Building a .223 bolt gun on the cheap

zetabird · May 20, 2012, 09:41

With my first fal build comeing to a close I'm looking into building something else, I was thinking a bolt action in .223 or .308 seeing as I already have the gauges for it, and I'm wanting to do a low budget build, anyone have any tips or mabey spare parts laying around

fnogger · May 20, 2012, 10:09

Step 1 - go buy a Savage.

Step 2 - add scope and ammo.

Step 3 - no step 3. You are done.

**MAINER** · May 20, 2012, 13:38

As fnogger said, like the FAL, parts for bolt guns cost more than a factory rifle. Look in the used gun ads if you're looking for a low cost rifle.

MalcS · May 21, 2012, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnogger

Step 1 - go buy a Savage.

Step 2 - add scope and ammo.

Step 3 - no step 3. You are done.

Optionally, replace step 1 with

Step 1 - go buy a Tikka T3 Varmint

Red Elk · May 21, 2012, 16:43

I would second the "Go buy a Tikka T3 Varmint".
Very accurate.

I happen to have one for sale, if you are seriously interested. Like new.

re

**nearmisses** · June 06, 2012, 23:39

An Old Mark X interarms or the Remington equivalent today is a fine rifle and come in 223, sometimes they come cheap. Built one once that would shoot well under an inch groups with factory ammo action and barrel. Mini Mark X, they were called. now believe they are Rem 799?

shortround · June 07, 2012, 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnogger

Step 1 - go buy a Savage.

Step 2 - add scope and ammo.

Step 3 - no step 3. You are done.

First post is a winner.

Buy a Savage Edge or Axis with a scope/mount package.

Cheap as you can get and odds are, it will shoot.

zombie hunter · June 07, 2012, 01:31

The main reason we're building parts kit guns like FALs and AKs is because the government doesn't allow import of the whole gun, or even assembly from too many imported parts, unless it's an ATF-approved "sporting" configuration. Also, some of the rifles need to be de-milled and rebuilt to get rid of their "machinegun" status. None of this applies to bolt guns. As far as I know, almost everyone buys complete bolt guns and customizes them as desired, rather than building from scratch.

DYNOMIKE · June 07, 2012, 09:00

Buy a CZ and add optic..
Buy a SAVAGE and add optic.. (With one caveat)

Buy the nicer H-Bar SAVAGE, I think you would like it quite a bit.. I'm not impressed with the Edge or Axis rifles as they just feel kina cheap and the optics are not good at all. While these might make good reliable hunting rifles for someone on the cheap I wouldn't want one if real accuracy is your plan..

That being said as shortround noted it would be very tough indeed to buy a rifle and optic for less $$ then the EDGE or AXIS combo will cost.. If your main consideration is cost then that would be your best option..

**stimpsonjcat** · June 08, 2012, 16:28

I still keep searching for a ratted out 223 bolt gun I can put one of my spare AK74 bbls on to shoot 5.45 out of.

**gunplumber** · June 08, 2012, 22:47

The interams Mk X was my favorite .223. Sold it when girl child moved up to .308.

As mentioned above, you do not have the economy of scale. I buy Remington 700s for under $300 just for the parts. You can buy them new at walmart (ADL, crappy stock) for around $375.

**stimpsonjcat** · June 12, 2012, 16:48

Got an axis in 223 for cheap!

Now just time to work on this...

May 20, 2012, 09:41	#1
zetabird Registered FALaholic #: 64873 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Nappanee in Posts: 206	Building a .223 bolt gun on the cheap With my first fal build comeing to a close I'm looking into building something else, I was thinking a bolt action in .223 or .308 seeing as I already have the gauges for it, and I'm wanting to do a low budget build, anyone have any tips or mabey spare parts laying around

May 20, 2012, 13:38	#3
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,293	As fnogger said, like the FAL, parts for bolt guns cost more than a factory rifle. Look in the used gun ads if you're looking for a low cost rifle. __________________ Joe Biden for President.

