Precision Rifle Build Assistace

[iSlice]

Hi All,

So im pretty much done with building ARs so id thought id try and build a precision/long range rifle and wanted to get some opinions. I know there are alot of opinions out there when it comes to precision rifles so ive done a little searching and came up with an idea of what i want to build. The word "tactical" gets thrown around quite a bit but it is kind of what i want to model my build after. The base for this build is my existing Remington 700 SPS chambered in .308 (not Varmint or Tactical). I dont want to buy a new rifle and was thinking of building off what i already have and just using the bolt and action/receiver from it. Below are some of the specs i was thinking of.

Purpose:
long rang precision shooting anywhere from 200-1000yards (i know 200 is not really long range) and it will be used on the occasional deer hunting trip but it wont be the primary purpose

Action:
use the one from my Remington 700 SPS

Trigger:
No idea

Bottom Metal:
No idea Badger? Seekins?

Barrel:
chambered in .308. Not particularly interested in reloading a different round. was thinking of a heavy/medium/varmint contour 22"-24" barrel from maybe pac-nor/schillen/rock creek/factory but open to suggestions twist wise i was thinking 10-12 but i have heard people using 11.25 Id probably be shooting 165-180gr match grade ammo but would like a twist that is pretty versatile. ohh and thought of a 5 grove pattern. id like a recessed crown.

Stock:
was thinking of a McMillan A3-A5 with an adjustable cheek rest or something of the sorts but still open to suggestions. Dont really want to go into something like the AICS because of the weight since i may take it hunting once in a while. I also like the more traditional style. Wasnt sure about glass bedding since that area is pretty new to me and i havent done it before, but ive read with mcmillan i wont really have to glass bed but i guess i should to get the best accuracy?

Bolt:
Using the bolt from my 700 but would probably get a different knob from RD precision?

Optics: will decide later once the bulk of the rifle is done, but maybe an 30MOA scope base?

Bipod:
Harris or Atlas?

Anyway, just some thoughts i had. I would really love some more suggestions and opinions before i start. Pictures with specs will help or any specific threads here. Cost and wait time is not too much of a factor since this will be a slow build. BUT im not a millionaire so reasonably priced is what im aiming for. Im not to familiar with all the lingo so please forgive me if anything i speced out doesnt make sense. Thanks in advance.

 

[iSlice]

Ohh this will be shot mainly prone or on a bench

 

[peaceatwar]

You are on the right track. I like the remmy trigger in my gun, tuned by GAP to 2.5lbs. Others like the Timneys, or the jewels. 1:11.25" Twist is good to go. I'm partial to heavy barrels but it looks like you have done your research. You didn't mention .308 as the caliber but I'm going to assume so. SInce you are re-barreling you might as well consider 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, 6.5x47L, 6.5x284, as caliber choices.

 

[iSlice]

You are on the right track. I like the remmy trigger in my gun, tuned by GAP to 2.5lbs. Others like the Timneys, or the jewels. 1:11.25" Twist is good to go. I'm partial to heavy barrels but it looks like you have done your research. You didn't mention .308 as the caliber but I'm going to assume so. SInce you are re-barreling you might as well consider 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, 6.5x47L, 6.5x284, as caliber choices.

Thanks! Yea i was planning on sticking to .308 for now. It seems from rock creeks site they they are no longer taking barrel orders due to the current "climate" are there any other manufacturers that do 1:11.25? can the other barrel makers do this twist if specified?

Ohh another thing is i was thinking a 5 grove pattern

 

[arbogb06]

As far as stocks go I posted a question the other day about which stock for a buddyes Rem 700 SPS AACD-SD and got a few good replies:

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/showthread.php?t=180958

Check out the link. I would lean towards the Manners T5A with mini chasis. This is what I am going with once I find a Rem 700 action or SPS AAC-SD to build off of.

As far as the rail goes 20 MOA should suffice if you are shooting from 200-1,000 yards. Do you have an idea on optics? Or an amount as to what you want to spend?

As far as triggers go I had a 700 iwth a rifle basix and the thing was set around 1-1.5 lbs and broke like glass. I really liked that trigger. My buddy has a timney and it is set at 1.5lbs and it very nice as well. The trigger is wider on his Timney which I am not use to but I think I like it better to be honest after shooting.

Barrel length I would stay right around your mentioned 22-24" just because of hunting purposes and lugging it around. 22" preferably if hunting will be its major use.

 

[arbogb06]

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/showthread.php?t=181183

Info on which twist.

 

[iSlice]

As far as stocks go I posted a question the other day about which stock for a buddyes Rem 700 SPS AACD-SD and got a few good replies:

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/showthread.php?t=180958

Check out the link. I would lean towards the Manners T5A with mini chasis. This is what I am going with once I find a Rem 700 action or SPS AAC-SD to build off of.

As far as the rail goes 20 MOA should suffice if you are shooting from 200-1,000 yards. Do you have an idea on optics? Or an amount as to what you want to spend?

As far as triggers go I had a 700 iwth a rifle basix and the thing was set around 1-1.5 lbs and broke like glass. I really liked that trigger. My buddy has a timney and it is set at 1.5lbs and it very nice as well. The trigger is wider on his Timney which I am not use to but I think I like it better to be honest after shooting.

Barrel length I would stay right around your mentioned 22-24" just because of hunting purposes and lugging it around. 22" preferably if hunting will be its major use.

Ill check out the link. Thanks! As far as optics haven't really thought to hard about it yet. I want to get the basic rifle specs ironed out. I know the glass will be another big cost maybe something that ends in 15x to 24x range and first focal plane.

 

[B.Bates]

I know that you are new, I would highly recomend you sell the 700 and go with a nice custom action.

I would look at the defiance deviant myself if building a new gun today.

