Ep. 033 - Custom Rifles | Things to Consider |

[@joehuff4025]

I just can’t afford to build a custom rifle so I’ve taken a Remington 700 light tactical with a 20” barrel and made it as accurate as possible. I bedded the factory stock, dropped a Timney 1 1/2 pound trigger. Also built the length of pull and cheek rise out of stuff I had. May not be the prettiest gun but I’m very accurate with it. Shoot what you got and have fun doing it.

[@hornady]

Heck yeah!

[@Adamhawk1994]

Oh yes

[@SavageShooter93]

Pffft! Just do what Greg Dykstra tells everyone who doesn't want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on one piece of gear for slight gains. "Learn to work a savings account". Just kidding, sounds like a sweet rifle. Im on an even tighter budget for fun than you its a Savage 110 for me...

[@Sam7x57]

I remember 15 years ago dreaming about things that are cheap and easy now. This a golden age not only for precision rifles, but all types of firearms.

[@ManjaroBlack]

I moved from the beautiful contryside to the big city and settled down. After many years being away from hunting and getting back into it. I’m educating myself and found the wonderful world of custom building. I’m super stoked that it’s not cost prohibitive. Everyone talks about how expensive it used to be and how it’s easy and reasonable now. I’m blessed for the timing.

[@jamesmooney5348]

Great pod cast! Glad to see the down to earth interaction with good fun desires.

[@brianthome6716]

Great Podcast............I continue to learn and enjoy the conversations with everyone. The podcasts are great information in the firearms/ammunition industry. You guys do a great job having a variety of conversations on this podcasts.

[@kbowen2251]

I'm glad I finally found this podcast! It's my new Thursday morning listen while working.

[@carltoneastoutdoors]

Try vortex podcast too. Heaps of eps and great content

[@Adamhawk1994]

Same bro

[@ronws2007]

A great episode and you can tinker as much as you can afford. I think anyone watching this should also watch the podcast of "your groups are too small." That will introduce some humility. There are plenty of things you can do to increase accuracy and you can also get supremely accurate factory rifles, sometimes in a budget model. But the ammo is the final deciding factor and that is always going to have some variability. Your $8k rig might still average 1 MOA after a 200 round run.

[@elkhuntr2816]

Its the long range hunting craze is where people are at. Even the "500 and under" crowd dreams about stretching their effective range which can make a huge difference out west. When you stretch it out, now all of a sudden its all about accuracy and energy down range. How far can my cartridge be effective on elk? What people sometimes forget about is that group size REALLY matters at long range. If I can't shoot at least MOA, you can't shoot much past 500 even if your cartridge can deliver enough energy. Accuracy is the new priority along with energy for long range hunting.

[@JohnThomas-gj2zg]

Lot of good information that everyone needs to know.... thanks for bring this to all of us ...

[@variableknife4702]

I agree that a custom action gives you choices, quality and accuracy - I think in that order. If you want a Mauser style extractor in a Rem700 pattern, you can do it with a custom action. The custom action quality is superb. I really haven't seen what I'd call a major action released (like the Nucleus) that isn't just excellent. Accuracy... OK steel plates are one thing. Thousandths of an inch in bench competition is something else. IDK how much Hornady Mfg caters to the BR crowd - they're an interesting bunch and have their own very specialized demands. Thanks for putting the blogs out - really helpful and insightful. My custom ARC on AICS will hopefully be done here soon. Started to go pre-fit but decided to go with a custom fit-to-order from a local smith using a Brux blank. The whole idea is to move the Hornady 190gr .284.... very far.

[@jaydunbar7538]

If you listen to them explain how they test they use equipment that makes the BR crowd jealous, and they sponsor all sorts of shooters so I’d guess they probably have BR on the roster but I’m not positive.

[@glennwatson2751]

one of the most informative podcasts I've come across in a while, thank you

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

I agree with Jeffrey. The Savage floating bolt head and barrel nut(for head space) should be a starting point. Regular binding bolts often have the lugs lapped. I bought a Marlin SX7 in .308 15 years ago. I think I paid $300 for it. It would be hard to beat, even with a custom. I do agree with a new trigger.

