opinion on barrel for a build out needed

[Pester]

Hi All,
I am working on building out a Rem 700 and the family found out. Dad, Korean vet, wanted to support my lately found interest in shooting so I am at gound zero with more extra money for a gun than I thought I could ever afford. Never seemed to listen, as a kid, when I should have so this might be a good chance to build bridges with him.

Dont need Optics and want to stay with a 308 round for affordability.

Compared to the folks here I am a novice and have been only shooting out to 200 yard range but want to try to get out to the 600-800yd range.

Been reading the forums and I think I am leaning towards a Surgeon action, Jewell trigger, mcmillan stock and a good barrel.

Since this is a big leap in quality over my current SPS varmint what barrel would be recommended? Or do I go with what the builder recommends?

Lastly, I am assuming that I am going to be in the $4k range so if I am looking at Surgeon, GAP, or some of the other builder recommended here do I just go with the one that can get it to me the soonest?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[turbo54]

Re: opinion on barrel for a build out needed

All of the quality barrel makers do good work, such as:

Obermeyer
Rock Creek
Bartlein
Krieger
Brux
Broughton
Border

...just to name a few.

If your 'smith has a favorite, I'd just go with it. If not, pick a contour/length you like, and buy whatever brand someone has in stock that fits that contour/length criteria.

As far as the rest of the build, well, honestly I'd recommend you just drop your current rifle in a nice stock and put some good glass on it and shoot it for a while. It is TOUGH to spec out a custom build with limited experience. Experience of what you do and don't like/want is what you draw off of when speccing out a "custom" rifle.

Maybe just buy a turn key, off the shelf cookie cutter GAP rifle of some type? They will fulfill about 95% of what anyone would ever really want.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: opinion on barrel for a build out needed

Look at the Accuracy International AE MK III as well.

 

[Pester]

Re: opinion on barrel for a build out needed

Thanks for the info and will keep those all on the list. I dont really know of a good gunsmith in my area so I was thinking that I would get someone like Surgeon/GAP/TacOps to help me through those decisions.

Maybe I am better off putting the new stock on my 700 and continue to shoot it. Been shooting with the original stock so I expect to see a difference.

Hard not to get distracted by all the comments/pics about other peoples guns but I think the recommendation of continueing to shoot is the right thing to do.

Thanks again...

 

[swampbuck]

Re: opinion on barrel for a build out needed

I would go with you gunsmiths recommendation. On the off chance that your rifle doesn't shoot you don't want the smith to say that you didn't use the components that he recommends.

Surgeon does nt build custom. They just build what ever and people buy it. They don't take custom orders. Tac Ops does great work but are very expensive. I agree with turbo. You need more experience and you should get professional advice from your builder to best suit your needs. A good gunsmith is like a photographer and will recommend and make suggestions to make the best picture of you possible. Weight is probably the most common mistake that people make when specing ou there first custom gun. Take your time and make it yours. Don't just decide on somthing because someone said it is badass. Find out why and does it suit your particular needs. My firt custom was a large M24 style. And while I love it I don't hunt with it very much. My next 2 were sporters. My forth another M40 style. My fifth is shaping up to be somwhere in the middle. When I spec out a custom I expect to be passing it down to my son so take your time. These are long term investments. Of course some guys trade out every year but that gets costly.

You need to also see what other guys are shooting. Try as many rifles as you can. Make a scrap book of ideas the way chicks make for wedding dresses. When you know what you want look for a smith who will take the time to speak with you at length. I can't spec out my computer. I just tell my computer savy friend what I want it to do and he tells my how much RAM GIGA Crap I need.

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: opinion on barrel for a build out needed

Good info all around.

The hardest part of speccing out my rifle was my incredible lack of patience. I narrowed every choice down to 2 options. In the end, I went with what was in stock as I had money burning my britches.

Do I regret it? Never. I have a solid rifle that does everything I need/want at this time.

Is there anything I would do different? Likely the only thing I would change is have the stock bedded at the same time as the rifle is built and have it all done at once. I had a bunch of cutting to do on my stock because the lug was bigger and deeper that the lug recess on the stock.

If you do a custom stock, you might look into having an adjustable cheek piece put in or installed straight from the factory.

Look at lots of pics, read a lot, then ask well educated and thought out questions. A lot of my choices came from the "Precision Rifle" picture thread.

Make sure you buy good glass. Check out 8541tactical on Youtube. This video here:
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John gives a good idea of scope selection.


My best advice at this time: read, learn, ask, then decide if you want/need a custom rifle. Then you have more infor to spend your money wisely.

Don't overlook the for sale section for all your rifle and scope needs.

If you go 308 and dont roll your own, check out SW Ammo, Copper Creek ammo...a few others that support the hide.

Hit up Hide supporting businesses. They are here for you. Treat them well, and you will be treated likewise.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Defusion]

Re: opinion on barrel for a build out needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Look at the Accuracy International AE MK III as well. </div></div>
This.
I am biased though. I ordered one.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: opinion on barrel for a build out needed

Also if it does not have to be custom but you want custom accuracy then check out the sako TRG-22's.

If custom is what you require then the top barrel makes listed above are all good but I would go with the smith's suggestion due to his experience in working with them.

 

[Pester]

Re: opinion on barrel for a build out needed

Thanks and I get the 'start modest and learn before you jump all the way in' thinking. When I am asked about engraving my answer is, essentially, either 'get a pencil and draw scrolls' or 'sharpen a screw driver and start scratching that metal'.

I will upgrade the stock and continue shooting. Once I get more understanding then I will see where my experience takes me.

Now if I can just find a good gunsmith in my area for guidance when the time comes.

Thanks to all.