I have a couple of bolt rifles that are total custom jobs. They are as far apart as can be when it comes to caliber. One is a 22 LR and the other is a 460 Jeffrey.
My very first gun was a Remington Model 581 22 rifle. Got it brand new in 1967. It was stolen along with all my other guns in 1986. I saw another 581 in the estate sale of a deceased gun smith. It was his personal rifle (has his initials embossed on the bottom of the pistol grip). He had done a lot of work to it. Far more than such an inexpensive gun deserved.
The 24" barrel was cut to 20" and lead weights were added under the barrel in the fore-end to compensate and keep the balance the same. An additional action screw was drilled and tapped to help anchor the action in the stock more securely. All moving parts were polished and lapped for smooth operation. It needs a really nice stock to complete the package but it will probably never happen.
About 30 years ago I decided I should have a heavy rifle. Don't ask me why, I just wanted one and thought I should have one. So I had a 460 (404 Jeffrey necked up to 458 and blown out) built on a Remington Model 30S. The 30 was a commercial extension of the 1917 and features a true magnum length action. The S was the deluxe version. It sends a 500 grain bullet down the 25" barrel at around 2,400 FPS. The recoil with full loads is brutal.
My very first gun was a Remington Model 581 22 rifle. Got it brand new in 1967. It was stolen along with all my other guns in 1986. I saw another 581 in the estate sale of a deceased gun smith. It was his personal rifle (has his initials embossed on the bottom of the pistol grip). He had done a lot of work to it. Far more than such an inexpensive gun deserved.
The 24" barrel was cut to 20" and lead weights were added under the barrel in the fore-end to compensate and keep the balance the same. An additional action screw was drilled and tapped to help anchor the action in the stock more securely. All moving parts were polished and lapped for smooth operation. It needs a really nice stock to complete the package but it will probably never happen.
About 30 years ago I decided I should have a heavy rifle. Don't ask me why, I just wanted one and thought I should have one. So I had a 460 (404 Jeffrey necked up to 458 and blown out) built on a Remington Model 30S. The 30 was a commercial extension of the 1917 and features a true magnum length action. The S was the deluxe version. It sends a 500 grain bullet down the 25" barrel at around 2,400 FPS. The recoil with full loads is brutal.