How do you build your own rifle?

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30-12-2012, 11:51 PM
RimfireNZ

How do you build your own rifle?

Hey guys,
I have a perfectly good, almost brand new 223 in my gun safe (that doesn't get used). What I was thinking of doing was flicking it off for a 17 Hornet when they come out. I love my little 17HMR, but want a little more range, and not to have to buy overpriced, inconsistent factory ammo.

Instead, I could use what I've got (or sell it) and build my own rifle. I like the sound of having a wildcat rifle, and a 17-223 sounds like a good idea to me (sure it's not all that efficient for powder usage... and it's nearly the same as a 17 remington, but hell who cares).

So, if one of you guys that likes to build your own rifles was going to go through a process like this... what would you do and where would you go to get stuff?

I'm wondering if I can just get a 223 action from Howa, get a custom barrel from somewhere (no idea where or what cost), and put it all together in a Boyds stock.

Is this something someone with reloading knowledge good enough to reload factory rounds (and no fancy shit) should be attempting? I obviously don't want to blow myself up loading for a caliber that doesn't exist.
31-12-2012, 12:01 AM
Spanners

If its pretty close to 17 Rem, then just send it off to someone and get them to rebarrel it in 17 Rem and flick the factory barrel on TM or something
Can buy dies, brass etc - all easy

There is a good Sub 224 cal forum around in the US - cant remeber the name of it off hand - Sauiber? - lots of info etc there
31-12-2012, 12:13 AM
RimfireNZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanners

If its pretty close to 17 Rem, then just send it off to someone and get them to rebarrel it in 17 Rem and flick the factory barrel on TM or something
Can buy dies, brass etc - all easy

There is a good Sub 224 cal forum around in the US - cant remeber the name of it off hand - Sauiber? - lots of info etc there

Cheers Spanners. That's always another option too (providing it's not the cost of a new rifle!). Is 17 REM still able to use the 223 bolt?

It's kind of a big clunker of a rifle for a 223. It's long action (or looks it compared to my 7mm model 700), and weighs a tonne. Hence I was possibly thinking of building something smaller. Those little Zatsavas are sized nice for a 223... maybe something like that would make an ok base.
31-12-2012, 08:45 AM
kimjon

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimfireNZ

Cheers Spanners. That's always another option too (providing it's not the cost of a new rifle!). Is 17 REM still able to use the 223 bolt?

It's kind of a big clunker of a rifle for a 223. It's long action (or looks it compared to my 7mm model 700), and weighs a tonne. Hence I was possibly thinking of building something smaller. Those little Zatsavas are sized nice for a 223... maybe something like that would make an ok base.

A Zastava would be an awesome base, but some guys are trying to sell them for more than the brand new price on Trademe. A few years ago you wouldn't have paid more than $300 for a secondhand one.

kj
31-12-2012, 08:51 AM
zimmer

For the 17 Hornet the obvious choice is a BRNO 22 Hornet with a knachered barrel. Soddy?
31-12-2012, 09:07 AM
mucko

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimfireNZ

Hey guys,
I have a perfectly good, almost brand new 223 in my gun safe (that doesn't get used). What I was thinking of doing was flicking it off for a 17 Hornet when they come out. I love my little 17HMR, but want a little more range, and not to have to buy overpriced, inconsistent factory ammo.

Instead, I could use what I've got (or sell it) and build my own rifle. I like the sound of having a wildcat rifle, and a 17-223 sounds like a good idea to me (sure it's not all that efficient for powder usage... and it's nearly the same as a 17 remington, but hell who cares).

So, if one of you guys that likes to build your own rifles was going to go through a process like this... what would you do and where would you go to get stuff?

I'm wondering if I can just get a 223 action from Howa, get a custom barrel from somewhere (no idea where or what cost), and put it all together in a Boyds stock.

Is this something someone with reloading knowledge good enough to reload factory rounds (and no fancy shit) should be attempting? I obviously don't want to blow myself up loading for a caliber that doesn't exist.

i see adi has load data for 17-223 so there must be all the gear out there to camber it.

when i started out looking at a wildcat i wanted to neck down the 308 norma magnum after doing some homework i found the 264 win mag was only 1mm shorter so i chose to compromise. so if theres something close to what you want you could save a lot of coin. on the other hand what if you necked down like a 7mm fatso a used a short action, just a insane thought.
31-12-2012, 07:12 PM
Beavis

Why not re-chamber your Savage to .223 AI? Chuck it in a fibreglass stock etc
31-12-2012, 07:36 PM
RimfireNZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beavis

Why not re-chamber your Savage to .223 AI? Chuck it in a fibreglass stock etc

Do the ackley improved versions of these calibers actually make enough of a difference to bother?

