How to Build a DGW Bolt Action Rifle

DGW Sherwood Bolt Action Rifle

1.) Get the pick list and get the materials needed.

2.) Get the barreled action with the correct serial number and remove the bolt. Check to make sure the action is clear.

Figure 1. Depiction of the barreled action without the bolt
Figure 2. The bolt after removal

3.) Install the trigger. Place it onto the action portion of the barreled action. Insert a trigger pin into the hole closer to the barrel portion of the barreled action and tap it in. Insert a second trigger pin into the hole closer to the back of the barreled action and tap it in.

Figure 3. Trigger
Figure 4. The placement of the trigger on the barreled action
Figure 5. Placement of the first trigger pin in the hole closer to the barrel
Figure 6. The trigger pin being tapped into the hole
Figure 7. Placement of the second trigger pin in the hole closer to the back of the barreled action
Figure 8. A trigger fully assembled onto a barreled action

4.) Assemble the ESS chassis system. First, attach the ESS chassis base to the barreled action. Align the recoil lug with the slot on the bottom side of the barreled action.

Figure 9. ESS chassis base
Figure 10. ESS chassis base positioning on the barreled action

5.) Insert the two action screws into the ESS chassis base. The 1/4″-28 x 3/4″ screw (McMaster part 91251A440) goes more towards the front and the 1/4″-28 x 2″ screw (McMaster part 90044A354) goes more towards the back. Use a 3/16” allen key and hand tighten the screws.

Figure 11. The front of the chassis base where the 1/4″-28 x 3/4″ screw should be inserted
Figure 12. The back of the chassis base where the 1/4″-28 x 2″ screw should be inserted

6.) Hold the rifle upright and push down on the barreled action. Tighten the top screw and then the bottom screw so they are very snug and torque them to 60 in/lb.

Figure 13. Holding up the rifle while pushing down
Figure 14. Using a torque wrench to torque the screws to 60 in/lb

7.) Remove the 3 screws from the ESS chassis forend. Once removed, slide the ESS chassis forend over the top of the barreled action so it sits up against the ESS chassis base. There should be no gap between the two.

Figure 15. ESS chassis forend
Figure 16. The 3 screws used during this step
Figure 17. The ESS chassis forend connecting with the ESS chassis base

8.) Get the 3 screws that you previously removed and screw them into the 3 spots on the underside of the ESS chassis forend. Use a 5/32” allen key to tighten the screws. Torque these to 30 in/lb.

Figure 18. The 3 screws inserted into the bottom of the ESS chassis forend
Figure 19. 5/32 allen key being used to tighten the screws
Figure 20. Final product from connecting the ESS chassis base and forend

9.) Remove the bolt from the back of the ESS chassis base. Line up the buttstock with the interface of the ESS chassis base and slide it in. Return the bolt to where the buttstock and ESS chassis base connect.

Figure 21. Removing the bolt from the back of the buttstock
Figure 22. Connection of the ESS chassis base and buttstock
Figure 23. Where the bolt should be returned to in the ESS chassis base

10.) Start by threading it in by hand. Then get a 5/16” ball head allen key and continue to hand tighten. Torque this to 30 in/lb.

Figure 24. 5/16 ball head allen key used to tighten the bolt

11.) Install the bolt into the barreled action.

Figure 25. The bolt returned to the barreled action after assembly

12.) Install the pistol grip. Remove the 1/4″-28 screw from where the pistol grip should go, place the pistol grip there, and insert the 1/4″-28 screw. Hand tighten the screw with a 3/16” allen key. Torque this to 30 in/lb.

Figure 26. Pistol grip
Figure 27. Pistol grip placed onto the rifle
Figure 28. 1/4″-28 screw after being inserted back into the pistol grip

13.) Insert the magazine. Angle the magazine sideways and rotate so it activates the magazine release and pushes into place.

Figure 29. Magazine being titled so it can be inserted into the gun
Figure 30. Magazine after being inserted into the gun

14.) Do feed checks with dummy rounds. Insert the dummy bullets into the magazine. Insert the magazine into the gun. Fire a couple dummy rounds with the rifle to ensure that the gun is cycling and being fed properly.

Figure 31. Top view of the dummy rounds in the magazine
Figure 32. Side view of the dummy rounds in the magazine

15.) Oil the rifle with Tool X Gun Oil.

16.) Install the Hellfire Self Timing Muzzle Brake. Install the universal adaptor onto the muzzle by twisting it on and then hand tightening with 5/8-inch box-end wrench. Thread the brake onto the muzzle so it’s barely snug and can still be rotated. Rotate the brake so it’s level. The dot on the face of the brake should be in line with the top of the rifle and the line will be parallel with the ground. Once aligned, push the brake in with your thumb. Once the brake is locked in place, tighten the collar with your hand.

Figure 33. Hellfire Muzzle Brake with the universal adapter on the bottom and the brake on the top
Figure 34. Muzzle brake after being assembled on the rifle. The universal adapter is on the bottom and the brake on the top
Figure 35. Top view of the brake on the rifle. The dot on the face of the brake is centered at the top and the lines on top of the brake cut through the middle of the barrel

17.) Put all materials away and put the Sherwood Rifle in its designated spot.

Figure 36. The completed Sherwood Rifle excluding the magazine and brake muzzle

Contact Information

  • Email: sales@detroitgunworks.com
  • Phone: 313.733.0308

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