Sniper Rifle Build Help

[jmar]

I've always liked long range shooting, however the only long range gun i have is my Mosin Nagant which is alright but id like a gun with a scope. So i've decided to build a sniper rifle.

Basically i'm just wondering if anyone on here has done it before. I assume the hardest part will be the action, i defiantly want a magazine fed bolt action. Does anybody know someone that sells just the action? I should also mention i want it in .50 cal. I've already done research on making the barrel when i was going to just turn my Mosin into a sniper but i decided i wanted a higher caliber. But if anyone has recommendations on barrel makers i'd still appreciate it.

So essentially i'd like info on things like muzzle brakes, scope mounts, rate of twist, recoil absorption, the trigger mechanism, bipods etc. Honestly the main reason i want to start this project is because i was doodling one day and made a very attractive looking sniper, i think my design will be the next big thing so i just want to build a fullscale gun so i can decide if i want to start a company or not. I know it sounds strange but i think people would like my design if it works out. Also what is the legality of doing this?? Thanks

 

[horsemen61]

Ttrl

 

[jmar]

Ttrl

What?

 

[jmar]

To make it clear i essentially want to build a kit .50 cal so i can custom make my stock, vs paying a lot extra for a stock i wont use.

 

[Jim Watson]

You are ok on Federal law, but you might run afoul of state law. California doesn't like .50 BMG, for example.

I don't understand just what you will be doing. Your "like info" shopping list pretty much amounts to "Teach me how to build a rifle."

I suggest you try your doodled design at the level of making your idea of a stock for an existing gun. You can get a second hand rifle pretty cheap now we are between hunting season and income tax due date.

 

[horsemen61]

I'd like to see your doodle

 

[jmar]

You are ok on Federal law, but you might run afoul of state law. California doesn't like .50 BMG, for example.

I don't understand just what you will be doing. Your "like info" shopping list pretty much amounts to "Teach me how to build a rifle."

I suggest you try your doodled design at the level of making your idea of a stock for an existing gun. You can get a second hand rifle pretty cheap now we are between hunting season and income tax due date.

I know how rifles are built but i'm just wondering if anyone has recommendations on parts. Its not easy to find what i'm asking for so i'm wondering if people have done it before so i know where to start.

 

[jmar]

I'd like to see your doodle

I cant show it or people might steal my design.

 

[Jim Watson]

That is extreme specialty gunbuilding.
I suggest you join the Fifty Caliber Shooters' Association and talk to people who are really in the field.

 

[weaselfire]

How accurate? Have the equipment and skills to make your own barrel or action? Any reason you don't want to just buy a Barrett beyond having a stock you want to change? What's you budget? What range?

Lots of basic question whose answers will narrow your parts list.

Jeff

 

[jmar]

How accurate? Have the equipment and skills to make your own barrel or action? Any reason you don't want to just buy a Barrett beyond having a stock you want to change? What's you budget? What range?

Lots of basic question whose answers will narrow your parts list.

Jeff

The barrel and action will be bought, the only thing i want to custom make is the stock and maybe the magazine. I'm looking to essentially assemble a puzzle rather than making one. I shoot at 1000 yards with my mosin and it doesn't seem that far so maybe 2500 maximum. budget is probably going to be 2-3k.

Isn't it possible to just use ar15 parts? I know you can buy a .50cal upper but those have been known to blow up.

 

[weaselfire]

Look at the Alexander Arms .50 Beowulf upper. Add a decent steel lower and make your stock. Maybe $1,500 altogether. Add the scope of your choice and you're still in budget.

If you can hit anything smaller than a barn at 1,000 yards using a Mosin, you're out shooting nearly everyone else out there anyway.

Jeff

 

[Jim Watson]

If you get one of those AR uppers, how will that work with your Secret Stock Design?
You SAID you wanted a bolt action repeater. The only one I know of is the McBros and I cannot today find where to buy one.

 

[jmar]

Look at the Alexander Arms .50 Beowulf upper. Add a decent steel lower and make your stock. Maybe $1,500 altogether. Add the scope of your choice and you're still in budget.

If you can hit anything smaller than a barn at 1,000 yards using a Mosin, you're out shooting nearly everyone else out there anyway.

Jeff

If you get one of those AR uppers, how will that work with your Secret Stock Design?
You SAID you wanted a bolt action repeater. The only one I know of is the McBros and I cannot today find where to buy one.

This is true i want a magfed .50 so i cant use the .50 upper and lower. I was mainly talking about using the trigger assembly some how, and all the cool rails and stuff.

The target at 1000 yards is a full size metal buffalo so it isn't impressive i'm a novice at shooting and need to work on my aim.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Back up!
I think that you are really in need of some research !
A Sniper Rifle?
Doubly so! !

 

[redneck]

Having built one gun from scratch, I can tell you that you won't be able to get a "kit" of any sorts that will be likely to work with your custom designed stock.

Ordinarily you would start with a finished action/barrel etc. and design a stock around it, but it sounds like you are trying to go the other direction and start with a stock you can shove parts into. You really need to have all the mechanical stuff worked out first with existing parts, or you need to be able to fabricate them yourself to fit your design.

The action you pick will determine the bolt throw, location of the magwell, location of the safety, where the trigger has to be in relation to the stock screws and bolt etc. All kinds of details you can't change, that all effect the shape of the stock.

You will also find that a stock that looks cool on paper doesn't necessarily work in real life. Figuring out drop for the comb, length of pull and trigger reach can be fairly complicated. You need to have a rough idea of the height of your scope before you can really settle in on a stock shape for example.

Trying to build a .50 also limits you because there are only a handful (relatively speaking) of commercial rifles around to borrow parts from. If you would use something more common like .223 or .308 you would have many more actions to choose from, and many more aftermarket parts available.

Honestly, I think your best bet is to buy a mag fed bolt action rimfire like a .22wmr or .17hmr, toss the plastic stock and try to make your own stock for it. You will get a lot of experience and answer a lot of your own questions and will only have to invest a couple hundred bucks more or less.

 

[Damon555]

Back up!
I think that you are really in need of some research !
A Sniper Rifle?
Doubly so! !

I cringe when I hear that term...My guess is that what he is looking to build will not resemble a "sniper rifle" in any way.

The OP is interested in building an accurate, long range target rifle.....There is a very good forum dedicated to nothing more than the pursuit of long range accuracy for hunting or target shooting......lots and lots of good info there.

 

[Traffer]

I am totally confused about this post. Shooting a buffalo size target at 1000 yds with a Mosin with iron sights? And wanting to build a .50 Beowulf sniper rifle? First of all congratulations on some fine shooting. If that is what you are asking, I suggest that you do a lot of research on especially the ballistics of small arms.