Important Things to Consider When Building a Custom Rifle

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Browse the offerings of any gun retailer—brick-and-mortar or online—and you will find ample sub-MOA precision hunting rifles. Select one that catches your eye, top it with a matching optic and success in the field is highly probable. Still, an off-the-shelf rifle is the culmination of another's objective. The satisfaction of theorizing, designing, developing and shooting a custom rifle can be a substantial confidence booster.

Ultimately, a rifle is a tool with an intended purpose. Whether the rifle will be used for shooting competitively or hunting, a custom build should closely match the objectives of its intended purpose. Therefore, defining the rifle’s purpose is paramount to a successful project. I have completed three custom rifle builds, two recently. Here are a few key takeaways I gleaned from my endeavors.

Cartridge and Chambering

My first custom rifle’s purpose was big game, primarily Coues deer. For that rifle, I selected the 7mm Remington Magnum chambering. My decision was swayed by its ballistic performance, which is optimal for making shots in the steep, rugged terrain I love to hunt. In many cases, shots are 500+ yards because that’s as close as one can get. For other big game, such as elk, the .284 bullet diameter provides several excellent choices. Lastly, I wanted readily available factory ammo and most retailers carry a wide range of 7mm Rem. Mag. offerings.

The premise for the two recent gun-building projects was to have two rifles, one primarily for elk and the other for backcountry hunting, where each could back up the other. I stayed with the .284 caliber for both, selecting the new up-and-coming 7 PRC and the tried-and-proven .280 Ackley Improved chamberings.

Selecting a rifle’s chambering should be thoughtful and purposeful to create the perfect tool.

Action

Selecting the best action and receiver is more manageable when matched with a specific chambering. Depending on the choice, the type of action is narrowed. Several options exist, from semi-auto AR platforms to single-shot actions. However, a bolt-action is likely the most popular choice. It was for my intended purpose of the two rifles. Even so, there are still many decisions to make including weight, length, magnum, bolt throw and rail style to name a few.

My 7mm Rem. Mag. was built on a Defiance Tactical action, as the objective was to make the rifle as lightweight as possible. Defiance Machine and many other top-notch manufacturers, such as BAT Machine and Stiller, offer a variety of custom bolt actions. Another option is to build off an existing rifle’s action. I created the 7 PRC and .280 AI custom rifles from two existing Remington 700 rifles I already owned.

The Remington 700 action is a longtime industry standard and, while many other action manufacturers offer cloned representatives, it’s a solid choice.

Barrel

It’s imperative that the barrel and cartridge are matched to create optimal ballistic performance. The chosen chambering and intended projectile(s) will predetermine a few of the barrel’s features, specifically twist rate and, to a lesser degree, length. Material, contour, rifling and fluting are additional features that must be considered. If you intend to install a muzzle device—brake or suppressor—the barrel needs to be threaded.

All three of my custom rifles feature a carbon-fiber Proof Research barrel with a twist rate matched to each rifle's specific chambering. Dually, they are all threaded for use with a removable muzzle brake or suppressor.

Stock

The stock is the conduit between the action and barrel assembly and the shooter. It’s used to control the gun, including actuating the trigger; it should match the shooter well. Many types of stocks are available, including wood and synthetic traditional stocks and chassis stocks. When selecting a stock, magazine selection, fixed or detachable, will have to be accounted for and will also influence the bottom metal required.

My 7mm Rem. Mag. was set in a super-lightweight McMillan synthetic stock, as the gun's light weight was a primary objective. I used an XLR Industries Element 4.0 Magnesium chassis stock and an AG Composites Privateer carbon-fiber stock for my two recent projects.

Many stocks today include an aluminum pillar block that does NOT require bedding. However, a quality builder might still suggest doing so to ensure the most precise fit.

