First custom rifle build

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Defiance, ARC, Bighorn, Mausingfield... I always believe if you’re going to go custom, actually go custom, instead of spending a whole lot of money to make a factory action cost as much as a custom...

Then again, I did spend a buttload of money doing basically this same project with a pair of Ruger M77 Hawkeye All-Weathers for my wife and I as semi-custom hunting rifles, but I readily acknowledge no part of this activity has been sensible, in large part due to the poor choice of actions, rather than using proper custom actions.
 
My 1st was a 40x single shot action 24" Shilen #5 ss barrel, Jewel trigger 2oz tight neck 6mm Rem 1-14 twist in McMillian Kevlar stock pilliar bedded, also my almost BEST. *x32 Leupold scope in Kelby Rings and Jewel bases.
Next came my 6mm necked down to 22 cal (22/6mm) or 22 TTH tight neck Shilen DGA single shot action jewel trigger rest same as listed, my #1 best. 1:10 twist 26" SS fluted

Both Shilen built
 
Varminterror said:
I always believe if you’re going to go custom, actually go custom, instead of spending a whole lot of money to make a factory action cost as much as a custom...

Then again, I did spend a buttload of money doing basically this same project with a pair of Ruger M77 Hawkeye
Click to expand...

Same same. Isn’t that the nature of a custom build?
 
My #1 negative with my customs is wearing them out as they shot so well! In my lifetime I have built almost all the 6mm Aclkeys and 1 22-250 AI on a 700 action single shotted. I still have some 6mm Ackley dies if anyone looking for some.
 
On the topic of custom rifles anyone ever customize or rechambered a savage axis I’ve got one that’s been sat aside for years now and I’m looking to make a custom rifle out of it.
 
The_shooter said:
On the topic of custom rifles anyone ever customize or rechambered a savage axis I’ve got one that’s been sat aside for years now and I’m looking to make a custom rifle out of it.
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Started down that path a while ago with a friend of mine....
He ended up just buying a factory custom rather than continuing with the project, but we had it pretty well mapped out.

Personally where I to use an Axis action I'll be building a chassis rifle. That would make the unsightliness of the action a little less obvious and get rid of the horrible magazine system. It would also highlight the advantages of the Axis. Easy barrel swaps and generally good accuracy.

It would also be best to stick with a standard or smaller cartridge size, as adapting a magnum bolt head to the axis rifle take some work.
I would also stick with a longer chambering I think most likely a 280AI Just because you're already dealing with a long action.
 
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STI said:
My #1 negative with my customs is wearing them out as they shot so well! In my lifetime I have built almost all the 6mm Aclkeys and 1 22-250 AI on a 700 action single shotted. I still have some 6mm Ackley dies if anyone looking for some.
Click to expand...
I have both and love them
 
You can make a rifle that shoots the the lights out with a factory action but it needs to be blueprinted. You can start with a custom action and skip that part, but I would rather have a pj action and 3BBBs than a factory custom, barrel bedding Bullets
 
LoonWulf said:
Started down that path a while ago with a friend of mine....
He ended up just buying a factory custom rather than continuing with the project, but we had it pretty well mapped out.

Personally where I to use an Axis action I'll be building a chassis rifle. That would make the unsightliness of the action a little less obvious and get rid of the horrible magazine system. It would also highlight the advantages of the Axis. Easy barrel swaps and generally good accuracy.

It would also be best to stick with a standard or smaller cartridge size, as adapting a magnum bolt head to the axis rifle take some work.
I would also stick with a longer chambering I think most likely a 280AI Just because you're already dealing with a long action.
Click to expand...
So 280AI would work in the axis with a barrel swap I searched up the magazine dimensions and it’s 2.9-3.00 in length and supposedly all the axis have a long action.
 
I tried a Stolle action right bolt left port and loved that one but sold it it was a 6mm Ackley deadly accurate. Sold that to get a C Hammond 6BR on a single shot 40x action with a Jewel trigger it is probably my #2 most accurate rifle Vari x 3 8x32 scope
 
Varminterror said:
Defiance, ARC, Bighorn, Mausingfield... I always believe if you’re going to go custom, actually go custom, instead of spending a whole lot of money to make a factory action cost as much as a custom...

