Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Help me build a full custom (wood and blue) rifle

I must say that is one of the finest looking falling block customs I've ever seen. Magnificent. That S&B scope sure is handsome as well.

My initial cartridge thought was for a .22 Hornet or maybe a .30-30. Here lately though I have had this creeping feeling that a .220 Swift would be fun in a light single. Twist it right to shoot TTSXs or Partitions reliably and it would be about all I need for our Southern deer, pigs and varmints of opportunity.

Definitely not interested in any of the Low Walls or High Walls. They just don't do anything for me. I am a much bigger fan of the lines on the "Farquharson-esque" actions.

The Soroka leaves me cold. The way the under lever pivot and trigger structure hangs below the action just does nothing for me. I am a much bigger fan of the Hagn, Dakota and Ruger where this structure is tucked into the action and stock.

I don't have one but do lust after a full custom single shot.

You should check out Dough Turnbulls work some excellent case coloring and also several iterations of single shots.

Decide if you want a more British, Continental or American style? Then see who specializes in that style. This would also dictate the cartridge somewhat say a .219 improved zipper versus a 5.65x57mm Rimmed.

Jim Kobe and Steven Dodd Hughs are masters with single shots no need to look further.

I vote for the Dakota #10 action. I've lusted for a long time . . .

IF I'm going to drop a LOT of coin on a full out custom rifle, it's going to be chambered for a cartridge I will shoot a bunch (no heavy recoil etc) and for something that I ain't gotta change out the barrel in 1000 rounds.

Absolutely fabulous!!!!

No disagreement here. That's why my first two choices were the Hornet and .30WCF. And I am leaning heavily towards the .30WCF. Low pressure round. Good brass life. Practically unlimited barrel life (more so with cast bullets)...plenty for my purposes.

The Swift is just one of those creeping thoughts. I admit it would be better served in a light bolt rifle build and not chambered for this project.

I have always had an itch to do a 25-35 AI on a single shot action. In between the 250AI and 257AI in performance which is a very good place to be. Likewise a 30WCF AI is close to a 300 savage and the 308 Win in performance. A pretty good all a rounder.

The zipper is perfect for a highwall but for a Hagn or Farquartson I would go Euro.

Check out some of these by SDH and drool. http://www.finegunmaking.com/

+1 Great advice

What do you want to kill? That has not been mentioned and would help in our advice.

"Southern deer, pigs and varmints of opportunity."

In a rifle like he's describing, a 7x57 Mauser would be classy and functional.

John

I think a 250-3000 would be classy or a 257Roberts. Largest would be a 7x57. A all would be great rounds for your project
GreggH

Probably a bit on the large side of what I am going to do. If I went Euro the Swede is about the only small cartridge I am interested in and I already have that covered. Don't want to do any of the large stuff on this build.

Hondo's post immediately made me think of the Roberts but I could definitely get into a .250 Savage. That is one that has been on the radar for a while but I have never played with before. I could definitely see that being a good fit here.

War_Eagle,

Roger Ferrell in Lafayette, GA (just outside ATL) is a guild member and does beautiful work. I haven't talked to him in a couple years. But there are pics of his work around the internet. He can build from the ground up or do a collaboration. Always been easy to work with and reasonable on his pricing for the quality of work he produces.

War Eagle
You definitely would have the only 250 in your neck of the woods.
GreggH

I"d worry most that I"m putting the best barrel on that I could, if spending that amount of time and money.

beautiful #1 in 300 h+H

Here's my custom #1- hardly a light rifle, going around 8 lb., but certainly no heavyweight, either. Chambering is 7mm RCBS, but nowadays I shoot only .280 Rem. ammo in it- just as accurate as the wildcat, without the fuss. Barrel band sling swivel, and I use a leather buttstock cover with sling attached, to help protect the checkered metal on the buttplate.

I have owned this rifle for 35 years- Stock was done by Al Lind, in California English walnut, metalwork by Ray Viramontez, barrel is Shilen. Niedner-style pistol grip gap, and fine-checkered Biesen metal buttplate. Just got her back from the gunsmith today, who lightened the Ruger Lawyer trigger to a crisp 3 lb. I intend to use her this fall, to shoot a hog or two, and a red deer hind for meat.