[@georgecolee7663]

Awesome podcast fellas! So I own several levels and styles of guns and yup most have a Timney Trigger. Their customer service is first class they were local to me in Az. I took a trigger back in that I had ordered from Brownells that was too short because of the different Eddystone Enfield magazine capacities. My mistake but they looked at it and swapped out the trigger for me on the spot and installed it to checkout fitment no charge! On the barrels the big thing I’ve noticed is a true match barrel be it button or cut rifling shoots a lot more different rounds really really well compared to the factory production ones that only favor that one sweet spot. My 100yr old 30-06 Enfield with just a lapped bolt and a Criterion barrel shoots everything I’ve tried better than MOA. If you care about the accuracy just start with a good barrel any of the custom American barrel makers do excellent work. The less you do to a barrel the better off you’ll be don’t thread or flute it unless you really have too. I’m ready for some .22lr Hornady match ammo!

[@cdavis0145]

Great info guys; keep it coming.

[@stevensrspcplusmc]

I bought a defiance ruckus action and a proof carbon wrapped 6.5 CM prefit barrel, put it in a American rifle company xylo chassis with a triggertech diamond trigger.. first five shots were a 3/8 inch hole at 50 yds. It’s crazy that you can buy good components and put it together by yourself, with out a gunsmith and get a rifle, that would cost another 5 thousand!! I was shooting Hornady ELD match, your ammo is amazing!

[@Adamhawk1994]

Same

[@chipsterb4946]

I was really surprised when one of you said a bolt action build is easier than an AR. The assembly might be, but identifying and specifying a compatible receiver, barrel, trigger, bottom metal, and stock/chassis that works well for your application (weight and volume of fire) seems a LOT more challenging. And of course you have to select your cartridge first … that’s just nuts in today’s market with all of the possible choices.

[@buckaroobonsi555]

AR are easy to build and idiot proof if all the parts stick to the TDP and you are not chasing accuracy levels that where never part of the design. That is the entire point of the design elements of the AR is that almost anyone can assembly one and turn out an acceptable product. The problem is that too many companies do not stick to the exact specifications and quality control designed in the TDP. I am tired and old so if I get this wrong I apologies but if memory serves me properly the AR/M16 only has to hold 2 MOA with ball ammo to meet requirements. If you look at companies like Ruger, S&W, Daniel Defense they tend to turn out a very very consistent product. While other companies turn out real turds. Springs, doughnuts, extractors and bolt carrier clearances mater a lot. Tolerance stacking is very real. If the quality control on all of the individual parts is good assembly is easy. Today to many companies are making parts and they all have different standards! I suspect not much is getting pitched when out of spec. they just discount it and sell it to those that will look the other way!

[@jasonweishaupt1828]

Just stick to pre 1980 calibers and you can’t do wrong.

[@chipsterb4946]

@@jasonweishaupt1828 can I go with 7mm-08 Remington? It was commercially introduced in 1980 but wildcat versions first appeared in the late 1950s…. Jason you make a good point. Compare 6.5 Creedmoor to .270 Winchester with modern bullets and the .270 is better at everything out to at least 500 yards. Except recoil. Then all of the “PRC” cartridges from Hornady 🙄 Require Magnum bolt faces and magnum primers. The funniest thing is that I’ve been working with the .30-30 recently. Is it an old Fudd cartridge? Well yeah but it gets the job done just fine unless you need to shoot more than 250 yards. Again modern powders (CFE 223 and LeveRevolution) and modern projectiles yield real improvements in performance. Plus lever actions are just plain fun.

[@ericbennett1253]

I personally think synergy can make a considerable difference when talking about how well a rifle shoots or doesn't. 3 people can shoot the same rifle but NOT shoot the same size group. Same 3 on a completely different rifle setup and the results could differ again. Much like a musical instrument, the difference in human input can make it sound/perform differently. It's all about the chemistry or "synergy" between the two imho. Just my opinion of course.

[@jaydunbar7538]

They refer to that as fit, it has to properly fit you to maximize potential.

[@jimpalmer4916]

The Real Gunsmith Randy Selby has built more rifles than anybody on this planet. His offerings in breakdown guns totally eclipses the competition, and he has more experience than any human being on earth.

[@georgelza]

... would love to see Miles custom rifle.

