How do I build a sporter?

[Babalouie]

I really enjoy tinkering and building. I've completely rebuilt my AR and I'm looking for another project. I would like to end up with a rifle chambered in 260 Rem. So, what do I start with? Do I buy a cheap Mauser and rebarrel, restock, retrigger and refinish it? Can you convert a receiver for a different caliber? Any thoughts are welcome.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Do I buy a cheap Mauser and rebarrel, restock, retrigger and refinish it?

You can but you'll end up spending way more money than what a modern rifle will cost ya.

If I were you I would by a stevens 200 for $250 and then order a Shillen or pac-nor 260 barrel for it and swap it out yourself.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=482505&t=11082005

 

[brian923]

ditto. if a stevens headspaces like a savage, which i think it does, is a piece of cake. with headspace gauges, a barrel wrench, and general "know what the heck your doing' you can swap out a barrel at home. new triggers and stocks are also availible. these make for really nice guns to learn on. not to much mponey involved for a "whoops"

i am using an old savage 110 in 30-06 to build a new shooter in 7 rem mag. i am starting buy blueprinting the action, and turning down a used benchrest barrel i got for 35 bucks. if all works out, i will continue by buying a new stock and donig a trigger job.

if you want to do a 260 rem. make it easy on yourelf and find a rifle that is already cham,bered for a .308. or even a long action in 30-06. just make shure that the bolt head is a .308 dimension bolt head. if its not, its not the end of the world, but its just easier.

i have done a rebuild on a turk mauser, and its already cost more then i have in my savage build. and all i have done to it so far is a stock, trigger and safety. i am going to keep going as i believe that the mauser action is awsome, but i think that the logistical thing to do is the newer type actions. like the savage or stevens.

 

[gcrookston]

The formula for building a good cheap sporter is start with a $400.00 Surplus rifle. Spend $300.00 on customizing (or more). The final result is a $200.00 sporter. It seems to work almost every time.

 

[JG2000]

If you look around you can find a Mauser action for less then $100, around $85 at most places online. Midway has a ton of stuff for the 98 Mauser and the more work you can do yourself the less money you will spend on a gunsmith. I say go for it theres just something about shooting a rifle you built.

 

[JesseL]

I hate to sound discouraging, but it really is hard to make sense of building a sporter. I did okay with mine because my grandfather was a gunsmith and I've inherited his tools and machine shop.

To build up a nice sporter from a bare Mauser action, you're looking at needing the use of a lathe, drill press, mill, action wrench, barrel vise, welder, and too many hand tools to list. That or you'll basically be paying a smith to build your rifle for you.

To build a basic sporter out of a Mauser action involves, in no particular order:

• Reshaping the bolt handle for scope clearance
• Modifying the safety for scope clearance
• Mounting and headspacing the barrel
• Drilling and tapping the receiver for scope mounts
• Inletting a stock to fit the action
• Finishing the stock, it it's wood
• Finishing the metal
• Bedding the stock

Building your own rifle is very rewarding, but it's not a minor commitment. Take a look over at http://www.mausercentral.com/ for more info.

Of course you can always just get a Mosin, put it in a Ramline sporter stock, and put a scout scope on it.

 

[brian923]

mosin's make for a really nice looking sporter also. i didnt even think of them. you can buy a scope base kit that comes with the nessisary tools and pieces that allow you to also install a bent style bolt handle. they are good shooters, and the 7.62x54r cartridge is a good one. you will need a drill press and a good vise for the work though.

 

[Babalouie]

Sorry, double post.

 

[Babalouie]

Thanks for the responses, very informative. I can do mechanical, wood work and basic drill and tap...can't do milling or metal turning. So Mauser is out. However, if I start with a 308 or 7mm08 "parent" receiver then all I have to do is swap out a 260 barrel?

 

[JesseL]

However, if I start with a 308 or 7mm08 "parent" receiver then all I have to do is swap out a 260 barrel?

Yep. As long as the bolt face is the same diameter and the action is long enough to accommodate the cartridge, a barrel swap is all is takes to change calibers. A short action with a "standard" (as opposed to "magnum", or .222 family) bolt face should easily handle .22-250, .243 Win, .260 Rem, 7mm-08, .308 Win, 338 Federal, and 358 Win.

 

[planetmobius]

American Gunsmithing Institute has a great video set on how to create a first class rifle from a surplus Mauser. I bought it a while back with the intent to start my own project but never got around to it. I watched the videos and found them to be comprehensive. I think that the value of the finished product will depend opn how much effort and detail you put into it. Besides, monetary concerns aren't the only thing to consider. Maybe you just want something to keep you entertained for a while and finally a rifle you can point to and say, "I did that".