I'm a big fan of classic American rifles and I have several pre-64 M70's and an early G&H in 7mm. I really love a beautiful old stock.

Lately I have had the jones for a practical rifle that I won't be worried about bangs, scrapes and nicks to the wood. I really like the Bell & Carlson stocks and am pretty much set on going that way. The question is do I buy a rifle and re-stock or do I build a rifle.

Figure a budget of $1,500 all in exclusive of scope (stock is going to be $350ish). Buy a barreled action or an action and then a barrel? Iron sights and QR bases?

Thoughts?

quote:

Figure a budget of $1,500

One is not likely going to build much of a rifle on that budget.

However one can buy quite a few really nice rifles for that....including the new M-70

Check them out!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Figure a budget of $1,500

One is not likely going to build much of a rifle on that budget.

However one can buy quite a few really nice rifles for that....including the new M-70

Check them out!

I know you like M70's, but another way to go would be a synthetic Savage with a Burris scope and still be within $1500.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Figure a budget of $1,500

One is not likely going to build much of a rifle on that budget.

However one can buy quite a few really nice rifles for that....including the new M-70

Check them out!

These reply's kill me sometimes. I'm not kicking on you Vapo but we all don't have 3,000.00 budgets every time we get a fancy to buy or build somthing. Heck i'm scraping pennys trying to build a sporter for my daughter because my son's motocross has engulfed any extra funds i had(Man those bikes and gear are expensive)! If you have that kind of money to throw at one God Bless ya, I would if i had it, but i would think that if one were to look around, one could find the stuff to build a descent hunter for that.

Look around on AA, GB or GA websites. Lately there have been some very sweet deals (well under $1500) on classic vintage rifles suitable for hard use in the field.

After reading your reply, I guess I don't quite come from the same place as you do. Meaning, what I think you are asking and what you think you are asking must not be the same.

When someone talks about a build, I get the idea that someone is talking about a full-up custom, and Vapo is right, you won't get much of anything for $1500. Labor alone will be more than that on a custom made rifle by a good gunsmith.

It seems like what Vapodog is saying is that you can't get a good custom rifle for that money, but there are lots of good factory guns that will fit your profile.

You can certainly get a used old Remington 700 for under $300, put a new barrel on it (how much do you want to spend for that?) New trigger (ditto) and put it in a reasonable piece of wood that you work on yourself (a nice blank could likely be had for $400) and your daughter would have a gun that meant everything to her because her dad made it for her- but if you can't do the stock work yourself, maybe you would rather get a synthetic stock and paint it yourself. A lot less money, but that route I call DIY not a custom build (mainly because I know how good my woodworking is- your results may vary- hopefully to the better...)

I suspect you want to buy something and do most of the work yourself

quote:

Originally posted by Doublegun:
I'm a big fan of classic American rifles and I have several pre-64 M70's and an early G&H in 7mm. I really love a beautiful old stock.

Lately I have had the jones for a practical rifle that I won't be worried about bangs, scrapes and nicks to the wood. I really like the Bell & Carlson stocks and am pretty much set on going that way. The question is do I buy a rifle and re-stock or do I build a rifle.

Figure a budget of $1,500 all in exclusive of scope (stock is going to be $350ish). Buy a barreled action or an action and then a barrel? Iron sights and QR bases?

Thoughts?

Guess I don't fully understand what you're wanting to do here. On the one hand, I get the impression you want a custom build with a nice wood stock but then you make the comment of liking the Bell & Carlson stock.
IF you're thinking of a new rifle in a synthetic stock, I'd push for an Extreme Weather in your favorite flavor. Problem solved. In addition, you mention having a set of open sights installed as a backup. I've had this done on my Extreme Weather to the tune of about $170. Rifle & open sights - well under your $1500 price tag.
Just my thoughts.
Bear in Fairbanks

Maybe look at a Cooper model 52 or 54. They are guaranteed to shoot .5 moa. They probably are a little more than $1500.

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Originally posted by crbutler:
When someone talks about a build, I get the idea that someone is talking about a full-up custom, and Vapo is right, you won't get much of anything for $1500. Labor alone will be more than that on a custom made rifle by a good gunsmith.

That i would 100% agree on.

stainless m70, caliber of your choice, can of engine exhaust paint, stock of your choice, decent glass.. way less than 1.5k

when i hear about build, i ask what's the goal ... nice custom rifle or just a nice barrel on a beater? $1500 to build a rifle, less stock, is perfectly reasonable .. no, you won't get master class build .. but not everyone wants that every time.

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Originally posted by icemanls2:
These reply's kill me sometimes. I'm not kicking on you Vapo but we all don't have 3,000.00 budgets every time we get a fancy to buy or build somthing.

Have you priced any kind of custom gun?.....and who said anything about $3,000.....He might actually get a custom for that.

Doublegun asked a specific question and I gave a specific answer.....and I'll now repeat it....

Doublegun.....find a good gun to buy as you'll not get much of a custom (if any at all) for $1,500.....your budget number....not mine!

crbutler offered good advice except I doubt you'll find any used M-700 for under $300....maybe closer to $425 or so!!!

Send it out for rebluing and do a lot of stock work to refurbish it and you can have a fine "custom" for the amount you have in mind....

