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First precision bolt gun

EODTech08

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 14, 2014
6
0
Ok so this is my first post here after reading a ton of threads. I've gotten quite a bit of good info from this forum the past few days which I'm extremely grateful for but I still have some questions.

First, I'm not a total noob to rifles. Just mainly to bolt guns in larger calibers. I've built several AR platform rifles but am wanting something with a bit more reach and precision.

I'm not really looking to build what I want since I'm inexperienced with bolt guns but I'll just go over a few things I'm looking for and see what advice I can get.

Caliber - I'm pretty set on .308 as to not add another odd caliber to my collection and it will reach as far as I'm wanting which is 800 yards or so.

Barrel - looking for 20-24" and threaded for a nice compensator or future suppressor. The thing I don't know is what twist rate to look for. I hear that 1/10 is good for what I'm looking for but I keep seeing lots of 1/12. Opinions?


Stock - this must be completely adjustable. Comfort is a key factor in keeping good accuracy. I really like the AICS 2.0 folding or the McMillan A3-5. My question here is, if I find a nice action and barrel but it has a different stock how hard is it to change? And what would I have to look out for when changing them? As I said, I'm inexperienced with the bolt gun platform.


Action and trigger - all advice welcome! I still have no idea what to look for.


I'm trying to keep this under $3500 so going straight to AI or GAP is kinda out of the question unless I hold off another 4 months.

Like I said all advice welcome.

Thanks again!
 
The twist rate stabilizes a different weight of bullet. 1-10 will reliably stabilize bullets in the 200gr range. This is about the heaviest bullet the .308 will push and still be magazine friendly. The 1-12 is common but not idea for LR shooting as it cannot reliably stabilize the "better" bullets.

Stocks on most bolt actions are easily swapped. For consistency though, you should invest in a torque wrench. All you need to do on a Rem 700 or clone action is to take two screws loose on the bottom and pull the action out.

The main thing to look out for when switching stocks is to get one for your action. Most action types comes in two styles, short or long. The .308 is usually short but can be built on a long action.

You can find stocks for Rem 700 actions that take normal AR stocks and grips.


Are you talking about only wanting to spend $3500 on a rifle, or on a system?

$3500 can get you a real slick rifle.
 
Thanks for the info! I'll be going for the 1/10 twist then. Any info on how that twist performance will differ between barrel lengths?

$3500 on just the rifle. That would leave me plenty for a nice Vortex Razor HD or Nightforce optic with rings.
 
Whats your plans for this rifle? If its hunting I'd go with a 20 inch barrel, for reduced weight and portability. Their are alot of guys that run 20s and they have no problem getting to a thousand yards.
 
Not really into hunting. I just shoot for the fun of the sport. I do like the thought of reduced weight and portability but not necessarily a requirement.
 
For your budget, check out RWS Gunsmithing. He has a Base Custom Rifle package that would be perfect for you and it is well inside of your budget. His work is amazing and I would go so far as to put it against any GAP built rifle. I own two of his rifles and a buddy of mine has two of them as well. His turnaround time is WAY faster than most. He had my .260 R700 build back to me in about 9 weeks.

His communication is awesome too, whether by phone or email. You won't be disappointed. The package starts at $1,400 and is built off of a 700 action. There are plenty of upgrades you can add on, like an AICS or what-have-you. It would leave you plenty of money for glass and ammo.

Base Custom Rifle | RW Snyder Gunsmithing
 
Wow that looks pretty awesome! The options it has brings up a few questions though.

1. For the trigger what be a good recommendation from his options? I hear a lot of people craze about both Timney and Jewelled triggers but I don't know much about either.

2. It doesn't say what twist rate the barrel comes in. Do you happen to know if it comes standard with a 1/10? Also, what does it mean by "barrel contour" I've never actually heard that phrase.

3. Any advice on whether or not to have the bolt fluted? Does it actually provide any performance enhancement or is it just for show?

Thanks again for the link! It looks pretty amazing and might just work out perfectly for me especially with the lead time.
 
Wow that looks pretty awesome! The options it has brings up a few questions though.

1. For the trigger what be a good recommendation from his options? I hear a lot of people craze about both Timney and Jewelled triggers but I don't know much about either.

2. It doesn't say what twist rate the barrel comes in. Do you happen to know if it comes standard with a 1/10? Also, what does it mean by "barrel contour" I've never actually heard that phrase.

3. Any advice on whether or not to have the bolt fluted? Does it actually provide any performance enhancement or is it just for show?

Thanks again for the link! It looks pretty amazing and might just work out perfectly for me especially with the lead time.

1. I have HEARD that the Jewell triggers are very good triggers when it comes to pull weight and the break but that they are more suited for bench rest than hunting/tactical.

2. Barrel contour is the way the barrel is shaped. You have it all the way from the "pencil" barrel contour all the way up to where the barrel doesn't taper. The former is very light but not as rigid, the latter heavy but stiff. Look for the lightest that can achieve your goal.

3. I think is is mainly for show and weight reduction but it does not reduce the weight by much.
 
The USMC uses barrels with a 1-12" twist.
Last I heard, they were successful at long range shooting.
A 1-12 will easily stabilize a 175 grain bullet, hell, it will stabilize the 190's.
That said, there is nothing wrong with a 1-10 twist.

I run a 1-11 twist because that is what Gary Schneider recommended when I spoke to him.
I have also run the 1-11.25 5R barrel with great success, this is what the Army uses, they too, seem to have had some success in long range shooting. (over 1300 yards in one instance).
 