[@thh4988]

I would like to build a custom rifle but I don’t know the first thing about it. Where do you find out about all the best manufacturers of the best components. The internet has everything but you have to know what you are looking for

[@SaneAsylum]

You can only take other people's opinions for so long. Eventually you have to know what matters to you. If you don't care about 60 vs 90 degree bolt lift or long vs short action etc... then it isn't hard to find consensus on line. If you are able to mentally isolate all the variables and select preference then shopping around will (might) get you what you want. There really isn't that much selection when it comes to bottom metal and magazines, but more in stocks and triggers depending on the action. The sky is the limit when it comes to cartridge choice and barrels. Asking questions is the first step. If you find a custom pre-fit action you like, most of the makers will talk to you (once you get through to them) and help you understand what works together.

[@DanielReyes-hz1qk]

I generally look at what's being used in PRS matches. I'm not sure if there's anything current but Precision Rifle Blog used to do a recap of barrels, actions, calibers etc that the pros were using. Look towards knowledgeable sources like these guys at Hornady, the Lapua/Berger folks, the Vortex Nation guys, etc. Also, talk to your your local gun community; there's likely people who compete who have their own opinions and preferences as well. And see if you've got a custom rifle builder in your area! You might be surprised. I found one who grew up on the same street my dad did and was a fellow left like myself! A powerful friendship to have made for sure

[@soreloser6018]

Let's start with what purpose do you want to use it for? Self defense AR? Long range varmint bolt action? PRS? Fast paced Hog hunting?

[@thh4988]

@@soreloser6018 PRS I probably would not compete I just want to shoot long range. I have all the other guns for doing the other stuff. Just building a high dollar toy that can shoot the distance but not trying to go miles

[@cottleful]

Forget custom builds but a Barrett MRAD and call it a day lol. I have one with a .300 PRC Conversion and a .308 kit and it’s the best rifle I have ever owned.

[@kevincallahan3059]

I carved out a chunk of walnut for a Ruger mark ll in 220 swift, took about 180 hrs...... Shoots 1/4 at a 100yd. ..... It was quite an accomplishment . My next project is a Weatherby vanguard.... Just a hobbie....

[@jasonweishaupt1828]

My 77/22H shoots 1 MOA at 100yds with XTP hand loads. My Hawkeye 7 mag also shoots 1 MOA but with a competitor’s bullets. No idea how they shoot with factory.

[@leonardogarcia2506]

Just to add on the ruger American predator in 6.5 creed and definitely using a Hornady 140 eld-m bullet, I’m shooting 5 shot groups between 1/4” to .5” at 2730 with 43.3 grains of h4350. The R.A.P’s can shoot and even better with a Hornady pill.

[@judodavid1]

Thank you for the knowledge

[@20020x]

OK, last one....I don't know if the issue has been fixed on Timney Triggers for 700's, used to have an issue with sear drag. I am a fan of Timney for their multitude of options, just ordered a Remington 788 trigger.

[@therealfearsome]

I wish I had the money to put into a "custom" gun, every time I go to put a parts list together I end up around 3 -5K dollars, I just can't justify that kind of money and stay married....

[@jeffreywilson690]

The Savage boat head has done so much for precision shooting on the 10 and the 110 actions

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

I bought a Marlin SX7 in .308 because they stole the floating bolt head, the barrel nut and Accu Trigger from Savage. I love it!

[@jamesfarmer63]

I was lucky I bought a Savage 338 Lapua Magnum,in a MDT LSS XL chasse and 5 round mag in clouded so I got it brand new like it,only things I put on it was the scope & suppressor

[@wesleyherring9870]

Question for Miles . Do you chamber tru the headstock or with steady rest?

[@TTT-du6oj]

I’m with Miles, it’s hard for me to trust the carbon fiber barrels as much when it comes to shooting bug holes consistently,but it’s probably just a head thing because we know they shoot as he said

[@livingadreamlife1428]

A carbon barrel isn’t my choice. I’ve bought a couple of rifles over the past year and have sensed pressure from salesman to buy carbon. They are trying to hard because the shelves at local gun stores are FULL of carbon barrels and they’re offering discounts. While substantially lighter than steel and offer a cool look, the carbons don’t dissipate heat very well and, as a result, groups are inconsistent. That’s a non-starter for me. It’s difficult and expensive enough to get or find a steel barrel to shoot well. That takes time and money. I’m sure some will chime-in with their circumstances being different but I can only go with my personal experience. Perhaps manufacturing technology will allow an increase accuracy for carbons at some point in the future.