I want a small, light little carry rifle that is quiet. Plus... I want a 17 cal... for no other reason than I want one. I love my 17HMR and just want another 100 meters out of it.

Maybe I just need to get a 17 hornady hornet. Unless I can get my hands on a burnt out little brno or zatsava or something I can get rebarreled. I'm in no rush anyway.
01-01-2013, 08:48 AM
madjon_

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimfireNZ

Do the ackley improved versions of these calibers actually make enough of a difference to bother?

I want a small, light little carry rifle that is quiet. Plus... I want a 17 cal... for no other reason than I want one. I love my 17HMR and just want another 100 meters out of it.

Maybe I just need to get a 17 hornady hornet. Unless I can get my hands on a burnt out little brno or zatsava or something I can get rebarreled. I'm in no rush anyway.

.17 Javaliener? I read about them,I think on that Suabier sight
01-01-2013, 10:24 AM
madjon_

Saubier.com
03-01-2013, 12:04 PM
skeet72

300 black out use exzisting brass and re barrel the rifle
03-01-2013, 08:00 PM
Savage1

If you are wanting to sell your .223 and it's a Savage, PM me, I may be interested but I'm really wanting an AR or R15
11-01-2013, 10:56 AM
Bill999

.17 Predator Centerfire Wildcat Rifle Cartridge

there was a really good 17cal rifle builder i was reading about a few years back

the short fall is the rifle becomes overbore and dosnt have the 10,000+ life span of the 223

brass prep is a pain in the ass, if you can go standard cal and avoid it id reccomend that, or else get into it knowing that you will live to hate that job

might as well go 17-204 if the action is capable, but like you say a zastava mini action would be a much better start point, and they are cheep to buy.

the trick is stay with the same bolt face and bullet taper if possible then feeding problems dont rear their ugly head, and gunsmith costs are limited

possible options that would be easy would be the 17-223 17-222 17-204 or an akley version of any one of those
with the 17-204 at least you are only necking down from 20 cal to 17 instead of 22 cal.
but as allways 223 would be the cheapest source of cases

the best way to go about it is work backwards from the end product you want, that way atleast when you finish you end up with something you want to use.
11-01-2013, 04:07 PM
skeet72

Sabot slugs, sabot rounds, shooting reloading, hunting reloading, sabots, reloading components, sabot ammo, sabot reloading, reloading ammunition, sabot bullets, varmint hunting, sabot results, sabot pictures, sabot ammunition, sabot starter kit, sab
why not some thing like this
11-01-2013, 08:22 PM
ebf

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeet72

Sabot slugs, sabot rounds, shooting reloading, hunting reloading, sabots, reloading components, sabot ammo, sabot reloading, reloading ammunition, sabot bullets, varmint hunting, sabot results, sabot pictures, sabot ammunition, sabot starter kit, sab
why not some thing like this

Sabot accuracy sucks like Electrolux. If it worked, every competitive bench rest shooter would be using it :P
17-01-2013, 10:41 AM
leathel

why not 20 cal? easier to load and those 17 pills are just that bit smaller and harder to grab... Will have the legs and longer barrel life compared to the 17

or better yet use the 223 and learn a bit of drop, my kids one with its Tui man can is soo quite, less than a .22lr and it will be able to shoot thousands of rounds through it, big 17 cals bark pretty load so need a can more so than a 223 IMHO
17-01-2013, 01:40 PM
The Claw

1 Attachment(s)

Re: How do you build your own rifle?

Can't wait to get my 17 cal up & running. It's on the way back from tuiman now. Was up there for a can and flute job, but there was a surprise for Abe when he unscrewed the barrel... :rolleyes: its now a 17 fireball (thanks for the reamer Muzr257). Had my 1st go at brass forming for it. From 222 to 17fb...

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17-01-2013, 01:45 PM
The Claw

1 Attachment(s)

Re: How do you build your own rifle?

Eeekkk...

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17-01-2013, 02:38 PM
geezejonesy

would you care to explain :wtfsmilie:
17-01-2013, 02:47 PM
veitnamcam

Re: How do you build your own rifle?

Oh that's nasty!

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17-01-2013, 02:50 PM
leathel

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezejonesy

would you care to explain :wtfsmilie:

looks like some one has set the barrel back for a shorter case....by machining it back without cutting any new thread... only have of the action thread is used.... she don't get too much rougher than that.... I have seen a couple of shockers on old Mauser's as well :XD:
17-01-2013, 03:40 PM
GravelBen

If you want flat as a pancake shooting at moderate distances you could try loading some little 35 or 40gr projectiles for the 223, they get fairly close to 204 speeds and are pretty explosive on small game.

