Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

[jawcn]

Hello, Everyone
I own two factory rifles (Remington 700 SPS Tactical and H.S. Precision HTR, both in .308win). Since I found a spot to shoot all the way to 1500 yards, I decide to build a .338LM with GAP. It will not be used in competition or hunting, and prone position shooting only.

I need some help here to choose proper parts to put this rifle together.


Caliber:
338LM

Action:
<span style="font-weight: bold">Is Templar Action okie?!</span> (I do not want action with integrated scope rail; just in case, the Remington msr style chassis comes to available)

Barrel Type:
<span style="font-weight: bold">Is 27" barrel enough? and what kind of barrel should I use?</span>

Stock:
AICS 2.0

Trigger Guard:
<span style="font-weight: bold">Is Badger Ordnance M5 DBM okie?</span>

Trigger:
<span style="font-weight: bold">Which trigger should I use?</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">I already have Atlas bipod and S&B scope. What else do I need for the build?! THANKS A LOT</span>

 

[jonthomps]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

I have a GAP 338LM. Everything you mentioned is good-to-go. Here is some food for thought:
Their Templar action is awesome. The Badger bottom metal is great unless you plan to reload the 300gr bergers and need a longer mag. My stick has a 28-inch barrel, 1 in 9.7 twist and a Badger brake - great brake for the 338. Stock is obviously personal preference. AI, Manners, and of course McMillian are the big three. Mine is an fully adjustable McM A-5. The best thing to do is call GA and talk to Ken, tell him what you want and what you will be using it for. He's very knowledgable and will get you squared away.

 

[micah379]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

I had gap build my .338 lm and I love it,my barrel is a bartlein with a 1in 9.5 twist. It stabilizes the 300 grain projectiles very well but if you are going to have a tube made to your specs you might want to consider 1:9.3 as some will tell you that's the sweet spot. Templar/defiance is a good action I have one on my crusader,short action of course,but if you don't mind spending a little more I would suggest the surgeon xl as it was specifically designed for that caliber, badger brakes are great so are the surefire. I have a surefire and love it.I have a fully adjustable mcmillan A-5 and think it's great but the way a stock feels is different for everyone, I suggest getting behind the ones your contemplating and see witch feels best. If gap is building it it's sure to be a great shooter. Enjoy

 

[Gray]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

Those parts sound great, all Defiance actions are top notch including the Templar. Not totally sure that the MSR would fit if it came out, the Templar is 1/4" longer than a Rem 700. Like said above I would call GAP and get more info.

 

[jawcn]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

How about 300gr SMK? Do I need a longer mag? Which trigger and bottom metal do you use? Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jonthomps</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a GAP 338LM. Everything you mentioned is good-to-go. Here is some food for thought:
Their Templar action is awesome. The Badger bottom metal is great unless you plan to reload the 300gr bergers and need a longer mag. My stick has a 28-inch barrel, 1 in 9.7 twist and a Badger brake - great brake for the 338. Stock is obviously personal preference. AI, Manners, and of course McMillian are the big three. Mine is an fully adjustable McM A-5. The best thing to do is call GA and talk to Ken, tell him what you want and what you will be using it for. He's very knowledgable and will get you squared away. </div></div>

 

[jawcn]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

how do you choose twist rate between 1:9.7, 9.5, and 9.3 !?

I think i will use 300gr bullet mainly.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: micah379</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had gap build my .338 lm and I love it,my barrel is a bartlein with a 1in 9.5 twist. It stabilizes the 300 grain projectiles very well but if you are going to have a tube made to your specs you might want to consider 1:9.3 as some will tell you that's the sweet spot. Templar/defiance is a good action I have one on my crusader,short action of course,but if you don't mind spending a little more I would suggest the surgeon xl as it was specifically designed for that caliber, badger brakes are great so are the surefire. I have a surefire and love it.I have a fully adjustable mcmillan A-5 and think it's great but the way a stock feels is different for everyone, I suggest getting behind the ones your contemplating and see witch feels best. If gap is building it it's sure to be a great shooter. Enjoy </div></div>

 

[macman2564]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

You won't need the M5 DBM. The AICS already has a DBM. Just order the Long Action with the 338 mag...

 

[jonthomps]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jawcn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How about 300gr SMK? Do I need a longer mag? Which trigger and bottom metal do you use? Thanks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jonthomps</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a GAP 338LM. Everything you mentioned is good-to-go. Here is some food for thought:
Their Templar action is awesome. The Badger bottom metal is great unless you plan to reload the 300gr bergers and need a longer mag. My stick has a 28-inch barrel, 1 in 9.7 twist and a Badger brake - great brake for the 338. Stock is obviously personal preference. AI, Manners, and of course McMillian are the big three. Mine is an fully adjustable McM A-5. The best thing to do is call GA and talk to Ken, tell him what you want and what you will be using it for. He's very knowledgable and will get you squared away. </div></div> </div></div>

The Berger's are longer than the SMK's and can be seated further out than the SMK's, hence the need for a longer mag. I have Seekins Precision bottom metal and really like it.

 

[E. Bryant]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

A few things:

1) The Templar action is sweet! I love mine - it's slick and smooth.

2) My .338LM has a 25-point-something-inch barrel. No issues with it so far. Another couple of inches probably won't hurt since you want to use this only for prone shooting.

3) GAP used a Remington X-Mark trigger in my rifle. Most folks would cringe if you told them this prior to firing the rifle, but no one has yet complained about the trigger after pulling it.

I started with a Manners T3 stock, and then switched to the AICS 2.0. Both are fine pieces of equipment; it just comes down to the intended usage and ergonomic preferences. A word of warning - the AICS stock brought the weight of my rig perilously close to the 20lb mark.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Special Delivery</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not totally sure that the MSR would fit if it came out, the Templar is 1/4" longer than a Rem 700. </div></div>

The Templar that was used on my rifle has a standard tenon length, and dropped right into a AICS 2.0 without modification. If you look at Defiance Machine's website, it appears that the extended tenon is an optional feature. Why GAP uses it on some Templar actions and not others is a question I can't answer.

 

[jonthomps]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

I second what Eric B says concerning the trigger. I was reaaal close to upgrading my build to a better trigger but George said the X-mark was a good one, it just needs tuned. Well, he was right. Haven't had a single hiccup.

On weight: fully decked out with a USO 5-25x58 TPAL and loaded mag my rifle is right at 18 pounds.

 

[jawcn]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

Thanks, Guys...

I just need to decide on the barrel twist rate now. I will report back in... 12 months which is GPA current lead time.

 

[micah379]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

Anything faster than 1in10 will stabilize the 300 grain pills but I would recommend a twist of 1in9.3 to 1in9.5 and I would personally recommend you get a bartlein, but there are quite a few very good barrel makers and I'm sure gap won't steer you wrong. Good luck

 

[jonthomps]

Re: Help needed on my new GAP .338LM build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: micah379</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anything faster than 1in10 will stabilize the 300 grain pills but I would recommend a twist of 1in9.3 to 1in9.5 and I would personally recommend you get a bartlein, but there are quite a few very good barrel makers and I'm sure gap won't steer you wrong. Good luck </div></div>

Second that. My GAP 338 is freakishly accurate. I have a Bartlein barrel. Here's what it was doing during break-in: