I want to put together a long-range hunting rifle. Something that's stout enough to be consistently accurate at long range (I'm thinking to 600-800yd max for hunting, eventually, and 1000+ for targets), but light enough that I don't cuss the thing hauling it up a mountain. I'm in the Marine Corps infantry right now, pushing out on a MEU this fall, so I'm in no big hurry to have this done. Between the MEU and the training schedule before hand I'm not going to have much hunting time. However, directly after the MEU I get out (oh joy) and I'm going to move to Colorado or South Dakota, and a lot more time will get dedicated to personal shooting and hunting.
Here's what I've got planned so far.
-Remington 700 Short action (as of now). I'm pretty ignorant on what actions are available. I'd like something "popular" so that parts/accessories are easy to find, and would love stainless steel if it's available. I'm not concerned with DBM.
-Bartlien SS barrel, 24" or 25" finished length, 1:8" twist 6.5mm in .260 remington. Looking at a #4 or #5 profile, and debating of flutes. Looking for opinions here.
-Timney 1.5-4lb trigger (not familiar with triggers, open to suggestions)
-Manners MCS EH4 stock
-Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50mm, or a NXS F1 3.5-15x50mm. Also looking at USO offerings.
-EGW 30 MOA rail
From the specs listed online I think I'm looking at 11lb or so unloaded.
This will be my first "custom" build, so I'm open to opinions. Like I said, I want light weight, but I'm not willing to trade it for accuracy. This rifle will probably end up being used for everything from prairie dogs to elk, so surviving a 10-15 round string without losing accuracy would be nice. I also want something that is as weather-proof as possible if I decide to go camping for a week or two.
I'll end up with Vortex or Warne rings probably. I've had good luck with both before. I don't have a specific recoil lug picked out, either. I don't think it makes much difference as long as it's not the flimsy factory one.
Anyway, am I on the right track? Especially curious what the die-hard long range hunters out there think.
On that note, I don't intend to jump straight into 400-800yd hunting, for those concerned. I have a bit of LR shooting experience but not enough "me time" in the military for as much practice as I'd like. I will probably keep it within 400yd until I get a lot more experience in. At any rate, it doesn't hurt to have capable gear before you're capable.
Here's what I've got planned so far.
-Remington 700 Short action (as of now). I'm pretty ignorant on what actions are available. I'd like something "popular" so that parts/accessories are easy to find, and would love stainless steel if it's available. I'm not concerned with DBM.
-Bartlien SS barrel, 24" or 25" finished length, 1:8" twist 6.5mm in .260 remington. Looking at a #4 or #5 profile, and debating of flutes. Looking for opinions here.
-Timney 1.5-4lb trigger (not familiar with triggers, open to suggestions)
-Manners MCS EH4 stock
-Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50mm, or a NXS F1 3.5-15x50mm. Also looking at USO offerings.
-EGW 30 MOA rail
From the specs listed online I think I'm looking at 11lb or so unloaded.
This will be my first "custom" build, so I'm open to opinions. Like I said, I want light weight, but I'm not willing to trade it for accuracy. This rifle will probably end up being used for everything from prairie dogs to elk, so surviving a 10-15 round string without losing accuracy would be nice. I also want something that is as weather-proof as possible if I decide to go camping for a week or two.
I'll end up with Vortex or Warne rings probably. I've had good luck with both before. I don't have a specific recoil lug picked out, either. I don't think it makes much difference as long as it's not the flimsy factory one.
Anyway, am I on the right track? Especially curious what the die-hard long range hunters out there think.
On that note, I don't intend to jump straight into 400-800yd hunting, for those concerned. I have a bit of LR shooting experience but not enough "me time" in the military for as much practice as I'd like. I will probably keep it within 400yd until I get a lot more experience in. At any rate, it doesn't hurt to have capable gear before you're capable.
