Hi all
I am thinking of embarking on my first rifle build up project to keep my hands busy. My current thoughts are towards a .308 target rifle built on a Mauser. I'm sure that many of you have done this already but this would be mine. So far in my head I am thinking of a Turk action, with a 22in barrel, Timny trigger, Buehler type safety and a Richards thumbhole target laminated stock. No idea on the scope yet. Note that I do not yet know all the things that may be involved here, and some steps will be done by a gunsmith as I dont trust myself to install a barrel nor do I have the tools for it.
So here are my questions:
1) Are the Turks good enough? I know that most prefer the VZ-24 but I cant seem to bring myself to bucher one while the beat up Turks wouldnt "hurt" as much
2) What is involved in getting the shorter .308 to cycle well in that maw of an action?
3) Does anyone have some links to similar projects where I could hunt for inspiration?
4) When it comes to forging the bolt, is this something I should attempt or should I have a professional do it? Has anyone tried the pear shaped bolt knobs that Brownell's sells and what do you think of them?
5) I wonder if there is a way to convert it to a removable box setup? maybe around some of the modern CZ magazines? If not what are your opinions on making the floorplate easier to handle? Again, Brownell's carries same extended buttons, anyone know how well they work?
6) This would be a long range project for financial reasons, so what do you think would be the most fun upgrade path?
8) I'm considering the .308 because ammo seems to be cheaper and components plentiful. Is this a wrong option for the Mauser action and if so should I consider a different caliber?
9) Have I made any mistaken assumptions so far?
Any advice you may have would be greatly appreciated. I am a newbie at this and in fact I dont have a lot of experience with rifles in general. This whole project was spawned from the desire to own a really nice bolt action but for the most part the commercial ones seem to lack something for me. I figured something I built and nurtured would be more fun anyway and I can shoot my 98k until this one is done.
Loch
I am thinking of embarking on my first rifle build up project to keep my hands busy. My current thoughts are towards a .308 target rifle built on a Mauser. I'm sure that many of you have done this already but this would be mine. So far in my head I am thinking of a Turk action, with a 22in barrel, Timny trigger, Buehler type safety and a Richards thumbhole target laminated stock. No idea on the scope yet. Note that I do not yet know all the things that may be involved here, and some steps will be done by a gunsmith as I dont trust myself to install a barrel nor do I have the tools for it.
So here are my questions:
1) Are the Turks good enough? I know that most prefer the VZ-24 but I cant seem to bring myself to bucher one while the beat up Turks wouldnt "hurt" as much
2) What is involved in getting the shorter .308 to cycle well in that maw of an action?
3) Does anyone have some links to similar projects where I could hunt for inspiration?
4) When it comes to forging the bolt, is this something I should attempt or should I have a professional do it? Has anyone tried the pear shaped bolt knobs that Brownell's sells and what do you think of them?
5) I wonder if there is a way to convert it to a removable box setup? maybe around some of the modern CZ magazines? If not what are your opinions on making the floorplate easier to handle? Again, Brownell's carries same extended buttons, anyone know how well they work?
6) This would be a long range project for financial reasons, so what do you think would be the most fun upgrade path?
8) I'm considering the .308 because ammo seems to be cheaper and components plentiful. Is this a wrong option for the Mauser action and if so should I consider a different caliber?
9) Have I made any mistaken assumptions so far?
Any advice you may have would be greatly appreciated. I am a newbie at this and in fact I dont have a lot of experience with rifles in general. This whole project was spawned from the desire to own a really nice bolt action but for the most part the commercial ones seem to lack something for me. I figured something I built and nurtured would be more fun anyway and I can shoot my 98k until this one is done.
Loch