Since the O/Ps out of the market, just a Post on the subject for posterity. First, while a "long action" described build does provide some specificity and exemplars of three great rifles, still pretty no-nonsense wise content... Just offering more in generalities!
My comments really go wider than building such rifle in these days of inflation and perhaps seeking to achieve 'most rifle' for a moderate price. Further narrowing to popular bolt action patterns, a huge aresna out there! But one fundamental division as between "new & used". A heck of a lot of very decent used guns, often for considerably less than the big Internet gun houses might suggest by their "sold" prices achieved. Sort of the Internet auction genre suggestion of pricing as an alternate reality!
Milsurp spoters... Mauser 98, Enfield 17, Springfield 03 & 30A3; all as mainstream rifles with huge part supplies. Some of those sporters born in the fifties/sixties era, with real potential. Moreover compared to new sporters, quite possibly in choosing wisely rifles with most features desired as only need to 'polish off' a bit with such as trigger & sight package. Possibly alread near 'fits' for you and just the more custom touches .
One of the big wild cards needing nailing down nowadays. Sometimes just the 'bits & pieces' adaptation to rifle of dream stuff, requiring gunsmith labor, tilting the 'great buys' into the 'don't go there!'
Decide what you're going to use the rifle for, at what ranges and such factors as a lot of 'packing' where wieght can become burdensome, too light where accuracy and recoil factors may be unhappy compromises. The fact of a chambering. Too many folks in my estimation get caught up in the exotic cartridge calamity. Maybe great 'on paper' chamberings and even in the field, but "availability..." What you can't get, you can't shoot. Even where you can obtain them, when arriving as "trio in a velvet lined box", at $12 each, there's a message there and a negative one. Use good judgement with a strong does of practical!
"Collector guns". The "R" word, "Rare". Likely somewhat less than 5% may factually fit that descripton in terms of what's on the market. It also carries a tight-rope category. Small irregularities in such rifles can knock large sums off value. If you aren't something of any expert or know such to evaluate for you... Don't play the game. Those rifles are also ones less appropriate to take into the field and subject to the elements.
Having just spoken about the rare collectibles... The nifty exception. What about all those 'collectible 'but for...' The factors that reduce them to field guns. There are some gems to be mined. The Winchster Model 70 that's been modified such as scope mount holes where there shouldn't be such and recoil pads installed where presumption of "aftermarket work" attendant... And what about just those Model 70 rifles with appearance of 'well used'. Still too many folks tryng to sell such rifles under "aura" only there by virtue of what they may be agian. What the O/P wisely illuded! Buy a Standard grade pre '64 Model 70 Winchester that's well used. To my thoughts often just "broken in". The barrel may be a real problem if worn. Replace, rebore, etc. in that action beats the heart of a Lion! REfinish the stock inf requried. But nothing wrong with a good used Model 70 and they are out there. Just have to be patient and 'mine for them'. 30-06 'the' by far prevalent chambering is one of the 'most likely to succeed' chamberings just as its over century popularity has granted it huge longevity and a round you can find about anywhere ammo to be sold.
Last, these Forums are like gold in terms of the expertise here to be tapped 'free'! Typically unbiased though we all have our preferences. I know I do! Yet the prevailing point, of a real resource. The hunting, shooting, target, collecting and home security perspectives, here the world is yours to explore with your own set of guides!
To all of you folks coming here as new to the "guns" arena, welcome and happy acquisitions!
Best!
John
