I get 1 "free" gun, what would you do?

As the tittle suggest I get one free rifle via gunsmithing school, I will be making it from a block of wood and steel ( the stock is one piece only so no R8 :( (the 2 piece is going to be for my grandfather who taught me to shoot))
I'm semi torn between the 3 new Mauser's ,made in .338 Lapua ( yeah I'm that guy)the real question there is can I get the M12 and M03 to work with the .338,the sako 85 is kind of my back up choice because it has both a removable magazine and comes factory with a .338,option.

Now TFL community if you had the opportunity what would you do with it? Keep in mind that you would have to do all the machine work
 
I would talk to your instructors at gunsmithing school and see what they recommend. Some instructors require you to work on a specific type of rifle that is fairly common (maybe a Remington, Savage, Ruger, etc), as well as a common shotgun (again, maybe Beretta, Benelli or Remington). So ask first, then get what you need to. No need buying the guns twice.
 
the stock is one piece only so no R8

there is a one piece stock for the R8, the classic

R8_Classic_Sporter_01.png
 
Haha a mini gun would serve my cause of global domination:D
To bad it ain't wood.

Its a college down in troy NC NRA certification and all.
No doubt they do like the Remington's...they even had what looked like ( i kept my distance) a few 710s :eek:. But I imagine those are there to melt down to make other rifles.
 
My assistant says that CST gave new students the choice of a Remington 700, a Howa 1500, or another I can't recall. No high dollar guns, just good ones to work on and customize.
 
I will be making it from a block of wood and steel

could you clarify this?

are you making the action from scratch?

even thou I love that r8 I think you should go classic

make a mauser 98 action, granddaddy and still king of bolts
or a remington rolling block (but modernized) for a single shot
 
I guess I don't understand free rifle?

The way I look at it you're paying for books, tuition, and tools, possibly living expenses, and definately incidentals. In no way is this rifle free, even if the school supplies you with your choice of action and stock blank. If it were me I'd build something a little cheaper to shoot when you're a starving gunsmith out there trying to get established in the trade.

Anyway, good luck whatever you decide.
 
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Choose an action that you'd likely work on, once qualified, in a calibre you like.

Get a gun you like to shoot having had lots of practice with something that will earn you enough to shoot it!
 
If they had plans for the MR7 Marlin Bolt gun, that is what I'd make in the 30/06. Just sayin''''. Why not work to learn the strong point each manufacturer offers in their particular model, combined into one rifle? Why the Marlin MR7 isn't a legend among rifles is beyond me. And, it would sure be nice to see Marlin start producing them again. I think it would seriously hurt the intended 700 market though so, it isn't likely. Heck, It would hurt all the big name model's market. God bless
 
.338 Lapua ammo is far too expensive.
I'd be thinking very high end target rifle. Likely a .308.
"...you would have to do all the machine work..." That'd be the point of being in school.
 
Personally I would focus on a short light rifle kind of like the Scout concept in a short action and caliber for the area in which you hunt deer and customize to your satisfaction.
 
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