did you build or buy your smokeless ?

[JeffB1961]

i've noticed most here build their SML's and only few buy a ready made SML . is that because y'all already have actions and just need barrels so it doesn't cost as much ? or do you feel you get better quality that way than say a woodman patriot ? you like the tinkering/building process ? you like bragging rights saying you did it or having something very few if anybody has that's exactly the same gun ? and probably other reasons i can't grasp since i'm on the outside looking in .

i'm sure there's other reasons but i'm just curious about y'all's reasons for building or buying ?
i'll be buying because i have zero gun smithing skills and zero desire to hurt or kill myself or someone else nearby .
i'm sure some of you do both , but what are y'alls thought's and reasons for building vs. buying ?

and feel free to brag on your SML's or their builds

 

[Mnt monkey]

As a poor younger man that fell in love with bolt action rifles I had a passion to build my own, I had a couple of gunsmiths who took me under their wing taught me the basics enough to build a bolt action rifle from start to finish. I've never had a desire to do it for anyone other than friends and self. For me two reasons!!! Cost number1,,and 2,,love doing as much of the build as I can, most of the guns I've put together if I really studied the numbers I'm able to put together for a little bit less than half of what it would cost me to buy the gun new. I must say this if I had the means I would buy new, but I would still build too.

 

[Mnt monkey]

One thing I will say about the conversions they are much more practical as hunting rifles, you can however, if you study the build carefully build a bolt action that has very practical ,easy handling weight and ergonomics also,, the Defiance anti-6 and 1/2 lb carbon wrapped Blackhorn rifle I put together a couple of years ago with the 14 twist Wilson shot 250 and 275 grain Fury 40 Cals less than 3/4 of an inch I took the gun apart and I'm building another rifle out of the action on a 16 twist loathor Walter,,, to shoot the 400 Gr bullets I've been working with. I know many of you are addicted to buying a new Muzzleloader I think it's even worse if you build them, I can't get it out of my system having retired now and having limited funds is going to be a challenge.

 

[BuckDoeHunter]

I put 3 Remington 700ML conversions together. I like to tinker and save a buck when I can. I bought the tools to take the old barrels off and install new ones. I did my own inletting on the stocks and installed aluminum pillars and used JB weld for the bedding job. I learned a lot along the way and the end results exceeded my expectations. All 3 use 209 primers.

1st one put together

No. 2

No.3, a little lighter and put together for lighter loads using a sabot.

These two were 45-70's converted to SML's, I sent these to Bestill to convert because I don't have the tools to cut threads, maybe someday. They are lighter weight treestand/stalking SML's and use brass modules with LRM primers, also excellent shooters.

 

[Shortyrut]

Build, for the reasons listed above. I've put together a couple of 700ml's for friends and a savage/pacnor 45 for myself. It was fun and took me 5 times longer than it would've taken a professional.

 

[Shortyrut]

Nice lookin builds you have there BuckDoeHunter. I also stuck with 209's, it's one less thing to have to remember or fumble with finding if a quick follow up shot is necessary.

 

[smokepolehall]

I bought a NEF 45-70, i had the bbl. threaded for a Savage BP n 209 primers using vent liners. Last Spring i did a change over doing the work n made mine a D I modules. So no more 209's or vent liners. That is about as far as my tools allow me to do

 

[LBAhunter]

I could do a build myself but I don't have the equipment and/or time. All I did was obtained a black/blue CVA 45-70 Scout. I sent the action and barrel with a money order to a guy in N.C. I told him which breech plug I wanted. He ordered it and installed it. In a very short time he had it ready to go.

 

[GM54-120]

While i like 45s much better...This ole Nula will clobber deer and only weighs about 7lbs. 275gr over 2300fps is no problem.

 

[ElDiablo]

I’m a DIY guy in most everything I do. I forge my own knives, build fly rods, tie flies, reload, design and build tents, mount my own trophies, build and modify rifles, etc, etc.

I do it for all the reasons you mention, Jeff. Why pay someone else to do something I can do better and cheaper myself? I end up with exactly what I (think) I want (or the ability to make it what I want). And, if nothing else, it allows me to be intimately familiar with my gear.

 

[Ninering62]

i've noticed most here build their SML's and only few buy a ready made SML . is that because y'all already have actions and just need barrels so it doesn't cost as much ? or do you feel you get better quality that way than say a woodman patriot ? you like the tinkering/building process ? you like bragging rights saying you did it or having something very few if anybody has that's exactly the same gun ? and probably other reasons i can't grasp since i'm on the outside looking in .

i'm sure there's other reasons but i'm just curious about y'all's reasons for building or buying ?
i'll be buying because i have zero gun smithing skills and zero desire to hurt or kill myself or someone else nearby .
i'm sure some of you do both , but what are y'alls thought's and reasons for building vs. buying ?

and feel free to brag on your SML's or their builds

I picked out all my own components, ordered my own barrels, contoured to my own spec's, custom ordered my own stocks, I put everything together & sent it all off to my builder, on my 2nd one now. I would not be opposed to buying someone elses build, or DIY kit, as long as it was suited to me & my intended use for it. But nothing like taking your own ideas, your own design, and custom ordering everything yourself, then telling your builder " this is what I want you to do with my build ". The only thing in my mind that would be far more satisfying is to actually have the skillset & equip to build it from your own concept 100% yourself.

