Hello everybody! Just as a quick pre-cursor I'd like to let everyone know I am just getting into long range shooting. I plan on building a custom rifle and just want some input from you guys. I'm currently in Afghanistan and I have 7½ more months to decide exactly what I want and where I want it built. As of right now, my plan is an AX308 chassis, 591 surgeon action, jewell drop in trigger, Krieger 20" barrel (What do you guys think of 5R?) As far as twist rate, do you guys think slower twist with a heavier bullet is better? Or faster twist with a lighter bullet? Not sure about the optic yet, would like to go with a nice SchmidtBender but obviously that's a big hit to the wallet. Also considering the Bushnell HDMR. Any thoughts? Would like a Horus reticle.
.308 Precision Rifle Build
- Thread starter p71cv
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Re: .308 Precision Rifle Build
Are you looking for a .308?
I'm guessing that is what you want.
You can go with the AX chassis, they are very nice.
Consider this though: The AI Chassis is now available with a pistol grip skin and would save you a considerable amount of cash.
Barrel: When you are talking about high end barrels, 5R doesn't matter as much. I have a Remington 5R, the barrel is very good for a factory tube, cleanup is a breeze and the barrels tend to last a very long time. 20" is sufficient for a .308, though I personally prefer a 24". Just be sure you have it threaded for a suppressor or break from the get go, it will save you the trouble in the long run.
1-10" twist will work very well, if you go with the 5R, a 1-11.25 twist is an excellent choice for the 175 matchking. Anything in the 1-10 to 1-12 twist will work just fine.
Normally, with the .308, heavier is better unless you are talking specialty bullets like the 155 Scenar or Palma, which are long for the weight. Both will work well in the aforementioned twists.
There is an enormous amount of difference between the S&B and Bushnell. The Bushy is a very good scope. I recommend you try to get behind a scope with a horus reticle, they are VERY busy. Bushnell has other, excellent reticles available in the HDMR.
You can also consider the new Steiner tactical scopes. Excellent German glass, with very well designed scopes that fall between the HDMR and S&B in price.
Thanks for your service and stay safe.
Are you looking for a .308?
I'm guessing that is what you want.
You can go with the AX chassis, they are very nice.
Consider this though: The AI Chassis is now available with a pistol grip skin and would save you a considerable amount of cash.
Barrel: When you are talking about high end barrels, 5R doesn't matter as much. I have a Remington 5R, the barrel is very good for a factory tube, cleanup is a breeze and the barrels tend to last a very long time. 20" is sufficient for a .308, though I personally prefer a 24". Just be sure you have it threaded for a suppressor or break from the get go, it will save you the trouble in the long run.
1-10" twist will work very well, if you go with the 5R, a 1-11.25 twist is an excellent choice for the 175 matchking. Anything in the 1-10 to 1-12 twist will work just fine.
Normally, with the .308, heavier is better unless you are talking specialty bullets like the 155 Scenar or Palma, which are long for the weight. Both will work well in the aforementioned twists.
There is an enormous amount of difference between the S&B and Bushnell. The Bushy is a very good scope. I recommend you try to get behind a scope with a horus reticle, they are VERY busy. Bushnell has other, excellent reticles available in the HDMR.
You can also consider the new Steiner tactical scopes. Excellent German glass, with very well designed scopes that fall between the HDMR and S&B in price.
Thanks for your service and stay safe.
Re: .308 Precision Rifle Build
Have no fear going with the Surgeon 591 or the AX chassis. Whether you go with a Krieger, Rock Creek, Bartlein, or Brux. Just get whatever you can get your hands on first.
I suggest going with the .308 if this is your first endeavor in precision shooting. It's a good proven round with fairly cheap ammo and barrels last forever.
Unless your going to run a 23"+ barrel I say go with the fast twist, heavy projectiles.
Have no fear going with the Surgeon 591 or the AX chassis. Whether you go with a Krieger, Rock Creek, Bartlein, or Brux. Just get whatever you can get your hands on first.
I suggest going with the .308 if this is your first endeavor in precision shooting. It's a good proven round with fairly cheap ammo and barrels last forever.
Unless your going to run a 23"+ barrel I say go with the fast twist, heavy projectiles.
Re: .308 Precision Rifle Build
Krieger makes a great barrel but they charge 30 bucks extra for 5r. I would probably go with a Bartlein or Rock that make 5 R standard. But they are all fine. I agree with fdkay that the Horus is really busy. I really like my Leupold TMR recical but some on this page have no love forLeupold. Length barrel I would probably go 22-24 but that is just me. You can always recrown shorter in the future.
Many good builders on this site. Once you decide on the builder they can help you specifically pick out a projectile for your applications and decide on the best twist rate for you. You will also want to consult your smith on bottom metal or DBM depending on how long your case overall length will be.