Then again, I did spend a buttload of money doing basically this same project with a pair of Ruger M77 Hawkeye All-Weathers for my wife and I as semi-custom hunting rifles, but I readily acknowledge no part of this activity has been sensible, in large part due to the poor choice of actions, rather than using proper custom actions.
Click to expand...
I hear Kelby Atlas actions are top notch also
 
South Prairie Jim said:
Why would anybody start a semi custom rifle build using a Savage Axis action ?
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I would look at it on the cheap. A rebarrel and a Boyds closeout stock, add a spring kit. A 110 action would be a better option if you are investing a larger chunk of funds. The cartridge IMO would need to be something that I just can't buy over the counter.
 
@The_shooter can't wait to see what you end up with. You definitely have the right bunch of members chiming in on the thread.

A custom rifle is something that I have dreamed about for a long time. I think that I'm going to use my first Social Security checks to fund the rifle. @.308 Norma told me that is how he ended up with his .308 Norma when he retired. I will have a rebarrel project before that on my Weatherby Mark V action.

Good luck with your project and have fun doing it!!!
 
South Prairie Jim said:
Why would anybody start a semi custom rifle build using a Savage Axis action ?
Click to expand...
Usually because they have them and can't get rid of them for a reasonable price. The basic action is pure savage. It's cheap, clunky, and rough around the edges, Even compared to savages 10 110 series. But they tend to function well and seem to hold all the necessary bits and pieces in good alignment.
They gun my buddy was working with just got shoved into the back of his gun case when he bought a nicer rifle, and probably is never going to see the light of day again. If he gives me the chance to buy it for what I consider a reasonable cost I'll probably build something on it.
 
If I were building the perfect all around rifle for everything in North America and most of the world I'd not change a thing about this.



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A 1999 Winchester SS Classic 30-06 in a McMillan Edge stock with a 3-9X40 Zeiss Conquest. It weighs 7 1/2 lbs as it sits and shoots better than I can hold it. IMO the Winchester Classics made from 1994-2006 were the best Winchesters ever made, and that includes the pre-64's. The new Winchester models are pretty good too, but I prefer the old style simple rugged trigger used on the older guns.

It may never be a factor, but I still trust CRF on a hunting rifle used in harsh conditions. Under "normal" circumstances PF works just as well, but if you're dealing with mud, sand, ice and snow a CRF rifle is going to keep functioning longer.

Mine is 30-06, which is pretty mundane, but I can load it with 130-220 gr bullets and use it on everything, anywhere, at any reasonable range. With the SS and quality synthetic stock weight is reasonable and I don't worry about any weather conditions.

Wood can be just as accurate, but I'd not recommend it on a do everything rifle. As weather conditions and altitude change wood contracts and expands. Accuracy may still be good, but POI is very likely to change. On a rifle that you travel to hunt with this can be an issue. If I travel to CO to hunt at 10,000' elevation in 20 degree temps and 10% humidity my POI will be different than in GA at 1000' elevation, 80 degrees and 80% humidity if using a wood stock. Not an issue with synthetic.
 
Ok so for every one new to the discussion I was trying to get ideas for a custom rifle with control feed 3postion safety and in 30-06 then that got me thinking about and old savage axis I have and how i should try and customize it
 
LoonWulf said:
Usually because they have them and can't get rid of them for a reasonable price. The basic action is pure savage. It's cheap, clunky, and rough around the edges, Even compared to savages 10 110 series. But they tend to function well and seem to hold all the necessary bits and pieces in good alignment.
They gun my buddy was working with just got shoved into the back of his gun case when he bought a nicer rifle, and probably is never going to see the light of day again. If he gives me the chance to buy it for what I consider a reasonable cost I'll probably build something on it.
Click to expand...
Is that the one with the two piece firing pin spring ?
( quote) what could possibly go wrong with that...lol
 
South Prairie Jim said:
Is that the one with the two piece firing pin spring ?
( quote) what could possibly go wrong with that...lol
Click to expand...
Yeah there's been a number post about issues with the axis and those two piece springs....... Or at least the axis and not setting off primers reliably.
Still though, while it may be a possible issue They don't seem to do it all that often considering how many are out there.
 
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