May 21, 2012, 16:43	#5
Red Elk Registered FALaholic #: 31141 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Out West Posts: 58	accurate .223 bolt gun I would second the "Go buy a Tikka T3 Varmint". Very accurate. I happen to have one for sale, if you are seriously interested. Like new. re

June 06, 2012, 23:39	#6
nearmisses The LTR guy Contributor FALaholic #: 41474 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Laclede, Idaho Posts: 440	An Old Mark X interarms or the Remington equivalent today is a fine rifle and come in 223, sometimes they come cheap. Built one once that would shoot well under an inch groups with factory ammo action and barrel. Mini Mark X, they were called. now believe they are Rem 799? __________________ Lighter, lower, faster, & accurate!

June 07, 2012, 09:00	#9
DYNOMIKE Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 11982 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 13,986	Buy a CZ and add optic.. Buy a SAVAGE and add optic.. (With one caveat) Buy the nicer H-Bar SAVAGE, I think you would like it quite a bit.. I'm not impressed with the Edge or Axis rifles as they just feel kina cheap and the optics are not good at all. While these might make good reliable hunting rifles for someone on the cheap I wouldn't want one if real accuracy is your plan.. That being said as shortround noted it would be very tough indeed to buy a rifle and optic for less $$ then the EDGE or AXIS combo will cost.. If your main consideration is cost then that would be your best option.. __________________ "If your Gonna DIE, DIE Standing UP"!! The WOLVERINES.......

May 20, 2012, 10:09	#2
fnogger Registered FALaholic #: 51053 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: places Posts: 778	Step 1 - go buy a Savage. Step 2 - add scope and ammo. Step 3 - no step 3. You are done.

June 07, 2012, 01:31	#8
zombie hunter Registered FALaholic #: 62660 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 300	The main reason we're building parts kit guns like FALs and AKs is because the government doesn't allow import of the whole gun, or even assembly from too many imported parts, unless it's an ATF-approved "sporting" configuration. Also, some of the rifles need to be de-milled and rebuilt to get rid of their "machinegun" status. None of this applies to bolt guns. As far as I know, almost everyone buys complete bolt guns and customizes them as desired, rather than building from scratch.

June 08, 2012, 16:28	#10
stimpsonjcat Windoze free since 1-2010 Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 470 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Dawsonville, GA Posts: 4,206	I still keep searching for a ratted out 223 bolt gun I can put one of my spare AK74 bbls on to shoot 5.45 out of. __________________ peace! Happiness=UPS+ORMD "Your 8mm FAL is like a deuce coup with a Ferrari pancake 12 under the hood and a Jaguar rear end. It just kinda transcends cool into fantasy."- USMC 0341 "The stimpgewehr is the reason Waldo is hiding."- Kotengu Cause I can still hear his voice when I put it to my shoulder, "A guns like a woman son, it's all how you hold her."

June 08, 2012, 22:47	#11
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 15,785	The interams Mk X was my favorite .223. Sold it when girl child moved up to .308. As mentioned above, you do not have the economy of scale. I buy Remington 700s for under $300 just for the parts. You can buy them new at walmart (ADL, crappy stock) for around $375. __________________ T. Mark Graham Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

June 12, 2012, 16:48	#12
stimpsonjcat Windoze free since 1-2010 Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 470 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Dawsonville, GA Posts: 4,206	Got an axis in 223 for cheap! Now just time to work on this... __________________ peace! Happiness=UPS+ORMD "Your 8mm FAL is like a deuce coup with a Ferrari pancake 12 under the hood and a Jaguar rear end. It just kinda transcends cool into fantasy."- USMC 0341 "The stimpgewehr is the reason Waldo is hiding."- Kotengu Cause I can still hear his voice when I put it to my shoulder, "A guns like a woman son, it's all how you hold her."

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