[@bbdudeyt]

thank you gentlemen...

[@hornady]

Thank you too!

[@alexryan9869]

I changed the trigger on my M24. The Remington trigger was horrible and the more I shot it the worse it got. The custom trigger was great. The size of group was way way smaller. You shoot way better when you know when it’s going to break.

[@6creeder688]

Mac brothers evo 2 is extremely hard to beat. Just built one in 6gt and it’s a hammer

[@randylong8156]

Great topic I chamber my own actions and laugh when people start in on the blue printing action stuff..lol I've put barrels on egg shaped mauser actions happens when use the wrong action wrench and it shot 1/2 moa.

[@MrSany24]

great pod cast but I disagree about carbon fiber barrels have had 4 out of 4 being completely unusable point of impact moving up to 4" at 50m depending on the heat of the day

[@jaydunbar7538]

Sounds like the steel wasn’t stress relieved, who was the manufacturer?

[@20020x]

The Defiance AnTi actions or others on the market that are Stainless but lightened. Mack Brothers actions are Real nice, 9 on the shelf right now. The only issue I have with prefits, are the action can be on the top of the tolerance and barrel on bottom and fit is loose and a goose......maybe it doesn't matter, a lot of smoke and mirror stuff in this business like saying you can hold .0002". this is coming from a custom gun builder. Great Stuff, Would really like to meet and chat with Miles!!

[@SaneAsylum]

I disagree only in that pre-fits are pre-fits because they are held to a tighter tolerance. You can't sell pre-fits if you aren't holding such tight tolerances that it doesn't matter.

[@adamm74]

For carbon barrels, GA precision will only honor accuracy with the Bartlein carbon barrels. They say that the steel core is thicker on theirs vs other manufactures. I have personally shot my Bartlein carbon barrel to a 10 shot string and it was still hammering dead on… however it was boiling hot and don’t want to buy another one anytime soon so I generally let it cool after 5 at most. Anyone have experience with other carbon barrels?

[@derumage]

I have a Christianson arms 300 win that shoots sub moa 5 shots groups with almost any factory ammo I’ve ran through it. I’m 350 rounds down the barrel zeroed 2 inches high at 100 haven’t changed the zero since the first 15 or so shots seems to do well even after a normal sporter Rifle would be so hot you can’t touch the barrel

[@wylde223]

Where do you guys shoot in Nebraska? I heard one podcast where you shot 1000yds by Nebraska city and I don't know where. Thanks for your help!

[@zackdarlington2346]

Check out Heartand Precision Rifle! They’re based out of the Lincoln area but run Long range precision courses all over the state (Niobrara/Battle Creek/Lewiston)

[@wylde223]

@@zackdarlington2346 do they have a public range?

[@elkhuntr2816]

Shouldn't fluting produce a stiffer barrel since the outside diameter is larger than the same amount of material in a thinner barrel? The Length / Radius ratio is larger making it stiffer.

[@jaydunbar7538]

Fluting doesn’t make the barrel stiffer, it makes it lighter. You could say that a fluted barrel is stiffer then a none fluted barrel of the same weight. It’s the diameter of the barrel that makes it stiffer, not the fluting.

[@elkhuntr2816]

@@jaydunbar7538 Agreed. Depends you look at it. Fluting can increase diameter over a non fluted barrel, or as you put it a barrel of the same weight will be of a larger diameter if it is fluted over a non fluted barrel. Same thing with carbon barrels that are a larger diameter with the same weight.

[@corygamble9785]

What’s the next prc cartridge? Any work on a .338? Something that’ll shoot the 285gr eld-m at 2850 hopefully

[@danielburnette9552]

338 lapua already does that

[@corygamble9785]

@@danielburnette9552 not with factory loads unless strelok has the wrong numbers. I also want an updated cartridge design and Hornadys support of the cartridge.

[@danielburnette9552]

@@corygamble9785hornady already makes brass and dies for that cartridge.

