Hi and thanks for the replies,

I have a few questions regarding building a custom rifle from a Military Bolt Action.

1. What would be the least expensive?

2. What would be the best?

3. The easiest?

Thanks
Frank d

Easiest would be a commercial 98 :-))

Best is subjective and dependant on calibre

I would like to have one build on a Springfield 1903, no particular reason except it would look handsome. There's no "best", beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If you want easy, and cheap, then Mauser 98 and its clones, because everybody knows it and accessories are easily available.

Frank,

The nature of your questions makes me agree with mho's response.

In other words I am reading the tone of your questions as meaning a custom rifle that is not going to be a real high end gun.

If you are meaning a high end gun thehn I would not get the Montanna 99 because it is cast. I realise there is no mechanical problem but it to me cast actions and high end custom rifles don't go together. To me a high end custom rifle made from a cast action would be like having a top line custom gun chambered in 338 Win necked up to 375 instead of the 375 H&H. Ballistics will be the same but which would you prefer.

Mike

[ 06-01-2003, 13:53: Message edited by: Mike375 ]

Thanks for the great replies,

I have a few rifles built from M700 actions, and I am in the loop for the Montana 1999 short action. I was looking for something different, that wasn't going to cost a fortune to set up. It's a shame I only got on board for one of the M1999 actions at the introduction pricing.............

As far as a caliber for the Military Action I was leaning toward one of the WSM, probably a Wildcat.

Frank D

[ 06-01-2003, 15:30: Message edited by: frank d ]

Frank,
With you wanting a wildcat or WSM, that limits your choices. I would say that an FN, made for Sears or Pennies, would be your best best, for quality, day in and day out...

If you don't do your own work, then feeding a wsm might run into some $$

jeffe

I am not going to try to answer all you questions as I don't have that much time to spend. Your basic premise to begin with was to use a military action so although I think the MRC's would be a better way to go, I will base my answer on a military item.

My suggestion is to look for a decent 1909 Argentine. It already comes with hinged bottom metal, a big plus. From there you can have someone surface grind the action but it is not necessary if you get scope mounts based on a military action with stripper clip hump still in place. Have it drilled and tapped and install a Beuler safety. New bolt handle and you are looking at $150 for the action (you can still find them but harder all the time), $40 for drill and tap, $80 for bolt knob (probably low end but a lot of people will do it for that), $30 for the safety and you are at $300. You can surface grind for another $75 +/-.

Best might mean most desireable and you are looking at Peruvian or a G33/40. Hard to beat those two but the cost of the military unit will use up $600 ++/- for the G33/40.

For my money and in this order:

1) 1909 Argentine Mauser 2) 1935 Chilean 3) G-33/40 4) VZ-24. I especially love the 1909 because it's beautifully machined and otherwise superbly-made, and once it's been reworked by an expert metalsmith and re-hardened, it's a magnificent action for a best-quality custom rifle.

AD

Customstox,

When you say "Best might mean most desireable and you are looking at Peruvian or a G33/40.", which Peruvian do you mean, the 1909 Obendorf or the 1935 FN?

Thanks, Rob

Mike375:
I am on the list for an M1999 action. I, too, was wondering (concerned, actually) about the strength of a cast piece over one that was machined from a billet. Dan at MRC told me that casting was a better way to go because a billet could have a flaw in it that wouldn't show up until the rod blew up in your face. I am sure the metallurgists have formaulated a steel capable of taking the pressure and MRC is not going to expose itself to lawsuits because they designed a piece that couldn't take said pressure. If the gent considering the military actions moves quickly, he can probably still get his M1999 for the low, low price of $350.

rootbeer

As I said in my post, my objections to a cast action are not based on strength but rather that to me the cast action and top of the line custom gun don't go together.

Mike

If a WSM based cartridge is in the works then I would definately start with a box stock Winchester in a WSM cartridge. Feeding may not be perfect but it will be 1000% closer than with any of the other actions listed. Feeding is a bid deal for the WSM series and as far as I'm concerned, the less aggravation the better.

I would just buy your choice of the the new Winchesters with the "controlled push feed" put a great barrel on it and be done.

Gabe

From what I can gather a modern action is the best way to go. The only work I do myself at this point is stock painting and bedding. I guess the M1999 action, or M700 is where I will be headed....I was looking for something different not a headache!

Thanks
Frank D