Trigger

Triggers come in many configurations and designs. To choose the best one for the job, it’s not just pull weight that needs to be considered. Single-stage and two-stage triggers are available. Additionally, there are curved and straight triggers. A trigger’s features should match the shooter’s preferences. A solid choice is a user-adjustable trigger that allows shooters to fine-tune the pull weight, overtravel and take up.

A quality trigger is the easiest method to increase accuracy in my book. Shooting the lightest-weight trigger in your comfort zone will increase accuracy and promote confidence. My 7 PRC build features the original Remington trigger, fine-tuned to break at approximately two pounds with absolutely no creep. The other two builds feature single-stage, user-adjustable triggers set near one pound for optimal accuracy performance.

Optics

It’s never too early to discuss good glass. The gun's intended purpose will unveil practical matched optics solutions. The ideal riflescope for a mountain rifle versus a long-range rifle will vary vastly. Options to choose from include tube diameter, ocular and objective size, magnification (fixed or variable), reticle type (crosshair configuration), first (FFP) or second (SFP) reticle focal plane and turret adjustment (MOA or MIL). Overall weight and size should also be considered.

The optics solutions for my three custom builds are all Nightforce scopes with a wide variation of the features above. The 7mm Rem. Mag. is topped with an SHV 5-20X, SFP duplex reticle and MOA adjustment for simplistic use in the field. The 7 PRC features an NX8 2.5-20X, FFP MOAR reticle and MOA adjustment for mid-range shot-making. The .280 AI rifle is a long-range tool and utilizes the ATACR 7-35X, FFP MIL-R reticle and MIL adjustment.

A top-quality optic, matched with a rifle’s purpose, provides superior performance and breeds confidence.

Accessories

Other considerations for your build include protective coatings and attachments. Cerakote and other available finishes provide protection from the elements. Additionally, colored coating added to elements such as bolts, rings and bases gives the rifle its custom appearance. Other options include magazine type, sling swivels and rails for carrying and shooting attachments such as slings and bipods.

Ammo

Custom ammo, purchased or reloaded for a custom rifle, is an excellent choice for the discerning marksman but it is unnecessary. The wide array of factory ammo available readily provides hunters and shooters with flexible and accurate options that are pragmatic for any big-game species. Hornady, Federal, Nosler and Weatherby, to name a few, offer off-the-shelf ammo solutions to match any hunter’s preferences.

Builder

As you can see, building a custom rifle involves several cascading decisions. Careful consideration should be taken to ensure a purpose-built tool is created. For that reason, selecting a credible, knowledgeable rifle builder is critical. Moreover, they can guide you through the waterfall of decisions listed above.

I chose a local gunsmith, Ruff’s Precision Gunworks, in Flagstaff, Ariz., to build my original 7mm Rem. Mag. The RPG team walked me through the process, providing valuable input on selections I was unsure of making. The final product more than met my expectations and, since incorporating it into my arsenal, I’ve taken several big game animals with it.

My two most recent gun-building projects allowed me to transform two of my previously purchased Remington 700s into custom solutions, improved by newly available chamberings. For guidance on the projects, I tasked Jake Mushaney and his Unknown Munitions team in Post Falls, Idaho, with helping me select rifle components to create the two rifles. Via several emails and phone calls, we sorted through the details and completed the projects.

After receiving the finished rifles, I followed the Proof Research barrel break-in process and began testing ammo for upcoming hunts. I was exceptionally impressed by the accuracy capabilities of both rifles using factory ammo. From the 7 PRC, I fired a 0.31-inch, 3-shot group with Federal Premium ammunition loaded with Hornady’s 175-grain ELD-X projectile. The .280 AI rifle was not far behind, with a 0.38-inch, 3-shot group, firing Hornady Precision Hunter 162-grain ELD-X ammo.

The Cost of Confidence

Depending on all the bells and whistles, a custom rifle build will cost anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000; expensive, no doubt. Having a custom shooting solution that meets your objectives and preferences significantly boosts comfort and confidence in the field. Furthermore, a custom rifle will last a lifetime; a lifetime of memories made in the field.

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