Ranch rifle build help and critique

[Frankr]

1st post but long time Lurker. After seeing Blackops Precision's ranch rifle and reading the "truck gun", "short barrel 16-18", "The Beiber" threads I have the itch to put together a short handy rifle (that will be suppressed) for hunting, short range precision, plinking and general purpose rifle.

Unfortunately I am plagued by people showing too many sweet looking rifles and not enough funds to get them all.

So here's what I am thinking

Caliber =.223 (cheap and fun to shoot as well as matches my Ar15)

Rifles:

Tikka T3 varmint 1:8 twist stainless. Used ~650.00

Howard Ranch Rifle 1:12 twist. New ~ 350.00

Remington 700 (I think it's an ADL) 1:9 twist. Used ~500.00

PLANS

Shorten barrel to 14.5" , thread and weld Yhm qd 556 mount to make minimum 16" length (reason for 14.5" instead of 16"length is OAL and mostly because I can and want to)

Put on low power variable scope (I.e. 1-4, 1-6, 2-7, 2.5-10)

Glass bed stock until I have enough change for a manners or something else nice.

Tactical bolt knob (for comfort)

Possibly true up action and new trigger if it needs it.

Budget just for rifle and not glass is 900.00

To be honest the Tikka is leading right now with its 1:8 twist and smooth action.

But I don't really know. What do you guys think? Am I up in the night and need to sleep it off?

Thanks

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

I'm actually in the process of doing the exact same thing:

Bought a Stevens 200 with SAV-1 trigger, McGowen 300 BLK barrel, BC Duramaxx stock and Talley base/rings for $420 shipped.

I sold the 300 BLK barrel, robbed the SAV-1 for another rifle and replaced it with a tuned 3-screw trigger, bought a used 20" Savage takeoff 1:9 223 sporter barrel, threw a crappy Simmons Blazer 3-9x40 package scope in the Talley rings.

My total investment, including shipping and transfer fees: $312

With VJJ as my muse, I'm thinking of calling it 'Nickelback' because it'll look and sound pretty sucky.

I plan to have the barrel chopped to 16.75" and threaded pretty soon, then eventually get an oversized bolt knob, an EGW 20MOA base and a Weaver 3-10x.

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

I agree buying the Tikka. It might be the most expensive option, but you will be happy in the end. Definitely smoother than the remington.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

I can tell you what I plan on doing.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3261766#Post3261766

If you like have him cut it down to 16" and thread the muzzle. I'm sure he wouldn't mine doing it. Launching 75 Vld's, 75 amax's or 77 Smk's sounds like a hoot to me. I will end up droping it into a XLR carbon chassis. HDMR scope on top.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

not 223 but great builder, and can make a good dollar or two off the barrel and stock

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3503716#Post3503716

 

[Frankr]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

Thanks for the help guys!

If I could get the SSC rifle threaded to 16"

Which would you guys go for

Tikka t3 varmint or SSC trued Remington 700 SPS?

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

SSC, because that's the best deal I've ever seen.

 

[BenY 2013]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm actually in the process of doing the exact same thing:

Bought a Stevens 200 with SAV-1 trigger, McGowen 300 BLK barrel, BC Duramaxx stock and Talley base/rings for $420 shipped.

I sold the 300 BLK barrel, robbed the SAV-1 for another rifle and replaced it with a tuned 3-screw trigger, bought a used 20" Savage takeoff 1:9 223 sporter barrel, threw a crappy Simmons Blazer 3-9x40 package scope in the Talley rings.

My total investment, including shipping and transfer fees: $312

With VJJ as my muse, I'm thinking of calling it 'Nickelback' because it'll look and sound pretty sucky.

I plan to have the barrel chopped to 16.75" and threaded pretty soon, then eventually get an oversized bolt knob, an EGW 20MOA base and a Weaver 3-10x. </div></div>

Man I wish I could find a setup like that for that kind of price!

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

If going custom, instead of chopping a factory, what do you all think would be the ideal contour for one of these 223 truck / ranch rifles?

Sporter #4, #5, #6?

 

[Frankr]

Re: Ranch rifle build help and critique

Lonely wolf. Personally I figured to get the varmint contour with either the Tikka or Remington and if I wanted to later on get campfield custom (sp? )and to either heavily flute the barrel or reprofile it a little thinner for a medium profile. I don't know how much weight it will save and might not be worth it. Im going to run a can at times so the heavier barrel should have less droop. For an idea of my perfect ranch rifle other than barrel length look at black ops precision ranch rifle. Its a thing of beauty.