgiveyouahandAlaska

[Hatchett]

Where would I get a short-chambered barrel in the caliber/taper I want for a Dakota 76? That actually sounds like something we might be able to do.