RKD,



Fair warning, building custom rifles is like eating peanuts, just one will never do.



Seriously here is what I would suggest. First of all you WILL need a gunsmith if you want to go the route you mentioned. Trying to save some $ by doing it yourself would require an investment in tools that will far exceed any gunsmith fees, but there are ways to build affordable custom rifles.



Here are a couple things that need to be done to a millsurp Mauser for building a 30-06 length case. First of all it is a standard length action BUT the magazine box needs to be opened up to accomodate a 30-06. The reciever will need to be drilled and tapped for scope mounts and the bolt handle needs to be altered if a scope is to be employed. For rebarreling, headspace needs to be set with the use of a lathe and you would need a barrel vice and an action wrench to replace bbls. In short, your time and recources will be better spent finding a good 'Smith.



Want an affordable and simple way to build your own custom Mauser? Find a JC higgins (Sears) FN Mauser and go from there. They are better than Millsurp Mausers anyway. You could send it off to Shaw for a new bbl in whatever chambering you desire for a nominal fee or go with the existing bbl if shoots OK and suits your needs. Then there is refinishing and stock work which is the most doable phase of custom building by the average Joe IMHO. Another thing that might be worth looking into is Building with a Savage action. They are good actions, quite affordable, shoot like nobodys business and would benefit tremendously from a nice piece of wood and a little TLC.



Whatever you decide, have fun!

Midway also has package deals that come with a new stock and barrel. You could put the new barrel on then ream it in place until the bolt closes on a round or go gauge. Clymer sells an extension that will fit down through the action to turn the finnish reamer. You could do this part by hand. Or you could buy the kit, then pay a smith to replace the bbl and headspace it, then put on your new stock. Reamer rentals used to rent reamers, but it sounds like they have been sold and are under new management.

RKD

I would suggest that you invest about $50 and buy the 3 tape video set from AGI on sporterizing mauser actions. I have the set, and although not as complete as one would like at times, it is very very good at explaining what can be done and what needs to be done. It really is a worthwhile investment if you plan on doing Mausers.

Blue

Thanks for the replies!
Alot of the work on the action is done already, it is drilled and tapped, bent bolt, 30/06 magazine, so i suppose i could justify taking it to a smith to headspace the barrel. Another reason i probably will have to go to a smith is that i live in the land of hockey pucks and Molsons(Canada) and i cant just order a barrel from Midway or Brownells, and i haven't found anywhere else yet.

I think i might have a problem as i haven't even started this project and i am dreaming up my next one already!
Do you guys think it would be worthwhile to invest in some of the gunsmithing specific tools if i plan on doing a couple guns? I already have a shop full of general wood and metal work tools.
Blue
I've looked at the AGI videos a hundred times on ebay and other places and have never gone through with it. I read somewhere that the videos are focused mainly on high dollar conversions and not as much on the budget jobs. I might still cave in and buy them.

RKD,
I built a 338-06 on a VZ-24 action using an A&B barrel and she shoots 1 MOA at 100 yds. You have to buy a reamer and for the $80 - $150 bucks that it would run you you may well be better off having a gunsmith do it. You'd be able to upgrade your barrel choice and he can true the recieved for you as well. You can do it but here again you are buying tools and if only one gun is in the works then it is not a good investment. From what I have heard, the A&B barrels are inconsistent. One will be a great shooter and the other will make it seem like you are throwing rocks downrange. My first one shoots though and it was a fun project. Most of my custom guns where a Douglas barrel and Dave at IT&D guns in Minerva, OH has done the metal work. He's good and very reasonable.

Another way to go is to bet a pre-threaded and long chambered barrel from Lothar Walther. Dave is putting together a 25-06AI for me on a LW barrel that I sent him. I am stoked about getting this piece of English on it and getting out in the field. If you go this route you will have to have a smith or a lathe to set the barrel back for the proper head space.

It will cost more than you think but if you take your time, enjoy getting your hands dirty, and like the smell of Tung oil you will be rewarded with a gun you can be proud of. Good Luck!

Cheers,
Jason

I wonder why the import restrictions to Canada? Is there any barrel makers in Canada that you could go to?

Lar, some US companies have decided to interpret the home security act as a ban on sales to Canada. Some companies will ship up to $100 US without an import permit (which Canada doesn't require, but US law says they can't ship without one), some companies just ignore it completely. It also depends on what you want to bring across the border, and how they are interpreting the phrase "significant firearm parts". FWIW - Dan

It's a stupid law, IMO. I'm sure it doesn't make anybody safer. It's suprising that the law is on the US side and not us Canadians. I know of some companies that wont even ship a scope to Canada. I emailed Midway and they said that they will ship an order to a dealer in Canada and they are going to get back to me next week with a full list of dealers. Hopefully there are a few to choose from because even with the exchange rate, those stock and barrel combos are almost too good to pass up!