Hello everyone,

Although what I am asking is not exclusive to double rifles or nitro rifles, I am interested in learning about building rifles. I currently am an apprentice machinist and being the son and grandson of two men that hunted Africa (my dad and grandfather were colonists in Mozambique) double rifles and nitro express rifles are almost synonymous with the type of life that they lead there.

Indeed, if it were not for Portuguese gun laws, I would own several right now.

I don't have the ability financially to buy a double rifle, or a nitro express rifle. But I DO have machine tools- mill, lathe, the whole nine yards.

What would be a good starting point for building my first rifle? I really don't care if it's something simple at first, but one day I would like to enter double rifle land.

What kind of parts can I buy premade? Where can I find the prints to machine the parts off of? Are any components (such as the break on a break action shotgun) cast and then machined to finish them off?

Any input about building a rifle would be great, I am frankly at a loss with this one.