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17 year olds budget build!

Browning_A_Bolt

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 9, 2011
30
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Hey guys I have been a hunter and fisherman all my life. I'm always outdoors doing something. I'm also very competitive and I always want the best, but my budget won't allow me! I'm really big into archery competitions I've won state and have countless sponsors that pay for all my stuff which is really nice but now I'm in the been their done that kind of mood! So for the last two years I have been researching on what to but that can fit in my budget! So finally the other day I went into a local store and I was going to order the rifle i wanted because I called them the day before and they didn't have it. Before I ordered it I was walking around and I see the rifle I want! It's a remington 700 sps varmint in 243. The exact one I wanted and they just got it that morning! So I picked it up:) so now the fun begins I ordered my vortex viper 6.5-20x44. i already got my rings and bases which are egw 20moa base a burris tactical rings!And a Don from greybull precision is sent me one of his old bell and Carlson stocks for free! What a great guy as that I wouldn't be able to afford one! My plans for this rifle is to have it be accurate to shoot paper and competitions but I also want to hunting with it so it can't weigh 20 pounds! So here it is guys and I will update when I get it all set up!
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Re: 17 year olds budget build!

I think we can assume that one of his parents signed for it.
In the way of the build itself, get the action blueprinted (~$200) and the barrel recrowned (~$100). This will greatly increase your accuracy right off the bat. Also get a good bipod (~$100) and a rear bag. Spend the rest on ammo and range time.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

My mom had to sign for it;) haha but yes I paid for it!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Yeah I want to get a smaller bipod as that one is for the tall grass here I'm North Dakota! And I figured I would be better to wait and get a new barrel before getting the action trued? And I reload so I have some 95 gr Berger hunting vld to try out!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

With that rifle you are well on your way to being better off than probably most of us were at 25. Shoot the shit out of it, I wouldn't concern yourself so quickly on upgrades until you've burnt the barrel out and needing to anyway.

Welcome aboard brother!


PS. Kudos to your parents and you got a kick ass mom to sign for a rifle for her 17 year old son, we need a lot more people like her these days
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Looks good so far. I'd give that rifle a chance just the way it is.

The 95 grain Berger is an excellent place to start. What powder do you plan on trying first?
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

That is impressive Kody. You will have years of fun with it.

+1 on the true and barrel recrown. Remmy barrels are respectable out of the box in my experience. When you do upgrade the barrel you will be ready to go too. Make sure not to over tighten mounts and rings. Lap the rings if you can get access to the tools and practice practice practice all your shooting positions.

Ryan
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Thanks for all the advise guys! Unfortunatly I am all out of cash until i start working again in the summer (have to pay for gas and insurance and all that). but for powder im using IMR4831 to start out and see if i dont have any luck i will try something else like 4350. For my rings mount and all the i will be using a snap on toque wrench so i wont over tighten them but i dont have the tools to lap my rings so i wont be able to do that! But yeah my mom is pretty awesome for signing for me (if she didnt my dad would but he wasnt their)
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

I would say you are doing pretty good for a 17 year old. At seventeen I was using my dad's Winchester Model 88 - a far cry from where you are at. Nice rifle.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Looks good! At 17 I was using an SPSV in 308 with an H&S stock and a PST 4-16. Off to a good start. Good to see you're going to reload too.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

thanks! I really wanted the PST but I just couldnt afford it! The illuminated reticle, 50mm objective, zero stops, and the reticle would be awesome for hunting and target shooting for me but i just couldnt pull out the extra money so hopfully this summer i can get one! Because i just order the cameraland special witht he Vortex viper 6.5-20x44 with the v plex reticle. i would much rather have a pst with moa turrets and moa reticle for range finding and holdovers.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

What size of bipod are you looking for?
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

I really want a 6-9 or 9-13 that I could keep in my bag for prone shots!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

