Building a dream rifle of your own

Guns Magazine, Nov, 2002 by Holt Bodinson

With simple hand tools and the resources of a few specialized firms, you can build your own dream rifle. It's never been easier, and once you've gone through the learning curve of puffing together that first rifle, it won't be your last. Here's the story of my new .338.

Recently, I realized I no longer owned a .338 Win. Mag. Heresy! I've owned and hunted .338s since 1965 and had just bartered away my pre-'64 Model 70 Winchester for some custom gunsmithing work that was far beyond my level of craftsmanship.

The .338 Win. Mag. has always been a magical caliber for me. It's ideal for elk, suitable for big bears, and usable on deer, caribou, sheep and African plains game--it's just a very versatile cartridge with great game bullets ranging from 175 to 250 grains. And it is not just potent, but accurate too. I've hunted with four .338's, and every one of them was a MOA rifle or better with true hunting handloads.

The decision to buy or build a new .338 was made for me when Legacy Sports International began importing a refined and affordable Model 98 Mauser action. The plan began to take form, and with the resources available from Shaw Barrels and Boyd's Gunstocks the project was off and running.

Where The Action Is

One hundred and four years after its introduction, the 1898 Mauser action is still the quintessential bolt action design. And with good reason.

Mauser designed his action to be the heart of a tough, foolproof battle rifle--an arm that could take the worst abuse of weather and war and still come up shooting. Spell that "reliability:" controlled round feeding; a heavy one piece firing pin and massive main spring; an extractor that cams tighter on the case the harder the bolt is withdrawn; strong breeching; excellent gas handling characteristics; capable of hand disassembly. It's the product of inspired genius and brilliant engineering.

Unless the safety is on, the bolt handle not closed, or the firing pin is broken, the Model 98 can be counted upon to go "Bang" when the trigger is pulled. That's what I treasure in a Model 98 action. In addition, in the unlikely event that a repair part is needed in the field, one can find Model 98 parts anywhere in the world.

A Fine New Commercial Mauser

Legacy Sports International's new Model 98s incorporate all of the best characteristics of the military Mauser plus those qualities we require in a sporting action. The action is of double square bridge design. The flats on the front receiver ring and rear bridge are both dovetailed for Legacy's factory rings as well as being drilled and tapped for a variety of base and ring configurations.

The bolt handle is elegantly swept down and back to clear scope sights. The bolt shroud has been streamlined, giving up nothing in terms of gas handling while incorporating a very contemporary three-position safety. The solid magazine box is fitted with a handsome straddle floorplate and an inside-the-trigger guard release. Finally, the action is supplied with a fully adjustable trigger.

The standard action was recently priced at $275 so it was a buy. Legacy Sports International also offers a true magnum Model 98 action as well as an extensive Howa rifle line, Puma brand Model '92 Winchester copies (in .454 Casull, no less!), and Silma O/U shotguns.

With action in hand, I needed a barrel.

Enter E.R. Shaw

When it comes to a company that not only makes high quality barrels, but will fit and chamber them to your bolt action for only $45, no one approaches the quality, selection and affordability offered by E.R. Shaw, Inc. E.R. Shaw is a separate, consumer oriented mail order division of Small Arms Mfg., a company founded in 1916 that makes and supplies premium grade rifle, pistol, shotgun and black powder barrels to many of the world's leading firearms manufacturers.

Shaw's centerfire rifle barrels, available in over 50 chamberings from .221 Rem, through .458 Win. Mag., plus a few wildcats, are offered in 4140 chrome-moly or 416R stainless steel. Six contours from light sporter to bull barrel profiles, plus Remington factory contours are available. Shaw also offers standard or helical fluting as an additional service.

Bargain Metalwork

For what I consider very reasonable charges, Shaw will polish or matte blue finish your barreled action ($75); open up a Mauser action for standard length magnum calibers ($50); forge and polish a military bolt handle for scope use ($40); lap locking lugs ($20); drill and tap receivers ($30); and a dozen other gunsmithing services.

Contacting Shaw, I requested that they open up the Legacy Mauser action for the .338 Win. Mag. Case, fit and chamber a 24 inch Number 3 contour barrel, and polish and blue the complete barreled action. In a little over a month, a good looking barreled action was received.

The workmanship, the polish, and the bluing were first rate. Cinching it in the vise, I ran a number of dummy .338 rounds through it to check feeding and extraction. Then to inhibit any possible after-rusting from the bluing process, I scrubbed out the bore with a brush and cleaner and treated the newly blued parts with a light coating of CorrosionX.