 

[Ninering62]

i've noticed most here build their SML's and only few buy a ready made SML . is that because y'all already have actions and just need barrels so it doesn't cost as much ? or do you feel you get better quality that way than say a woodman patriot ? you like the tinkering/building process ? you like bragging rights saying you did it or having something very few if anybody has that's exactly the same gun ? and probably other reasons i can't grasp since i'm on the outside looking in .

i'm sure there's other reasons but i'm just curious about y'all's reasons for building or buying ?
i'll be buying because i have zero gun smithing skills and zero desire to hurt or kill myself or someone else nearby .
i'm sure some of you do both , but what are y'alls thought's and reasons for building vs. buying ?

and feel free to brag on your SML's or their builds

I picked out all my own components, ordered my own barrels, contoured to my own spec's, custom ordered my own stocks, I put everything together & sent it all off to my builder, on my 2nd one now. I would not be opposed to buying someone elses build, or DIY kit, as long as it was suited to me & my intended use for it. But nothing like taking your own ideas, your own design, and custom ordering everything yourself, then telling your builder " this is what I want you to do with my build ". The only thing in my mind that would be far more satisfying is to actually have the skillset & equip to build it from your own concept 100% yourself.
I have no idea how I managed to screw this post up & can't delete it. Oh well

 

[blackpowder72]

I built my bolt action myself for $ reasons. Bought a used Savage rifle for a donor ordered a pre fit barrel from Hankins. Piece of cake. I've got about half the money in it as if I would of bought one already built. Hankins has done all my Scout conversions for obvious reasons.

 

[rangerod]

i've noticed most here build their SML's and only few buy a ready made SML . is that because y'all already have actions and just need barrels so it doesn't cost as much ? or do you feel you get better quality that way than say a woodman patriot ? you like the tinkering/building process ? you like bragging rights saying you did it or having something very few if anybody has that's exactly the same gun ? and probably other reasons i can't grasp since i'm on the outside looking in .

i'm sure there's other reasons but i'm just curious about y'all's reasons for building or buyin
i'll be buying because i have zero gun smithing skills and zero desire to hurt or kill myself or someone else nearby .
i'm sure some of you do both , but what are y'alls thought's and reasons for building vs. smokelessbuying ?

and feel free to brag on your SML's or their builds

Good post JeffB. This is something I know for myself I'd never try. Always drives me crazy seeing someone gun smithing at the kitchen table (that be me).Would love a Woodman fifty smokeless with a 1in24 twist.

 

[Charger440]

I plan to half ass build mine myself from a 700ML action. I want it to be different, something you wont ever see setting on a shelf somewhere. I just got my laminated blank a few weeks ago. I just need to get it sent out to richards to have it cut and shaped into the design i want. Then once i get that back, ill send it to a member here for the barrel swap and pillars added. Then once i get everything back ill polish up my stock real nice and post the entire build here so everyone can see it. Itll be a while yet. I always gotta be different, or stand out somewhat from the rest..

 

[Mnt monkey]

I like that a lot,,,, my mini howa is the only one I know of,,my howa 1500 is rare,,the 6.5lb scoped Defiance- anti was unique,, I love different!! Richard's microfit in California I see you mentioned does cut stocks for the 700 ml it'll make a really nice addition to a unique custom build

 

[Mnt monkey]

Just to put a builder bug in folks ear,, there are quite a few sources for barrels and barrel nuts for Remington 700s ,,howa mini,,1500 etc,,, some of the sources are not interested in installing a breach plug it's not that big a deal,, order your Barrel in 450-58 in 18 or 20 twist threaded for your action whether shoulder or barrel nut ,there are sources that do both find you a local gunsmith that will do the plug install put your rifle together and head down the road if you're not comfortable with doing wood work and stock work buy a stock that has bedding block system in it tighten it up ready to go much cheaper than a $5,000 rifle build

 

[jims]

I have done at least half a dozen based on the Sav ML II platform. Various replacement barrels, .375, .40 and two different sizes of .45s. Some I changed the recoil lug. Three holes, pillar bedded and glassed and different solid wood stocks. Sanded and put the finish on the stocks also. I enjoy tinkering but only have one more to do I think. Really should thin the herd but some of the family enjoy shooting them IF I get everything ready. If I am not around they may use straightwalls in .350 Legend or 45-70.

 

[Patrick McChristy]

I am not a gun builder for a living, I am not a chainsaw builder for a living. I am yes a tinkerer & I don't mind assembling either in the kitchen. lol I use our oven to heat chainsaw cases to put new bearings in. I work on the island with my saw & gun projects. When I build something i can do it as my money allows me to do it & however long that takes is ok. I can't just send someone thousands - I have had a lot of fun building along the way. I have had a lot more chainsaws by learning to work on them myself. Don't be afraid!

 

[kzimmermann]

I just picked up a 700ml and will be looking to do a smokeless conversion. Can anybody recommend a good barrel source?