Manners makes awesome stocks that can be had in a variety of configurations.

I run an XLR chassis, which is fully adjustable as is the Whiskey 3 and the MCree.
The Mcree and XLR are both excellent options that are significantly less than an AICS or fully tricked out Manners, McMillan or AICS

You have a generous budget, there are plenty of Hide smiths that will build you an awesome rifle for 3500.
 
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Wow that looks pretty awesome! The options it has brings up a few questions though.

1. For the trigger what be a good recommendation from his options? I hear a lot of people craze about both Timney and Jewelled triggers but I don't know much about either.

2. It doesn't say what twist rate the barrel comes in. Do you happen to know if it comes standard with a 1/10? Also, what does it mean by "barrel contour" I've never actually heard that phrase.

3. Any advice on whether or not to have the bolt fluted? Does it actually provide any performance enhancement or is it just for show?

Thanks again for the link! It looks pretty amazing and might just work out perfectly for me especially with the lead time.

If you talk to Robert, he will make sure he sources the right barrel for you. Just tell him what you want or what you are looking for and he can make suggestions. He's a super nice guy. I have a Rifle Basix trigger on my .260 and love it. It breaks somewhere around 12oz.

The benefit of going with a custom build is that you can get a personalized rifle the way you want it as opposed to a run-of-the-mill Accuracy International rifle that looks and shoots like everyone else's. I do like some of the AI products, but in my personal opinion some people (fanboys?) get too much of a raging hard-on over AI rifles for what they are and what they cost. A lot of $2,000 custom rifles will crap all over an AI rifle for less than 2/3rds of the cost.

Bring on the emotional rebuttals!
 
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Action and trigger - all advice welcome! I still have no idea what to look for.


I'm trying to keep this under $3500 so going straight to AI or GAP is kinda out of the question unless I hold off another 4 months.

Like I said all advice welcome.

Thanks again!

Look at the Sako TRG 22. Plenty of adjustbility and the best trigger there is. The action is very strong and the barrels are excellent. You can't go wrong. As accurate as the finest custom riffles. It's a platform that you can grow into easily. I have owned a bunch of custom guns and the TRG is the only one I have kept.
 
If you talk to Robert, he will make sure he sources the right barrel for you. Just tell him what you want or what you are looking for and he can make suggestions. He's a super nice guy. I have a Rifle Basix trigger on my .260 and love it. It breaks somewhere around 12oz.

The benefit of going with a custom build is that you can get a personalized rifle the way you want it as opposed to a run-of-the-mill Accuracy International rifle that looks and shoots like everyone else's. I do like some of the AI products, but in my personal opinion some people (fanboys?) get too much of a raging hard-on over AI rifles for what they are and what they cost. A lot of $2,000 custom rifles will crap all over an AI rifle for less than 2/3rds of the cost.

Bring on the emotional rebuttals!

Thanks a lot for the advice! I definitely agree that having a custom built rifle is nicer but I didn't think I'd be able to do it for this price! Looking through the options on his site I can trick this thing out pretty nice and still stay bellow my budget.

I'll definitely give Robert a call later this week and see what we can work out.

Thanks for everyone's advice! I'll keep you all posted as I progress.
 
You should be able to outfit yourself with a great rifle on that budget. I know many of us here wished we had that budget for our current rifles, let alone our first. Kudos to you and enjoy the process of selection. Warning, you will lose sleep contemplating certain options. Lol
 
Dude, listen to this post. For that money, especially not knowing exactly what you want, get an AI and know you have a rock solid action/system. These are the "old" models and are on closeout. Smoking deal and will be as accurate as pretty much any custom gun. Plus it's a folder. If I had that budget for just the rifle that's exactly what I would do.

 
Trust me, I have considered it. I just think I can get so much more for my money with the custom gun.
 
No worries, either one is gonna be an awesome shooter if you are using a good smith for the custom. It is kind of fun putting something together with your options, but I also like the idea of an AI which is pretty much as accurate as possible from the box plus the most reliable rifle you can find period. Of course weight is an issue with the AI. Really comes down to what you want, it's your money.
 
Sounds like whatever you choose you are going to have an awesome rifle. While your making your decision keep you eyes on the for sale section here on the hide. A rifle that fits your exact needs or wants may just pop up. If I had that $3500 budget I think I would try and jump on a AI. Shot one a few weeks a go at my local range and wish I had the funds. I really liked the feel of the stock. I know there are many people out there who don't. I have two GAP's now and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of them again
 
I fiddled with the same thoughts. I went ahead and bit the bullet an bought a GAP crusader. The gun will out shoot me by far, but I can learn into it and not have to worry about building/selling a gun that won't meet any new needs.
 
If you're trying to stay under $3,500 I don't think my rig could be beat.

r700(2).JPG
- Remington 700 5r in .308
- Replaced factory installed HS Precision stock w/ HS Precision Pro M24 stock, adjustable cheek piece and length of pull.
- HS Precision bottom metal (Gen 2) and (2) 10 round magazines.
- Nightforce 20 MOA base
- Nightforce medium 30mm rings
- Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP MRAD scope
- Harris bipod

All in all, this was about a $3,200 investment. Some would opt for better optics, but I absolutely love this scope. Plus, Vortex has a bulletproof warrantee (no pun intended), which is priceless. I did not opt to replace the trigger as my factory X-Mark trigger breaks consistently at a cool 3 lbs (some do not, in which case I would recommend a Timney trigger).

Happy shooting.