Action for Custom Build

Where is the best place to get an action for a short bolt action custom build?
Just the action only?
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First what action are you wanting to build off or based on? Remington and Savage are the most common. Savage actions are very easy to build on because they use a barrel nut to secure the barrel to the action so head space can be adjusted simply by how much or less you screw the barrel into the receiver once head space is correct you simply tighten the barrel nut. All you need is a Savage barrel nut wrench and a set of Go/NoGo gauges in the correct cartridge for the barrel. Remingtons are not nearly that easy once the barrel in screwed into the receiver you have to set head space by reaming or cutting the chamber until you reach the proper head space if you screw up and go over the barrel has to be re shouldered or machined again.
 
I still think you're still better off buying a beater from a pawn shop unless you already own a donor. A new action is going to cost you $400-$600. You can buy a brand new Savage or Remington 10 or 700 for less than that. A used gun from a pawnshop can often be found in the proper bolt face for $200-$300. You can sell the stock and barrel and recover $100-$200 depending. The gunsmith is going to refinish and replace any worn parts anyway.
 
Depends on what you want in a custom build. Most would want a gunsmith to blueprint the action and drop in a better trigger, which is going to add significantly to the cost of the action. The Extreme and Ultimate PTG actions are already good to go in this regard.

Ask your gunsmith about his cost to true up an action, and look into what bottom metal, trigger, mag, and a rail will cost. Those are costs we don't often think about, but they're significant. After adding it all up, you'll see the PTG combos are quite a deal.
 
Stevens, Savage, Remington, and I agree with pawnshop rifles because of the saved cash can be spent elsewhere in the process.
 
You have provided about zero information on what type of rifle you want, where you want start, etc. I think Brownell's and other supply houses sell modern actions from various manufacturers. Check Gunbroker auctions.

The last rifle I built was on a commercial CZ M98 action that I bought NiB on Gunbroker for $245. About $350 later it looks like this.


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Do any of the gun shops in your area sell old milsurp actions?

There is a gun shop where I come from that has old British P-14 and Spanish Mauser actions. P-14 is $100 I believe and the Mauser actions are $150. He might even have a few Springfield 03 barreled actions but I think he wants more for them. $300 or so.

You might consider an action off an old chopped up or sporterized military rifle that could be had in the under $200 range.
 
Call Accurate Ordinance, They blueprinted my Remington 700 308 cal. Installed a M24 5R Rock Creek barrel & installed and timed the muzzle break from my old barrel to the new, all in 4 weeks. They sell actions, They do great work.
 
$1500 for a Surgeon short action action only......WOW I know they are nice, but holy cow at what point are you just paying for the name and the idea of I got a custom action made by Surgeon. I am not knocking anyone that chooses to go that route I just think shooting 1/2 MOA can be done for a lot l less money.
 
I guess to each his own, but I really do not see where the PTG combo is all that great of a deal. You can buy the rifle for what they want for the non blue printed action. I can blueprint the action myself, or I can sub it out to a Smith who will do them for me for $100. I know how good my action jobs are. I know how good his are. There are vastly different levels of "blue printing" an action. What most people call "blue printing" only takes about 15 minutes on a good lathe. What I call blue printing takes about 3 hours.
 
Actually what I had in mind of building was something resembling this.
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If you want to build a handgun, then your choices will be severely limited - and generally much more expensive.

Your best bet is Brownell's. Otherwise, to try some of the dozen or so "manufacturers" that buy basic Savage or Remington actions in bulk.

Because, as you're probably aware, if you use a receiver that has already been assembled as a rifle, the only way to turn it into a handgun is by filing your paperwork, writing a check, waiting 8-18 months, and hoping that your SBR stamp gets approved. And, only after it's approved, can you move forward with the build.



If it doesn't have to be a handgun, then the cheapest and easiest thing to get right now is a Marlin X7. The .243 and .308 (XS7) versions are not difficult to find for $240-260, brand new. If you want a .223 bolt face, they're around $300 for a new rifle -- or you can just swap the face on a .243/.308 bolt for about $40.
The long actions are the biggest bargain. Last week, I picked up another XL7 in .270 Win for $205. (I just turned my 3rd X7 into a .35 Whelen with an ER Shaw 'prefit' Savage barrel.)

The outer profile is that of a Winchester Model 70, but the action is machined from bar stock and uses a separate recoil lug (not integral).
Internally, it's a bit closer to a Remington 700.
But the barrels are installed with a barrel nut like a Savage.
And, probably not coincidentally, Marlin used the same threads as Savage. So, Savage small shank barrel nuts and barrels thread right in. (Though Marlin used a better bolt head design which means that the shank on some barrels manufactured for Savage actions may be up to 0.010" too long to headspace without 'facing' the breech.)
 
Mac's Gun Works out of Gillette, WY also makes custom actions for competition pistols and rifles. 1-307-685-3373 macsgunworks.com
 
Palmetto-Pride said:
$1500 for a Surgeon short action action only......WOW I know they are nice, but holy cow at what point are you just paying for the name and the idea of I got a custom action made by Surgeon. I am not knocking anyone that chooses to go that route I just think shooting 1/2 MOA can be done for a lot l less money.
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have you had the opportunity of running one? it would be like driving a finally tuned Ferrari 458 or 911... there's a difference and when I say butter smooth I mean butter smooth. yes it's worth it! if you have the money
 
I went through this a few years ago, looking for a Rem 700 log action for a LR rig, ended up hitting every pawn shop and little gun store in a 50 mile radius over a few months, and never found anything that fit my needs.

Ended up buying a brand new 700 ADL in .30-06 from Wal-Mart. I was able to sell off the barrel and recoup some of the expense. Still have the plastic stock in the garage somewhere.
 
When I was thinking of making a rifle a few years ago, I gave a drive by to local pawns then scoped out short actions on Gunbroker for a few weeks.

You might end up buying new, but most hunting rifles are mightily under-utilized minus a few weeks in the fall, so they are generally in good shape for not a lot of $.

Good luck with the project.
 
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