A 6-9 would be your best bet. Get podloc and notched legs, call it a day.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Kody I have one if you PM me your address I will send it to you.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Pm sent! Thanks you so much!! All this stuff costs a lot of money and guys like you make this sight truly great!!! Now next summer all I really need is a dbm, a good sling, and a bolt knob! And if I have enough maybe blueprint and recrown or a upgrade in a scope or even a different trigger! Thanks so so much!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Check out the drop in DBM for H&S stocks. With a little filing, you could make it work for your stock, I think. And I may be wrong, but I'm sure it takes AI mags.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Spend your money on ammo. DBM and accessories like that can come later.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Yup I don't plan on getting that stuff till next year! I have enough stuff to load up 100 rounds right now so I should be good for a little while!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

I've got a little less than a full box of Berger 95gr VLD's that I will send you if you want them. I don't have any 6mm guns right now so I don't have any use for them. PM me your address and I will send them to you.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Youve made some awesome choices for your build and its going to be a great rifle. congrats! congrats to you for saving up enough money for this too. takes work and discipline. well done. also a big thanks to a fine mom supporting you in this and encouraging your love for our sport. great story all around, im happy you posted this. i also hope youll keep us up to date. Enjoy your new rifle!

-Paulus
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Thank you guys its really rewarding to have such nice stuff and i am truly blessed! In the summers i work 70 hours a week running forklift (Yard foreman for a drain tiling place) i no its hard to believe im doing this haha but i have been since i was 15! In the fall i drive tractor after school everyday and all day on the weekend to make money! i have bought and paid have a $5500 car $2500 hunting vehicle and a $2500 snowmobile. i always try to have the best! Before i buy something i research and research it all the time! I truly love this kind of stuff! I just wish their was more people that shot long range here in North Dakota! Once i get my scope i will take lots of pictures of my shooting and my groups! You guys on this forum are great! You have helped more than you guys would ever believe! I cant wait until im older and can afford the higher end stuf! Thanks so much for the help and i cant wait to start shooting my Gun! Kody
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Practice away this setup should be fine also look into any local shooting competitions if you found some that aren't to expensive it can be a great place to meet other shooters and refine your skills.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Ohh i will:) and i have found a place about half an hour from were i live but they are done for the year so next spring i think i am goin to join its F class but that doesnt mean i cant learn!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Hey guys I figured you would want to put a face to the name so here some pictures of my success in the past!
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Re: 17 year olds budget build!

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And heres my hunting vehicle that i use pretty much as a fourwheeler!
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Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Welcome to the hide.

Your off to a great start as everyone has said. Personally i wouldn't worry about trueing/blueprinting till the next rebarrel, less you have the money and just want it. I would say that 200$ would be better spent towards ammo or reloading components if you reload.

Started my rifle at 18 still not done with it. Make sure you get the most out of your time shooting while your still in high school, college tends to take up a lot of time.

Be sure to keep us posted on how it shoots.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HPCR59</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You bought a firearm at 17?</div></div>

Seriously who says that? It's not like he bought a damn uzi. Anyway rock on dude. I have been hunting since I was a kid and haven't killed any deer like that. I used to shoot the 95 bergers in a factory savage model 12 243 and they were awesome, not to mention they killed deer like lightning. Like the other guys said don't worry about too many modifications right now, just shoot the shit out of that gun. It's not the bells and whistles that make the shots it's the trigger monkey. Practice Practice Practice
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Back in my high school days you could buy a firearm at 16! I remember going in and buying a Remington 700 ADL in .243 without my dad having to sign for it. My mom wouldn't if she could have
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Anyhow, a lot of fun times shooting that rifle.

I loaded a lot of IMR 4831 back then which worked pretty well. Until I got into really cold climates. It wasn't really until the Hodgdon Extremes came out that temp sensitivity was really reduced. Now, with Re-17 and IMR 8208 it's gotten even better.

