stagpanther said:
I'm just now starting to consider semi-custom and custom actions--but have found getting one that matches my needs is about as easy as finding rifle primers..... I'm trying to "wean" myself from round-bottom actions, I still believe the model 70 or similar flat-bottomed action is one of the best ever designed (I like Ruger's take the 77 as well, and the bolt and safety are smoother than the model 70 IMO), if someone would make one of those that allowed for easy swap out of a controlled feed bolt I'd probably buy a dozen right off the bat
I've been considering custom receivers for quite some time as well. Just haven't taken the plunge into that world yet. Unfortunately you can't beat economics, and a round bottom receiver M700 clone is much cheaper to produce than a clone of a M70 or M77. I mean just look at the GMA M98 clones and they start around $3000 for just the action, and M700 clones start at $1000 +/-. If you go commercial actions such as the M70, M77, and M98 you are usually close to $1000 if not more with the purchase of the donor and the blue printing work.
If you want a switch barrel rifle on a M70 receiver, just just buy up as many beat up old Post 64 push feeds as you can in long and short action, magnum and standard bolt faces, if you can find one .223 as well. You could probably even find you a barrel maker that would build you a pre-fit barrel with a barrel nut. That'll probably get you the closest to what you want the cheapest.
As far a getting the barrel off the Howa actions as a home hobbyist, with careful work with a hacksaw making a relief cut around the barrel would probably get it done. I don't know why Howa torques the barrel on so tight, but my gunsmith says a relief cut is the only way to guarantee you won't twist the receiver removing the barrel. This is the way they remove barrels from the 1917 and P14 receivers as well.
I need to find a source of actions as well. I had planned on using the M700 ADL rifles I could pick up from Wally World for under $400. I did buy a couple, but wound up selling the .243 donor and am currently shooting the .223 donor I bought. I put the .223 in a B&C stock and it shoots well enough I'm not interested in changing it at the moment. If Remington M700 are produced again I'll probably stick with them for my budget builds if they still offer a budget model. The 700 ADL package rifle was almost $200 cheaper than the M10/110 XP rifles and about $50 more than the Axis II XP's at my local WM.
I sure miss the days of when I purchased my first brand new Stevens 200 for $175 shipped to my FFL off of gunbroker! I never paid over $300 for a donor Stevens 200 rifle and I just used my last one to build a 6mm Creedmoor. I may swap that barrel out for a .358 Win barrel I have since I got my Howa 6mm Creed.