It is not going to be pretty when its done

[Bigzams]

So prior to joining the hide all I had shot were Ruger 10/22 but I knew I wanted a bolt gun at some point. I had been saving up my spare cash till I had about 2.5k saved up. I finally decided to buy a .308 and after speaking to a few friends they all suggested I buy a Remington 700. Being the complete new guy I walked into Cabela`s with cash in hand proceeded to buy a Remington 700 target tactical for way too much. Yes the funky one with the triangle barrel and B&C stock. A Leopold VX-2 6-18 AO CDS and the trimmings such as base, rings, bipod etc.

While happy with the rifle I soon discovered that for the amount of money I had spent on that rifle I could have bought a nice used rile here on the hide. Lessoned learned. It is what it is and I had mulled over selling it and starting from scratch or keeping it and shooting it till the barrel falls off.

I finally decided after a year that dam it I am going to make this work. I dropped it off at the smith yesterday to have them thread the barrel and install a JP enterprises brake. The trigger was @ 6 almost 7 pounds so I am having them drop it down to 2.5 pounds.

Now I know this thing is going to look butt ugly triangle barrel pressed up to that brake but I am hoping that as long as it functions and preforms well then it will be worth it. Keep it until the barrel is mush and then re-barrel and get it all trued.

My question to you fellas is

1. JP enterprises brake the model is called JP tactical compensator good choice bad choice? I am paying 100 bucks installed.

2. Anyone else have a rifle that is ugly and you refuse to get rid of it simply because it shoots well?


Ill be posting pics of the thing soon as I get it back from the shop and range update once I can make it out.

 

[crebrosseau]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

Any rifle is better then no rifle and a rifle that shoots well regardless of looks, even more so. The good news is paper targets/bad guys don't care what your rifle looks like and we have enough proud owners of 'safe queens' around here.

My rifle is camo'd with krylon and is always missing one scope cap or another cause I always break them but I'd sweat it 'cause it goes boom every time and rarely misses. I'd shoot the barrel out then use the action for the basis of another rifle or shoot it until you can save your pennies and get a better rifle. I put in an order for a GAP a few weeks back and my 700 will then retire to the safe until hunting season or a class comes up that is hard on a rifle, just a thought.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

well as long as it was at the smiths, there are always good barrels here in the used section

 

[stalski]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

Ugly rifles always shoot better.

Just like how the ugly girl at school did what the pretty girls didn't...

 

[sib1948]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

Putting tight patterns on paper and more practice for you is much more important the looks of the rifle. Go out and have fun and save for future upgrades. That will be very satisfying.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

If it drives tacks, who cares wtf it looks like. Ive had guys using reworked savages give me and my $5000 custom a run for the money. I honestly believe when it comes down to it, its all in the barrel and in the ability to read wind

 

[McLarenross]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

There is an old addgae about it being the Indian not the arrow that counts. I've seen that proven time and time again by shooters with too much money and very pretty rifles.

 

[Bigzams]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

Got a few pics from the smith working on it This is in the VTR type triangle barrel.

Should be soon.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

A friend of mine cut his VTR barrel to 18 inches and had it threaded also, not the prettiest looking barrel around but with a can on it and how handy it is who cares.
cheers.

 

[bcpdshooter]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jig Stick</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If it drives tacks, who cares wtf it looks like. Ive had guys using reworked savages give me and my $5000 custom a run for the money. I honestly believe when it comes down to it, its all in the barrel and in the ability to read wind</div></div> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">well as long as it was at the smiths, there are always good barrels here in the used section</div></div>

+1 pick up a barrel off the hide around $250-$350, then save a little more cash, pick up a stock $200-$700, save a little more cash and then drop it off at the smith. You will enjoy the the ride and the rifle a lot more.

 

[Bigzams]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

Got off the phone with the smith. Says they are having a hard time getting the JP brake in. I ended up ordering a PWS PRC brake instead. I should have the brake in my hands by Monday and at the shop on Tuesday.I am beginning to think I should have cut the barrel back some it was already at 26 inches and that brake is roughly about 4 I am going to end up powder burning my target if this keeps up.

 

[Bigzams]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

The fit and finish came out great. One minor setback was the bolt release is now sticky I think when it all came back together its touching somewhere ill have the smith look at it tomorrow. From what I have read it is common after some trigger work.

 

[DubGunner]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

I think that looks pretty sweet.

 

[slowkota]

Re: It is not going to be pretty when its done

I thought about doing that with my VTR I used to own, but sold it before I got around to it!

I myself was skeptic about there being enough material available for threading, thats why I never got around to it.

Looks good though!