Recommend a "project rifle"
- Thread starter mainecoon
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GAMEOVER44
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Whats your purpose for intended rifle? I have a 2014 Ruger G.S.R. originally chambered in 308 converted to a 358 with Shillen Match Grade barrel and all the bells/whistles for all my North American game needs. Depends on what you need.
OldBrownDog
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An older Mauser action would be my choice. Build it up into a nice sporter with a bent bolt handle, side-swing M70 style safety, maybe a new chambering/barrel, bed it into a nice stick of walnut. Plenty of Yugo M24/47's that are no longer in original military configuration you could start with.
Sunray
Member
"...sort of historical value..." Would lose that if you do anything to it.
"...that are no longer in original military configuration you could start with..." Any Bubba'd milsurp.
"...that are no longer in original military configuration you could start with..." Any Bubba'd milsurp.
carbine85
Member
There are a lot of Yugo M48 Mausers out there to play with. I have a shooter that I play around with. The Mosin Nagant is a good cheap rifle to work with. They can be a challenge to get them to shoot good and get the actions smooth.
Word of caution about the Mausers - The triggers shouldn't be messed with if you don't know what you are doing. The trigger, cocking and safety all work together. You have to be carefull.
There are lot of sporters out there that need to be restore. You might try one those if your up to it.
Word of caution about the Mausers - The triggers shouldn't be messed with if you don't know what you are doing. The trigger, cocking and safety all work together. You have to be carefull.
There are lot of sporters out there that need to be restore. You might try one those if your up to it.
threoh8
Member
A previously sporterized Mauser or Springfield can be interesting to work, and rewarding if the earlier work wasn't done especially well. Restore it if you like, or change the nature of the sporterization.
Deus Machina
Member
I kind of had the same idea a while back. I suggest doing what I did, and hit up a gun show with an open eye. Nudge aside those flashy new rifles and get to the dusty tables at back until you find something that catches your eye but looks like it's been in an attic a few decades. You can occasionally find a Box O' Gun and have at it, if you're a little handy.
In my case, I left with a Carcano. Dusty, obscure, thought it would be fun. $45 later--including the rifle itself!--and it's working again. Actually a little upset that all it needed was removing the plug in the magazine slot and a new mag to fill it. Now if I can just figure out its feed problem to get it back to 100%...
In my case, I left with a Carcano. Dusty, obscure, thought it would be fun. $45 later--including the rifle itself!--and it's working again. Actually a little upset that all it needed was removing the plug in the magazine slot and a new mag to fill it. Now if I can just figure out its feed problem to get it back to 100%...
You didn't specify caliber, but a lot of guys have made "project" rifles out of perfectly good Lee Enfields, chambered in .303Brit. Ditch the old wood for new (or synthetic), cut the barrel back, and then scope it using one of the aftermarket mounts that replaces the rear sight. Trigger work if it needs it - project completed. How much historic value remains in the stick will, of course, depend on what's left after your basement-Bubba job.
Many have similarly modified the old 1903 Springfields, especially when they've gotten them on the cheap because the original barrel's all rusted & pitted up and/or shot out. The 1903s, like M1 Garands, are easy enough to re-barrel, and inexpensive, excellent-condition '06 replacement barrels are readily available from the CMP. I've even see a few at local Fun Shows where the front handguard was replaced and a "scout-scope" set-up was installed. Aftermarket triggers that fit 1903 actions are available as well, like the Timmney's.
In fact, many times at the local Fun Shows it seems like at least a third of the tables were littered with somebody's no-longer-needed "project" rifle. Prices vary, of course, but you might see one that's already set up the way you want and in the caliber you prefer, and for a price that's cheaper than if you bought a rifle separately and started the Bubba-project from scratch.
Officers'Wife
Member
If you want a rifle on the cheap your best bet is to check the household auctions. Many times when an honored elder will pass away the children or grandchildren will convert as many of his possessions to cash as quickly as possible.
Some years ago an unnamed idiot that shall remain my brother bought a little slide action .22 that Dad calls a Winchester Gallery rifle. The idiot cleaned the wood, got a million years of gunk out of the action and spent an entire winter season not getting into mischief. The machine now looks about how it did when it left the factory and still accurate enough to bring home a rabbit or two.
Some years ago an unnamed idiot that shall remain my brother bought a little slide action .22 that Dad calls a Winchester Gallery rifle. The idiot cleaned the wood, got a million years of gunk out of the action and spent an entire winter season not getting into mischief. The machine now looks about how it did when it left the factory and still accurate enough to bring home a rabbit or two.
Badlander
Member
I have done A few project guns. The gun usually chooses me. I will spot some derelict gun in A pawn shop or A customers garage or attic and it just calls out to me to save it.
Mainecoon;
If it's a project gun, the two most obvious candidates are an AR platform and a Ruger 10/22. Both have over 50 years of history, and either can be built and re-built till he!! won't have 'em. That's if the project aspect of the itch is first on the list.
However, if the historical itch is the biggest determinator, then the field gets pretty wide open. There's all sorts of things that come to mind, possibilities abound!
Find a pre-64 Winchester model 94 and return it as close as possible to the original 1894 configuration. Or, perhaps, turn it into the rifle, not the saddle carbine. If you want to work with a Mauser, find a VZ24 (Czech action) and you can do about anything possible with it, except putting the bolt on the left hand side of the action. If you want a sweetheart that only requires love and attention, not major surgery, get an original 6.5mm Swedish Mauser. Or just find a Kimber of Oregon gun and leave it alone. If you ever make public that you "heavily modified" one of those, it's entirely possible that you could have the torchlight parade scene from the Frankenstein movie re-enacted in your own front yard.
Have fun!
900F
If it's a project gun, the two most obvious candidates are an AR platform and a Ruger 10/22. Both have over 50 years of history, and either can be built and re-built till he!! won't have 'em. That's if the project aspect of the itch is first on the list.
However, if the historical itch is the biggest determinator, then the field gets pretty wide open. There's all sorts of things that come to mind, possibilities abound!
Find a pre-64 Winchester model 94 and return it as close as possible to the original 1894 configuration. Or, perhaps, turn it into the rifle, not the saddle carbine. If you want to work with a Mauser, find a VZ24 (Czech action) and you can do about anything possible with it, except putting the bolt on the left hand side of the action. If you want a sweetheart that only requires love and attention, not major surgery, get an original 6.5mm Swedish Mauser. Or just find a Kimber of Oregon gun and leave it alone. If you ever make public that you "heavily modified" one of those, it's entirely possible that you could have the torchlight parade scene from the Frankenstein movie re-enacted in your own front yard.
Have fun!
900F
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