With the long barrel you have either IMR 4831 or H4831sc is about the best choice IMO. 40 gr. to start behind a 95 Ber/SMK/SST. Drop a grain to start each 5 gr. of bullet you increase. Work up a pair of bullets at each .5 gr. mark run your ladder and look for pressure signs.

Good luck, Glad to see ya working for what you want.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Kody if you don't mind your gun being down for a week or so I would be more than happy to do your bolt knob for you. I have done quite a few for people on here. I kinda enjoy it. Pm me
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: a_bishop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Kody if you don't mind your gun being down for a week or so I would be more than happy to do your bolt knob for you. I have done quite a few for people on here. I kinda enjoy it. Pm me </div></div>

I was going to say KRG bolt knob but this^^^ is a even better deal. Very generous!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Kody, it's nice to see someone of your age and from your generation expressing such love for the outdoor/shooting sports. You should be very proud of your accomplishments!!

To the Hide members, kudos to all of you who have pitched in and volunteered parts or services for this young man!!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Son, with a work ethic like you've got, you'll go far.

Hit me up with your address and I'll send you some TAB GEAR.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tburkes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Son, with a work ethic like you've got, you'll go far.

Hit me up with your address and I'll send you some TAB GEAR.</div></div>

I was 17 once upon a time too, I'll shoot you my addy for some tab gear
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tburkes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Son, with a work ethic like you've got, you'll go far.

Hit me up with your address and I'll send you some TAB GEAR.</div></div>

I was 17 once upon a time too, I'll shoot you my addy for some tab gear </div></div>




X2!!!
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Good looking rifle. I know how it is trying to buy parts when you're just a kid. I'm 18 right now and have been putting together a couple of savage builds on my own. It has been difficult and lots of work but it's awesome knowing I earned everything I put into my rifles on my own. I too started when I was 17 and was lucky enough to have my parents sign for my rifles.

It's great to see how generous the people on the hide are, I can't wait until I can be able to give so much back. Also, as was said before, shoot as much as you can now because I'm in college and haven't shot in months and I'm also a lot more broke so it becomes even more difficult to afford things.

And I put a PST on both my builds and when you get one I don't think you'll be disappointed.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Looks like you found another sponsor Kody, the hide members!! Your well ahead of most of us. I grew up in hippy Northern Ca and bought my first 10/22 at 18 to the disdain of my family. In my early teens I had to cook the birds, squirrels, and rabbits over campfires in the woods because my mom was a vegetarian. I couldn't afford a real rifle until later on. It's really nice to see there's still kids like you out there instead of diabetic video game playing whiners! Give your mom a hug today and tell her you love her for being an awesome mother! Keep a humble attitude and the members on here will help you in many ways. Happy shooting and welcome to the club.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Dang, some guys have really stepped up for you. Props to you for working for everything that you have. Keep it up and you will go far in life. Good looking rifle too.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Haaha, sorry VJJ and Grason, the statute of limitations is up on your guys. If only you'd let me know sooner.
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Re: 17 year olds budget build!


Kody,it's nice to see this type of attitude with a youngster such as yourself. Certainly dont have a problem rewarding you.

I know it's already been offered but I'll throw my name in the hat to do a bolt knob conversion.
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Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Thanks everyone for all the help!! You are all amazing! I can't wait to get out and start shooting:)
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

I'm not too much older than yourself, but I've been doing this for a while. You're off to a great start with that setup; I started shooting long range with a 243 and the 105 A-Maxes, and there really isn't a better combination to learn with. The SPS Varm 243s will run the 105 AM just fine, and that bullet launched over 3,000fps is an absolute hammer.

Do you have any idea what you'll be shooting through this rig? I may be able to help you out and get you shooting some handloads, if you aren't already.
 
Re: 17 year olds budget build!

Where are you in ND? I'm in fargo and seventeen as well. I've already built two ar15s and am working on my budget precision build/suppressor host. It's cool to see another highschooler that isn't following the crowd.