[@corygamble9785]

@@danielburnette9552 yes, but they do not support it the way they do their own in house designed cartridges. I want readily available factory ammo. I also don’t want a lapua, I want a “.338 Norma mag”. I want an updated 338 just like they did to the 300 win mag/270 win/243win/308

[@danielburnette9552]

@@corygamble9785 they make 338 lapua match ammo, with 285 ELDm and hunting ammo with 270 grain ELDx

[@damnu8089]

i'm looking for a youth hmr 17 bolt rifle with bull barrel ss

[@jamesmooney5348]

Dream job

[@justinv4036]

@1:20:42 AHHH you guys are killing me... you need to share some frikin PICTURES. At the very least just throw some pictures up on an instagram feed and link it in the show notes/description....

[@joshuarvinson]

Guys! We need to see Mile's rifle! You can't talk that thing up and not show it off!!!

[@mtnshooter2487]

6 Arc would be cool.......if you could fine brass.

[@ronlowney4700]

🤠 Yes, Horneday needs to hire more Engineers from South Dakota School of Mines, Colorado School of Mines, and Montana Tech School of Mines! 👍😁

[@gregorygardner1719]

Stop pushing pre fit barrels. Guys that work hard for their money deserve a custom fitted barrel. With a prefit you get a mass produced barrel chambered from a live center and who knows where the muzzle runout is pointed in the barrel was actually dialed in properly at the chamber end. One major ar match barrel supplier here in Illinois chambers their hi power barrels this way and it absolutely disgusts me. People work to dam hard for this type of quality. Pat the extra 100$ and have a real rifle smith chamber that 450$ blank properly. Cheap barrels put the real craftsman’s out of Buisness. We can’t afford to loose any more of them!! Do everything in life properly and you will be better off.

[@jeffreywilson690]

You cannot spend yourself into you being a good shooter with the fundamental.

[@jaydunbar7538]

While that’s true, a good shooter also can’t shoot 1moa with a 10moa rifle. Improving the equipment will always have a positive effect, if the effect is worth the cash is a personal choice.

[@kcv5716]

5 lbs. 300 RUM. Bad idea?

[@nomad_philosophy]

Incredibly

[@SaneAsylum]

I'd shoot it if built right no problem.

[@buckaroobonsi555]

Outside of weight saving it is impossible for a carbon wrapped barrel to do anything that the orignal pre-turned blank could not do better. The carbon wrap could cause corrosion long term. It acts like insulation and holds heat in the bore of the barrel longer. Carbon fiber wrapped in that manner add's nothing to the stiffness of the steel barrel. You do not gain any stiness or rigidity and you make it harder to shed heat. Carbon wrapped barrels are a fools folly. You do not see them in aviation barrels where light weight and known durability rule supreme. You do not see them in ship barrels, artillery pieces, tank barrels, machine gun barrels or even standard issue rifle like the M4 or M17 handgun. A proof steel barrel of the same profile as the wrapped version would perform identical tot he wrapped version and would weight even less!

[@20020x]

Boots Obermeyer always said CroMo was "tougher" than stainless.

[@buckaroobonsi555]

I do not care about the trigger that much and I shoot F, Silhouette, Bullseye and high power. People make too much fuss over the trigger. A trigger has to be pretty bad to justify the stupid high prices a lot of them go for today. A lot of shooting sports have limits on how light your trigger can be. I am more concerned about the action being true and concentric and the barrel. I have never seen a trigger drop someones group size by a large margin. For the price of a trigger you can get an action trued and a barrel installed!

[@20020x]

Kriegers are Cryo'd

[@marcelliott2717]

p̷r̷o̷m̷o̷s̷m̷

[@Blackline9114]

Yall really gotta do away with those giant bulky headsets.

[@kevinedwards7206]

I recently purchased a Savage 110 6.5 Creedmoor Magpul hunter. 4.5x18 Zerotech scope..wheeler offset rings.. 120 rounds through it.. shoots better than I can .. but I do consistently bang the 200 yard small iron plate so.. But I just found out , Thru Criterion a new caliber barrel , the wrench and a headspace gauge for 250. dollars or so... same magazine same rifle, new bang.

[@alphaomega9033]

Omnivariousness. Creators, why do You all not focus on creating a rifle and this rifle's parts to be made as to except multiple different manufacturer parts (barrels, triggers, bolts, etc.), come on, You can do Anything together.