Decided I needed a tactical rifle, not sure why, thought it would be a fun range toy.

Just didn't want to pay the big bucks they seem to cost.

So I tried to make a functional rifle on a tight budget and I think I succeeded?

1. Started with a Stevens (Savage) short action. $250 after selling factory barrel
2. Found a closeout deal on a 308, 1/12 twist MRC stainless barrel #5 contour., $75+$75 to chamber=$150
3. Boyds tacticool stock, $100
4. Weaver bases and rings $45
Super Sniper 10x mil, milquad scope $300
5. Reworked factory trigger, new spring, Free
6. Ceracote, flat dark earth, $40, applied myself.
6. Krylon for stock, $15.

End result, total spent $900, and it shoots 168 Amax's into 1/2" groups!
I am lovin it.

Sounds like success! Gotta love small groups.

With the camo you almost cannot see the barrel nut! LOL

But seriously...

VERY nice.

Always interested in home brew cerakote projects. How did you go about baking it?

That is a Boyd's wood laminate?

Man...

I crawled all over the Boyds website and CANNOT get to the tacticool stock. They must not want folks to find out about it! LOL

Robert,
Yes the stock is a Boyds laminate, it used to be called the tacticool, I checked there web site and it's now called the pro varmint.
It comes with a textured black paint, looks like Polane, not sure though?

My Cerakote oven is a steel bluing tank on my Coleman stove with a piece of insulation on top. I use an oven thermometer to get the temp right.
Seems to work well.
I use a Harbor Freight gravity feed, detail spray gun and water trap in the air line.
Did I mention this was a budget project?

Oh and don't be dissing the nut! grin

The barrel nut is what makes the Savage superior to all others without nuts. Even my Remington's now have nuts. A rifle with out a nut is just another nutless wonder.

nice rifle and you did yourself and that makes it even better

Nice job....Salvage guns are for guys with tinkeritus...

Yes too the Salvage nut makes it easy to set up your own

projects..been doing it about 14 years now...last two builds

were using the Target Action for LR p/dog rigs..

No!!! Say it isn't so? You can't shoot 1/2" groups for anything less than 6K when it comes to a Tactical Rifle. Well done!

"6k rifle- check
Multicam or Kryptek camo -check
Horus Kestrel- check
Uber cool rangefinder- check
UNS mount but no night vision gear- check
Super high post count on Snipers Hide- check

The ability to actually hit anything.........." - Jay.Sharkbait-