Bolt gun build - share yours

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I’m moving away from my Savage Axis 223 since there’s minimal aftermarket support for that gun. I’ve been very happy with the 223 performance on coyotes and cats, minimal pelt damage from 20-150 yards. New gun will likely be a 223 for that reason

My wants…
—aftermarket support (triggers, stocks)
—max 20” barrel, I like short guns
—threaded
—minimal bolt throw angle
—hoping for $800 or less on gun

Interest list…
—Browning X-Bolt
—Tikka
—Ruger American series / or American Gen2
—CVA Cascade
—Franchi Momentum Varmint Elite
—Bergara b14

Feel free to recommend other guns/ calibers. Post photos of your setups if it matches my needs
 
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Not sure where you came up with savage not having enough aftermarket support... Try getting a chassis for a Franchi or a CVA...
 
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price said:
Any person on earth knows the Axis line has minimal aftermarket options
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With all due respect, I think your research is lacking.

Just FYI, there were a couple of Tikka's in 223 for sale over on the 24hr Campfire in your price range. IDK if they are still there or not.
 
I really like my tikka. It’s not 20 inches but you can get it cut. In my opinion, they have some of the best aftermarket support. My one gripe with tikka is the barrels don’t come threaded.

I’ve had x bolt, bergara, and ruger before but this has been my first tikka. I got it because of the aftermarket support and have yet to be disappointed.

Nice thing about the tikka is the 1-8 twist for heavier bullets.

I put a Yo Dave trigger spring in it right away and I freaken love the trigger. Also got the swept bolt handle and knob from anarchy outdoors and it’s pretty sweet.

I made some modifications to the barrel channel on the stock right away and painted it before going semi custom with it down the road. These first pics are how it started and the last are what it is now.
 

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I dont know about axis rifles, but you could get a savage 110 action, put a custom barrel on, real easy to do with a savage. There are a decent number of stock options for them now. Its really a good platform to just put together a gun the way you want it. Jaoutdoors is a good place to get actions. If the one you want says out of stock, its worth asking.
My savage 223, i just bought a 110 lightweight action and swapped the bolt face, and ordered a 16", threaded, 8 twist 233 wylde barrel. Put the barrel on myself, trigger swap, drop it in a chassis, done deal.
Im shooting the black hills 5.56 77tmk out of it. Shoots those and the 64gr 223 gamechanger ammo equally well
 
Of those two choices, RRA or CVA, I would go RRA. The Ruger has a lot of support from barrels to triggers to stocks. I would opt for the Gen 2 Ruger as well. I think they are a little nicer rifles than the older version.
 
hm1996 said:
I know this is not what you're looking for, but here's a peek at how it was done "back in the day" ;). Start with a Mod. 98 Mauser rifle:

View attachment 9513
Add a slab of walnut and a barrel blank of your choice and a few hours........
View attachment 9515
:)
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I’ve got an old Turkish Mauser chambered in 30-06. I killed a lot of deer with it back in the day, using the iron sights. I think they hold their nostalgia in their original stock😁
 
Infidel 762 said:
I’ve got an old Turkish Mauser chambered in 30-06. I killed a lot of deer with it back in the day, using the iron sights. I think they hold their nostalgia in their original stock😁
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Here's the last one I used as a donor. It was a 1903 A3 Springfield with a barrel which I had shot out but otherwise in good mechanical condition similar to one pictured below. I had a 26-28" Chandlin bull barrel through which I had put 7500 rounds in it's first life in a pre-64 Mod. 70 match rifle. The Mod. 70 barrel had begun to throw a flier now and then due to throat erosion, but lots of beef allowed my gunsmith to shorten barrel to 24" rethread to fit the 03 and rechamber to 30-06. Picked up a bishop stock blank and closely duplicated the Mod. 70 target stock. Altered the bolt and put a Timney trigger in it and it shot like a new barrel, all for a fraction of the cost of a new Chandlin barrel.
1722643591054.jpeg

Fitted Redfield sight bases for a set of Redfield International sights and used the rifle in offhand practice to save wear and tear on my match rifle.
1722644149615.jpeg

No way would I alter an old WWI or II military rifle today, but in the '50's there were barrels full of them in hardware & farm stores for $9-$20 apiece, take your pick. No one dreamed they would ever become scarce as they are today.
 
I personally would find a small bolt face 700/722/Sav.10 and build what you want. I've done all three. You don't have to compromise on any part.

700 in 20P
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722 in 22-250AI
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Sav 10 in 22-204
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I look seriously at a Howa Mini also for a factory rifle. Have one and am ordering another next week.

Howa Mini 6.5G
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All of mine but one are hunting rifles and my personal limit is 300 yards so weight and handling are my most important goals.
 
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