Try this idea:
standard used M-700........................$425
reblue job.................................$200
refinish and add pad and ebony to stock....$100
Send stock after finishing for checkering..$200

Or bed the Barreled action to McMillan stock and one can still be under the $1,500 number and have a great shooter!

Personally, I'd rather just get a decent M-70 for about $700 or so and get on with it.

The M-70 used will probably return 75% of your investment but the refurbished Remmy might return 35%....hey...it's your money!

here's a perfect example
http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=218169370

why the paint? i can't stand the look of a stainless rifle in the field, and paint is easy to touch up.. muffler paint, if you get the action hot-to-the-touch, is TOUGH

I'm pretty sure the CZ550 Kevlar is a Bell and Carlson stock. It retails for about half of your budget. You could have sights installed and still be well under $1000 for a very good rifle.

If you don't mind hunting for one, you could look for a Magnum Research Mountain Eagle. They had a Sako 691 action with the top of the receiver profiled to accept Remington Model 700 bases. They also had Krieger barrels and Bell & Carlson stocks. They were by all means a custom rifle and used ones run well under a Grand. Cabelas had one on their rack for $800, recently.

The benefits to finding one for sale are enormous. You can get one heck of a rifle for a fraction of what it would cost to build. Furthermore, it's not your every day rifle, so you get something just a bit different from the rest of the guns in camp.

What's wrong with us? we pay $30,000.00 for acar and drive it in city trafic around the dumbest critters to walk to earth (other drivers). but heaven forbid we get a tiny little mark on a hunting rifle.

Just follow the AR classifieds. I bought 3 rifles last year, (2) M70 ss classics and one ss ruger. All under $700.00 each. Also bought 3 Leos to go on them. I'll sell you one if you are interested. M70 ss classic in 30-06.

Interesting discussion so far. Finally getting where I had hoped it would go (and probably would have gotten there earlier had I phrased my original post more clearly).

Here's what I am thinking of doing: finding a used action/barrel (still debating which action); having a friend who is a rifle maker install iron sights (if the action does not have them), clean-up the trigger, install QR bases; and bed/float the set-up in a B&C stock.

I go back and forth on the actions and I realize that's like a Ford vs Chevy thing. What else should I consider?

Consider the Kimber Montana as a basic rifle that embodies the features of the old M70's with CRF, an even better safety, a state of the art stock etc.

Start there. They are a landmark rifle in my estimation.

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I go back and forth on the actions and I realize that's like a Ford vs Chevy thing. What else should I consider?

I am somewhat unusual as I truly like the M-70 push feeds....immensely strong, three position safety, excellent trigger and not bad looking IMO.....but you nailed it.....ford Vs Chevy

One needs to be specific on this or he'll wind up with something he really didn't want....

what caliber/chambering....what barrel contour and length, what stock style and material, What style of sights?.....it goes on and on but if you buy what's a bargain you'll not wind up with the gun you want.....

Spell it all out and then go after it.

BTW....Remington 700 is a excellent place to start as well as the M-70!

The rifle Jeff pointed out above on Gunbroker is a perfect example...like-new rifle and scope for $950. Maybe have your gunsmith friend adjust the trigger to your liking and work up a good load for it, and you're in business. The Magnum Research rifles mentioned are also good rifles. I've had 4 of them. If you like a B&C stock, look for a used Weatherby, a SBGM or similar.

The main reason for building a custom is because you can't get the features you want in a stock rifle made by a manufacturer. In your case, your desires are well within the realm of many fine synthetic production rifles.

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The main reason for building a custom is because you can't get the features you want in a stock rifle made by a manufacturer.

Yeah, the main feature that is called "accuracy"!

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Originally posted by Doublegun:
The question is do I buy a rifle and re-stock or do I build a rifle.

need a beater? Get a Savage and restock! roger

Shop the used guns locally or on the internet, Keep an eye on ebay for a used Leupold and stick it in your B&C stock. Personally I would go for a M700 because they are easy to make accurate and strong, the Leupold because they have a great warranty (I bought a used Leupold that broke on me and Leupold sent me a brand new scope). You will be well under your budget depending on how patient you are and have a great rifle.

I don't have any what you would call full custom jobs. But a semi custom does find for me facorty stock glass, bedded new trigger, maybe a new barrel if you can't find the cailber you want.

You can get a lot done that makes a rifle shoot better and more user freindly even if you don't go the full custom route.

Even more so if one can do a bit of the work yourself.

save yourself some grief (and money) and just get a new sc model 70 ew win (already has a b&c stock), have your bud add the sights, then get some decent glass. you should easily fall under the 1500.00 limit. good luck.

Of late I found a rifle on Gun Broker with the following attributes: MRC M1999 SS action, factory MRC SS barrel, McMillan stock (don't come much better than that), Jewell trigger (!), Talley bases & rings (1"), .270 WSM, pillar bedded by Hill Country Rifles, final price $1200 plus shipping. The first 3 shot group with Federal 140 grs AccuBonds measured .41". There are tons of great rifles for sale if you have the patience to look for them.

- mike

I was trolling our own classifieds yesterday and there was a SS M70 300WM for I think $750. Sounds like an excellent start to me.