Krieger makes a great barrel but they charge 30 bucks extra for 5r. I would probably go with a Bartlein or Rock that make 5 R standard. But they are all fine. I agree with fdkay that the Horus is really busy. I really like my Leupold TMR recical but some on this page have no love forLeupold. Length barrel I would probably go 22-24 but that is just me. You can always recrown shorter in the future.
Many good builders on this site. Once you decide on the builder they can help you specifically pick out a projectile for your applications and decide on the best twist rate for you. You will also want to consult your smith on bottom metal or DBM depending on how long your case overall length will be.
Re: .308 Precision Rifle Build
Who would you guys recommend as a builder? I would like to get this project started within the next month or so. If it was done by the time I got back that would be ideal. Thanks for all the information, I think I might just go with the Bushnell HDMR w/ H59 reticle. I know surefire makes a muzzle break/suppressor adapter, I'm sure there are other brands out there. What do you guys recommend?
Who would you guys recommend as a builder? I would like to get this project started within the next month or so. If it was done by the time I got back that would be ideal. Thanks for all the information, I think I might just go with the Bushnell HDMR w/ H59 reticle. I know surefire makes a muzzle break/suppressor adapter, I'm sure there are other brands out there. What do you guys recommend?
Re: .308 Precision Rifle Build
Accuracy International I would think seriously about getting this type of rifle and be done with it. You can go the custom route and have a great rifle but don't overlook this rifle.
Accuracy International I would think seriously about getting this type of rifle and be done with it. You can go the custom route and have a great rifle but don't overlook this rifle.
Re: .308 Precision Rifle Build
Get in touch with Mark @ Accurate Ordnance (Bookhound on the Hide) and talk to him about your 308 build ideas. I have had them do my 338LM build and my 308 build and right now they are about done with my 6.5x47 build so to say I'm sold on their work is an understatement.
Here's a pic of the 308. Stiller TAC30 AW action, Bartlein barrel, APA Little Bastard brake, Timney trigger, Atlas bipod in an AICS 2 chassis with Viperskins topped with a USO SN-3 3.2-17 scope. Waiting on the ATF to finish the paper on my SAS Arbiter can for this one, hopefully before Christmas.
Click the photo and you can see a better version.
Get in touch with Mark @ Accurate Ordnance (Bookhound on the Hide) and talk to him about your 308 build ideas. I have had them do my 338LM build and my 308 build and right now they are about done with my 6.5x47 build so to say I'm sold on their work is an understatement.
Here's a pic of the 308. Stiller TAC30 AW action, Bartlein barrel, APA Little Bastard brake, Timney trigger, Atlas bipod in an AICS 2 chassis with Viperskins topped with a USO SN-3 3.2-17 scope. Waiting on the ATF to finish the paper on my SAS Arbiter can for this one, hopefully before Christmas.
Click the photo and you can see a better version.
Re: .308 Precision Rifle Build
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEGA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get in touch with Mark @ Accurate Ordnance (Bookhound on the Hide) and talk to him about your 308 build ideas. I have had them do my 338LM build and my 308 build and right now they are about done with my 6.5x47 build so to say I'm sold on their work is an understatement.
Here's a pic of the 308. Stiller TAC30 AW action, Bartlein barrel, APA Little Bastard brake, Timney trigger, Atlas bipod in an AICS 2 chassis with Viperskins topped with a USO SN-3 3.2-17 scope. Waiting on the ATF to finish the paper on my SAS Arbiter can for this one, hopefully before Christmas.
Click the photo and you can see a better version.
</div></div>
Thanks for the info, I sent him an e-mail about what I want. That's a real nice stick you got there, how much did that set you back?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEGA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get in touch with Mark @ Accurate Ordnance (Bookhound on the Hide) and talk to him about your 308 build ideas. I have had them do my 338LM build and my 308 build and right now they are about done with my 6.5x47 build so to say I'm sold on their work is an understatement.
Here's a pic of the 308. Stiller TAC30 AW action, Bartlein barrel, APA Little Bastard brake, Timney trigger, Atlas bipod in an AICS 2 chassis with Viperskins topped with a USO SN-3 3.2-17 scope. Waiting on the ATF to finish the paper on my SAS Arbiter can for this one, hopefully before Christmas.
Click the photo and you can see a better version.
</div></div>
Thanks for the info, I sent him an e-mail about what I want. That's a real nice stick you got there, how much did that set you back?
Re: .308 Precision Rifle Build
I'd add up the cost of the build and then compare it to an actual AI AX or AI AE.
I'd add up the cost of the build and then compare it to an actual AI AX or AI AE.