Realistically a different rifle isn't going to save you that much weight because yours (American Classic isn't it?) is average weight rather than heavy - Zastava is about 300g lighter IIRC and Savage Lightweight Hunter (lightest reasonably priced factory rifle I know of) 300g less than that.

Does it have a massive high-magnification scope on it? I made mine much nicer to carry/handle by swapping the 5-15x50 over to a spare 3-9x42 I had lying around.
18-01-2013, 10:05 PM
RimfireNZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by GravelBen

If you want flat as a pancake shooting at moderate distances you could try loading some little 35 or 40gr projectiles for the 223, they get fairly close to 204 speeds and are pretty explosive on small game.

Realistically a different rifle isn't going to save you that much weight because yours (American Classic isn't it?) is average weight rather than heavy - Zastava is about 300g lighter IIRC and Savage Lightweight Hunter (lightest reasonably priced factory rifle I know of) 300g less than that.

Does it have a massive high-magnification scope on it? I made mine much nicer to carry/handle by swapping the 5-15x50 over to a spare 3-9x42 I had lying around.

I have a 1:9 twist rate so I haven't tried the lighted pills yet. People keep telling me they wont shoot well in it, but I'll give it a go some time. I just don't want to cough up for a whole box of pills. The lightest I've tried 55 and they didn't shoot as well as the heavier stuff. So far 77s at the best.

And yeah I have a huge scope on it. A Weaver Grand Slam 6-20.
18-01-2013, 11:11 PM
Spudattack

Slow twist only affects heavier pills as it might not stabilise them, light pills will be sweet!
19-01-2013, 06:47 AM
RimfireNZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spudattack

Slow twist only affects heavier pills as it might not stabilise them, light pills will be sweet!

1:9 is a fast twist rate. I guess as long as the bullets hold together theres no such thing as too fast :P
19-01-2013, 08:16 AM
Spudattack

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimfireNZ

1:9 is a fast twist rate. I guess as long as the bullets hold together theres no such thing as too fast :P

Sorry rimfire, quite correct, was half pissed when I wrote that! Should still stabilise light pills no sweat!
19-01-2013, 10:01 AM
mucko

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimfireNZ

1:9 is a fast twist rate. I guess as long as the bullets hold together theres no such thing as too fast :P

if you have all the figures JBM check these calculators out might save you buying bullets for nothing and if your after a bullet you can push have a look here http://impalabullets.co.za/ happy hunting
21-01-2013, 08:41 PM
steven

223 should be good, what is it? a lee anerversary reloading kit is $200nz plus dies, say $80. You could then reload fairly cheaply.
21-01-2013, 10:48 PM
RimfireNZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven

223 should be good, what is it? a lee anerversary reloading kit is $200nz plus dies, say $80. You could then reload fairly cheaply.

Yeah I already reload for it, just tried 55, 69 and 77 grainers. The got more accurate as they got heavier. I might see about one of those sampler packs youcan get on trademe. Some of those lighter pills you can get up to 3700... Jeez that's moving.
27-01-2013, 11:54 PM
Wirehunt

PM me your address and I'll send some 50's up.
29-01-2013, 09:17 PM
Cyclist

The 50's (tried B-tip, Vmax + TNT) are the good shit in a .223, a real sweet spot for speed and drop over sensible ranges.. 9 isnt really a fast twist, 7 twist on the HK and the 50s were still scary good.

Dont let the haters talk you out of the .17 though - i am seriously keen on building a .17 hornet in the next year and I want to hear if they are any good or not ;)
29-01-2013, 10:20 PM
RimfireNZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirehunt

PM me your address and I'll send some 50's up.

Thanks Wirehunt. I'll PM you in a sec
29-01-2013, 10:22 PM
RimfireNZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclist

The 50's (tried B-tip, Vmax + TNT) are the good shit in a .223, a real sweet spot for speed and drop over sensible ranges.. 9 isnt really a fast twist, 7 twist on the HK and the 50s were still scary good.

Dont let the haters talk you out of the .17 though - i am seriously keen on building a .17 hornet in the next year and I want to hear if they are any good or not ;)

I'm still dead keen on a 17 hornet too... but I'm sorta thinking I'll need my 223 as well :P

I need to finish the 223 so I can take it out shooting. Because of some of the more open farms I've been shooting on, the HMR has stayed in the safe, and the only thing I have suitable for precision long range shooting is my 7mm08 with the 6-20 grand slam on it. If there's a bunny within 300 meters of me with that, they better watch out.
04-02-2013, 04:18 PM
TeRei

223 with 53 gr Sierra using BM2 or 748. Lighten your trigger to 2lbs and let the fun begin.:ORLY: