Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Dumoulin Custom Project

I need another custom project like I need a hole in the head but I've had a vision in my mind for years that simply must come to fruition and I have a Dumoulin action that I think may provide the opportunity I've been waiting for.

Has anyone used one as the basis for a build?

Here is the blueprint I'm considering; trying to make it as lightweight and weather resistant a build as possible:

Sunny Hill Dovetail Aluminum scope rings

High Tech Specialties Stock

Light contour barrel

FN Bottom metal or maybe blind?

All steel Metalife or Black-T plated

Don't know what cartridge. Thinking 6mm Rem, 257 AI, 25-06, 6.5x55, .280, .30-06, or 338-06.

I currently have:

6mm-250 (heavy!)
(2) 257 Rob (perfect)
257 AI (heavy!)
6.5x55 (perfect - classic styling)
6.5-06 (heavy)
7-08 (excellent)
30-06 (excellent)

If I went 6mm Rem, 257 AI or 25-06 I'd most likely sell the 6-250 or 257 AI I have. Glass will be Leupold 2-7x33mm or 6x36mm.

I like the idea of a .280, .30-06, or .338-06 more than I think I would the actual rifle as I feel really good about the 7-08 & 30-06 I have and tend to love and keep rifles I can really enjoy shooting a lot. I really don't hunt anything that necessitates anything bigger than a 7-08 either.

Anybody have suggestions/thoughts? What's a good target weight? 8 lbs doable? Is a short action cartridge AI'd worthwhile on this action... maybe 243 AI?

Thanks all,

Efw

6mm rem

A 7x64 is a classic Euro cartridge, perfect for that action and would duplicate the 280 Remington.

I have one of those actions. Was looking more towards a 9.3x62 or a .375 Ruger.

Can the Dumoulin bolt face be machined for 7mm Rem Mag case head size (0.532"?

The site says the bolt faces are set for 30-06 case head... (0.473")?

Why not 8x57???

Having one being made in .275 Rigby.

Yeah great minds Matt I figured you'd say that

Honestly I love the idea of a fast twist 6 better than all the rest put together.



9,3x62 is a great choice for bigger I like that.




With all due respect to a great cartridge it's just never done much for me.

Thanks for the suggestions ya'll! I'm pondering this thing pretty hard have lots of time and no need whatsoever... makes the planning stage more fun knowing there's no hurry!

Will have mine done in a few weeks and will show you pics of groups to help

I used one years ago for a .338-06. They are neat actions. Mine was stamped "Safari Arms" but they are the same action. I bought a Dumoulin action years later and they are exactly the same. The only thing I had done to the action was replace the bolt handle which wasn't necessary but I wanted something different. I found an old 1/2 octagon 1/2 round full integral rib guild barrel and had it re-bored.

My top caliber picks would be:
7X57
7X64
30-06
338-06
9.3X62

anyway here is the finished rifle.





IMO, they make a beautiful rifle.

Terry

Beautiful rifle. What are the specs on the scope mounting dovetail? Does it require a proprietary ring? Looking forward to this thread!

Sunnyhill makes a ring for this action, that's what mine are and the only source that I know of. efw mentioned aluminum, I thought they only made steel. I've also seen people mill them down to accept Talley rings.

efw, did your action not come with bottom metal?

Yeah I've actually gone in on the action with another member who only wanted the bottom metal. I have a nice looking FN unit and have wanted a blind mag, so figured it was a win/win.

Sunny Hill has only just recently started making the rings in aluminum.

How did you like the trigger and safety? They function well?

Tagging on to this one. A buddy of mine and I are building matching 280AI next year with our actions.

Yes, the trigger and safety both function well on mine. I've heard it can be hit or miss with them though.

I never was a big fan of the blind mag idea on a M98 until recently I handled one that was shortened to only hold 3 down. That along with the rounded bottom made it feel so handy, trim and elegant. Of course you would be stepping into custom wood stock though to achieve that. I still like the idea now.

Another vote for the 6mmAI as it is a long action. Twist fast 8 or even 7.5 to use up to 120 grain bullets. I would go traditional if Doumalin builds it and use Sunny hill bottom metal if it will fit. The Bartlein 0 contour is a nice option and the shank could be re-contoured to the feather weight radius step. NCGG iron sights would go on just for looks too.

If I could do a project like this mine would look like a cross between a British stalking rifle and an American classic.

Please post build photos for those of us that have the flat wallet problem but still have expensive tastes.

I just found these as another option for scope bases.

http://www.talleymanufacturing.com/Products/Scope-Ring-Bases-Peep-Sight/Dumoulin.aspx

Was it ever definitively determined where/who made these actions?

I am sure to some, it will not matter but I am always interested in the pedigree, fit/finish, etc of actions and rifles.

Bigger hole in the barrel lighter weight, I'd go #2 contour and 338-06 in a High-tech stock from Brownells.

I built a 400 Whelen out of mine, it's a great rifle.

Trigger was fine on mine, 'Smith had to clean the safety up a bit.