mfernaz Report post Posted September 8, 2017 So this all started back in January, but in previous years I've been going to this Gunsmith(Fred), and have had him do some work on my rifles and other miscellaneous things. Each time I went to Fred for something I always told him Gunsmithing was something I wanted to do and bugged him about letting me watch him do builds, bed stocks, thread muzzle brakes, or whatever. So the time came and we made an agreement, I would work for him and do projects of my own as they came along. So this is my First build all done by my own two hands but with Fred's guidance and of course his equipment, can't thank him enough for his time to show me the ropes. So here is my parts list and where I'm at so far. Stiller TAC 30 Action 20 MOA Rail Mcgowen Precision Stainless Fluted Barrel 6.5 Creedmoor 1 in 8 twist #6 Contour Oversized Tapered SS lug Vais SS Brake Timney Trigger HS Precision Stock HS Precision Bottom Metal Vortex Precision Match Rings Vortex HS-T 6-24x50 Indexing barrel to thread and chamber Turning down to major thread diameter Threaded ready for test fit It fits!!! Chambering 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
300RUM Report post Posted September 9, 2017 Congratulations. Get that rifle out to the range and shooting good and it'll just mean a whole lot more known you built it yourself. I just spent the afternoon rebarreling my 300. I'm just a self-taught hobbyist with an old South Bend and Bridgeport. It was really cool that Fred taught you and let you use his machinery 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfernaz Report post Posted September 9, 2017 Yeah he's a good dude, can't wait to get the rest if it together! More to follow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfernaz Report post Posted September 9, 2017 Chambered and polished with 400 grit Go, and No GO gauge check Hand tightened for photo, barreled action complete. Next week, inleting stock for oversized recoil lug and opening up barrel channel, threading for vais brake, and contouring barrel to match brake. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted September 9, 2017 Looks great, lots of talent. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfernaz Report post Posted September 14, 2017 Inletting and barrel channel complete, starting to look like something now, also stamped the barrel with"6.5 Creedmoor," I've done practice on blanks but kind of did a light hit on the M, then tried to get it in the same spot, which Fred told me not too, should have listened. He also said what makes a good gun Smith is fixing your mistakes, so we'll see what next week brings. So besides fixing my mistake, next week is threading for muzzle brake and then cerekote prep. Nothing fancy with this one, just plain ol'black. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeke-BE Report post Posted September 15, 2017 This is cool keep us posted 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HyNoon Report post Posted September 15, 2017 Starting to look really good. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfernaz Report post Posted September 20, 2017 Threaded muzzle brake today, and fixed my double/light hit M. Forgot to take a picture to show how it looked. Dikum after barrel indexed Turning down to .625" Turned down, and relief cut made Dikum again and first pass Threading finished Brake fits nice and tight, ready to turn down to match barrel Turning down Sand blasted. Next week, a long day of baking and cerekoting barrels and parts. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfernaz Report post Posted September 26, 2017 Today did some cerekoting. I've never used a spray gun so was a little intimidating at first, but Fred said cerekote is very forgiving, so I dove right in. Acetone bath then gas off in oven for 30 minutes Didn't get any action photos, but here's the finished product Tomorrow morning going to put the barrel to the action and prepare for bedding. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfernaz Report post Posted September 27, 2017 Big day today, we torqued the barrel to the action,and put the stock underneath for show Got home and put the rail on Bolt assembled Put together for some photos Will be bedding the stock next week, have some nicks and dings to fix on the stock and she'll be shooting in a week or so. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfernaz Report post Posted September 29, 2017 Couldn't wait until next week, snuck out while the kids were in school, got the bedding done. Preparing stock Taping off lug, Fred's an artist with masking tape, he had me remove his job and I had to do it myself. Prepared barreled action Apply compound to barreled action Apply compound to stock Now just letting it cure Hopefully it comes apart tomorrow. Next week, lapping and bedding rings, and mount scope. Waiting for my dies to come in, have Lapua brass, IMR 4831, 143 grain ELD-X waiting to be put together. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted September 29, 2017 Good work man can't wait for some groups 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted September 29, 2017 Is that compound used for bedding the action? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfernaz Report post Posted September 29, 2017 ^^^ yes, and this is the compound Fred recommended. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
