Precision rifle shooting continues to gain popularity among civilian shooters, and it’s really no wonder why. It’s about far more than just making precise hits at a variety of distances. Instead, it’s about being able to make those shots in various situations and from different angles. There’s a lot that goes into precision shooting, and that means you need the right rifle to do it. If you’ve considered building a custom precision rifle, we’re here to tell you it’s possible. It’s not cheap, but it’s not hard to do. This shouldn’t be used as an in-depth or exhaustive rifle build guide but as a starting point.
What’s a custom precision rifle?
While you can certainly get a precision rifle as a factory build, it can be nice to have one made just for you. That might mean you take extra steps to customize your existing rifle beyond adding optics or installing a new trigger; it might mean you’re interested in building the rifle from the ground up. A custom precision rifle build is a great way to get a rifle that fits your needs and that’s exactly what you want. Yes, custom builds tend to cost a bit more, but it’s well worth it for the end result.
What’s the first step to a custom precision rifle build?
For the purpose of this article, let’s assume you’re going with a bolt-action rifle. It doesn’t have to be a bolt-action, but odds are that’s the direction you’ll go. The first thing you need to do is determine which caliber you’d like to use. There are quite a few options on the market; some of which perform better than others. Before you make your final choice, stop and consider the availability of parts. More obscure calibers are going to be a bigger challenge for a custom build. Also, consider the neverending challenge of finding ammo. If you’re planning to hand-load your ammo, you still have to be able to locate components. Below are some common precision rifle calibers:
- 6.5 Creedmoor
- 308 Winchester
- 260 Remington
- 300 Winchester Magnum
- 6mm ARC
- 7mm PRC
- 6mm Creedmoor
- 300 PRC
- 224 Valkyrie
Some of these are more common or popular than others. Don’t select your caliber based on popularity. Instead, choose the caliber based on whether it can accomplish the things you need it to do. After all, precision rounds are not all created equal.
What parts do you need to build a custom precision rifle?
There are quite a few major parts to purchase before you get your hands dirty with the actual building of the rifle. Start with the action, trigger, barrel, and bolt handle (if you want a specific design). From there, you’ll want to find a compatible chassis system or stock. There are a ton of top-notch stocks and chassis systems currently offered by popular providers including MDT, Magpul, ProMag Industries, and more. These are considered the major components of the rifle build. From here, you might also consider adding additional accessories such as rifle scopes, bipods, muzzle devices, and rail systems.
Most shooters consider the barrel the most important piece of a precision rifle build. A well-made, high-quality precision barrel doesn’t come cheap, but it is definitely worth investing in. Before purchasing any parts, be sure that they’re compatible with one another. Compatibility can be an issue with any firearm build and bolt-action rifles are no different. So before you blow a ton of cash on various parts and components, do your due diligence.
What tools do you need to build a custom precision rifle?
If you’re doing all the building yourself, we’re assuming you have some experience and knowledge of the task at hand. However, if you’re totally new to it, you might want to ask an experienced friend or gunsmith for help. Quite a few small details go into building a bolt-action rifle and it’s a good idea to be sure you’re familiar with the process so it’s done correctly. That said, you’re going to need some tools, including:
- Gunsmith vise
- Barrel vise
- Brass punch set
- Bench block
- Two-sided non-marring hammer (one end being brass)
- Gunsmith screwdriver set
- Torque wrenches
- Action wrench
- Go/no-go gauge
- Anti-seize
There are other specialty tools you can certainly use, some builders swear by and others they see as nice to have but definitely not a must.
How to build a custom precision rifle?
Assuming you’re starting with basic, larger pieces rather than getting into the minutiae, the overview of steps includes:
- Secure the receiver in the gun vise, which should be padded to avoid marring the finish
- Mount the barrel to the receiver
- Attach the trigger to the receiver
- Mount the barreled action to the stock
- Attach rings or scope mount and scope
This is a very simplified version of the steps that go into a bolt-action rifle build. The more precise you want your rifle to be, the more time you’re going to spend on intricate details and tiny steps. But the overall steps are fairly basic.
Barrel bedding is a topic that regularly comes up in the world of bolt-action rifles with some swearing by it and others saying it isn’t really necessary. If you want a truly precise gun it’s a good idea to move forward with barrel bedding, and unless you’re familiar with the process, you’ll want to get a qualified gunsmith to do it for you. No, you don’t have to bed most barrels today, but it’s also not a bad idea to do it. You can also choose to have the barrel bedded at a later time. It doesn’t have to be done immediately.
As for the go/no-go gauge, it’s a must to be sure your build has the proper spacing. Some builders use spent brass as a gauge and you certainly can, but it tends to be a bit more precise if you use a gauge. And why not be as precise as possible?
If you’re not piecing together tiny parts before the main steps of the build, assembling the rifle can be a relatively quick procedure. Just remember: the more precise you need your rifle to be, the more care and time goes into the selection of parts and the build itself. It’s possible to build an accurate, reasonably precise bolt-action rifle swiftly, but giving yourself time to get lost in the details can lead to greater precision on target.
Don’t be afraid to go to a qualified gunsmith. There’s nothing wrong with admitting you don’t know something and it’s far better to learn from a skilled gunsmith than a YouTube video. In fact, we highly recommend consulting with an experienced gunsmith at the very least. There’s far more to bolt-action rifles than fitting the major pieces together and it can be both helpful and interesting to learn more about them.
Have you built a bolt-action rifle or are planning to do so? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