Not sure if you reload, but I would also highly recomend getting a 6.5 creedmoore over the 308

I personally started and spent a ton of money on an old rem 700, it worked but i would of been better off getting a custom action from the start and having a good smith build the gun from the start.

Most smiths will have barrels in stock or available shortly.

I like jewell trigger myself, but felt a timney flat shoe recentlly and it was nice

just my thoughts, best of luck

 

[peaceatwar]

Thanks! Yea i was planning on sticking to .308 for now. It seems from rock creeks site they they are no longer taking barrel orders due to the current "climate" are there any other manufacturers that do 1:11.25? can the other barrel makers do this twist if specified?

Ohh another thing is i was thinking a 5 grove pattern

PM me about a barrel.

 

[USMC_03XX]

Agree with Bates. By the time you dump money into a 700 you will be close to a custom action in terms of price. I'm not hating on 700's but this is 2013 and there are a half dozen companies out there that produce great actions. The Deviant, with the integral rail would be a great option. Plus the smoothness and reliability of a custom action is hard to beat.

Buy once, cry once

 

[iSlice]

Haha I like that buy once cry once. what ill probably do is just price out both options when i find a custom i like and see what the difference ends up being. But right now the plan is to build off my existing action so ill see where that route takes me. Thanks again! I did see some GAP rifles that are pretty nice.

Agree with Bates. By the time you dump money into a 700 you will be close to a custom action in terms of price. I'm not hating on 700's but this is 2013 and there are a half dozen companies out there that produce great actions. The Deviant, with the integral rail would be a great option. Plus the smoothness and reliability of a custom action is hard to beat.

Buy once, cry once

 

[bombadillo]

Whats your budget?

 

[bombadillo]

Also, with everything you just stated, why not just start out with a Remington 5R like I did, and work your way across for what you need. I just did the same thing and am going relatively factory for awhile till I can figure out what I do or don't like with it. Mine is a 5r, murphy precision base, ARC M10 rings, Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 scope, Harris 1A2 non swivel bipod for bench, and I'm buying another for shooting on rough terrain, quality sling of choice, cheek pad, and other little goodies here and there, but nothing wild. I just went with a mild setup for now till I can play with the .308 enough to make it hit what I'm aiming at and I will change things from there. I think the 5R will give you a lot better base to work off of though for a true custom build down the road than the SPS will. If you're gonna go custom, just go with a nice setup like a GAP or HS precision and be done with it. Or one of the other many vendors around here, but those two pop off the page at me.

 

[iSlice]

I didnt really have a budget since i was going to build it slowly. I wasnt in a rush to finish this thing. I agree with you that the 5r would be a better base, but like i mentioned i already own the SPS and just planed to build off of it. If i were to sell the rifle i would most likley just buy a custom right off the bat instead of buying a new 700 to build off of. I also looked at this build as a project that i wanted to tackle since im pretty much over building ARs haha. I thought it would fun to try since my SPS was basically sitting around. We'll see what happens.

 

[Onoko]

Since you are building the gun slowly you should build off your SPS. Buying a custom means big money right away, you planned on taking your time so just build it off your current action.

Gather items to send off:

Barrel 22" varmint contour if thicker get flutes, this will help lighten the load.
Of course get action trued
Badger Base 20 moa or 30 moa your choice
Badger Rings depends on scope and barrel contour
Manners T2A because it's lighter than T4A/T5A and you need proper cheek weld (bed stock rather than mini chassis, save weight)

Scope:
Not sure price range
Nightforce F1 scopes for FFP
Bushnell is offering some really nice scopes like the XRS, ERS, HDMR so on
Vortex Vipers PST's are nice also for a bit cheaper

There are a lot of options. You will just have to do some research to see what you like and what fits you

 

[Bluejazz]

Go with custom action and any 6.5 caliber( 260/Creedmore/6.5x47).
Once I see what the 6.5 can do, I sold my 308

 

[Sniper260]

I just got my defiance machine deviant in yesterday!!!!! Its sweeet! I'm doing a .260. I'd steer away from the 308 too.. not that its bad but there are a few other calibers that do 1000 more efficiently that use the same bolt face. If you use your rem 700 action I'd at least have it trued up. Jmo

 

[Sniper260]

And IMO again... if your going to drop $800-1000 on a stock get a custom action to make it worth it. I'd rather have a custom action and cheap stock over a cheap action and expensive stock... think about that... if you use the rem 700 action anyways get a has precision stock and save the rest of that money for optics...

 

[bdotley]

I would say buy a Stiller custom action and build a 260 Rem on it but...

Based on what you've said, true the 700 action and put a 20" 1 in 10 twist barrel on it. The 10 twist will work for all of the heavier bullets that will work better at the longer ranges you mentioned. Badger for the 20 moa base, dbm and rings. McMillan stock that fits you well and then the best glass you can afford.

My personal rifle:
Stiller TAC 30 action with Stiller 20 moa rail
Rock Creek m40 contour, 20" 1 in 10 twist barrel chambered in 308 Tac Match; threaded for suppressor
Shilen trigger set at ~2.5 lbs
Badger DBM and 34mm rings
McMillan HTG with thumb wheel cheek and limbsaver pad, 13.5 lop
Harris BRM-S 6-9
Steiner 5-25x56mm scope

So obviously my advice is biased toward what I personally shoot...

 

[pinkhair]

There's nothing wrong with using your 700 action as long as you get it trued by a gunsmith it would work perfectly fine. It's what I use in my rifle. You should look at some of the manners stocks with mini-chassis, that would take care of your bedding and bottom metal allowing you to use aics mags. 11.25 twist is good, I had a krieger in that twist, sendero contour is a good all arounder and isn't too heavy. I only use jewel trigers and they are awesome.