Want to build a new hunting rifle…Bolt rifle novice…be gentle!

[91Eunozs]

OK, I have a couple bolt guns, including an older Rem 700, a 783, as well as a Ruger Scout rifle; all three chambered in .308

I like these rifles just fine, but looking to build assemble something myself…want something lighter and a lot more accurate to reach out to longer ranges. My typical ‘hunt’ is shooting pigs over bait at 100 yards or less, with some deer or other smaller game animals out to 200-300 yards or so herein the hill country, or back home in the Southeast pine forests... I want the option of taking bigger game and/or longer ranges way out in West Texas where we’re looking to buy significantly more land.

I have some machine tools here at the house, with minor gunsmith skills. Can build you an AR in any flavor, or do minor tuning/fitting on pretty much any type of hand gun, but I know my limits. I’m by no means a real gun smith.

Budget for this build is ~$10K all in with scope and bipod.

I very much prefer the option to swap barrels/bolts for multiple caliber options, but that’s not a prime consideration. I seriously looked at the Barrett MRAD, but it’s as heavy, or heavier than my current rifles…I want to go the opposite direction for weight. I want light(ish) with a folding stock and a 16-18” (maybe as much as 20”) barrel in .308, with …well, some other heavier/longer reaching caliber in a barrel up to 24”or so that I can ethically take antelope-size game out to 800 yards or so, and maybe do some lower-level long range competition shooting.

I’d love that second caliber to be some flavor of magnum, preferably starting with a ‘3’ or higher, but not sure what would work on a short-action chassis needed for my primary .308 configuration. I know there are a lot of choices out there, but open to ideas as long as that caliber will work with the same chassis As the .308.

That’s a hard requirement btw … Have a shit ton of .308 ammo already, and reload that caliber a lot. Very comfortable with it, and it fulfills 90% or more of my hunting needs.

Leaning towards a Christensen Arms MPR chassis, and some flavor of a carbon fiber barrel, but know almost nothing re: what’s out there for Actions these days. Prefer something based on the Rem 700 action, and one that takes standard AICS mags. Easy buttom would be to just purchase a complete CA rifle, but mixed reviews on their actions, and I’m sure there’s something else out there that would scratch that ‘home brewed’ build itch I always get.

I was looking at Defiance Machine actions due to their huge customization choices, but again, have no real knowledge in this area outside of factory rifles. Again, I want to build my own…well assemble it anyway.

Pretty set on another Night Force or Schmidt and Bender scope…maybe Leupold. Probably in the 5-25 range, but open to suggestions. Have some flavor of all 3 of those scopes already mounted on other rifles, and impressed with how they perform and have held up.

Anyway, that’s enough typing for now…appreciate any input from The Hide.

Have my thick skin on tonight too, so any critiques gladly accepted as well!

 

[VargmatII]

Seems to me like you are looking at it backwards, atleast from a caliber perspective.

You write about 308 and something bigger that would fit a short action rifle and AICS magazines.

I would say that you need to think about how big/much of a caliber you want and then look at what is available to switch back down to a 308 winchester. Since its possible to use a long action and go smaller, and a lot harder (impossible) to use a short action and go bigger.

With your budget I would look at one of the avalable switch caliber rifles like Accuracy International AXMC, DTA SRS or Barrett MRAD.

And I know that you also want to keep it light, which is a bit of an oxymoron. I would think more in terms of resonable weight.

An AI AXMC with a short carbonfiber barrel in 308 will be heavier than a dedicated 308 set up, but still acceptable.
Then you can have a longer barrel in a magnum caliber, like 300 PRC or even 300 Norma or bigger still and make the switch at anytime with minimum effort.

 

[stello1001]

I was thinking 308 with the short barrel for hunting inside 500 yards. Then, I was thinking 30-06 to stretch out and use on larger game. But we all know 308 is short action and 30-06 is long action.

This leaves 308 and 300WSM. However, you'll need to change bolt heads or complete bolts to run this setup. Some weapon systems are designed with this in mind so it's no biggie.

 

[VargmatII]

I was thinking 308 with the short barrel for hunting inside 500 yards. Then, I was thinking 30-06 to stretch out and use on larger game. But we all know 308 is short action and 30-06 is long action.

This leaves 308 and 300WSM. However, you'll need to change bolt heads or complete bolts to run this setup. Some weapon systems are designed with this in mind so it's no biggie.

The difference between a 308 and a 30-06 is too small to bother, as long as you dont go with a super long barrel for the 06 and hotrod the rounds, then it will be in the 300WM class.

 

[91Eunozs]

Seems to me like you are looking at it backwards, atleast from a caliber perspective.

You write about 308 and something bigger that would fit a short action rifle and AICS magazines.

I would say that you need to think about how big/much of a caliber you want and then look at what is available to switch back down to a 308 winchester. Since its possible to use a long action and go smaller, and a lot harder (impossible) to use a short action and go bigger.

With your budget I would look at one of the avalable switch caliber rifles like Accuracy International AXMC, DTA SRS or Barrett MRAD.

And I know that you also want to keep it light, which is a bit of an oxymoron. I would think more in terms of resonable weight.

An AI AXMC with a short carbonfiber barrel in 308 will be heavier than a dedicated 308 set up, but still acceptable.
Then you can have a longer barrel in a magnum caliber, like 300 PRC or even 300 Norma or bigger still and make the switch at anytime with minimum effort.

I actually dreamed about this and just woke up from that dream (5 AM here) to post exactly this! Maybe I’m looking at this backwards...

Christensen does make a long action lightweight chassis, but not sure how to make that work with a .308. Will educate myself more on the chassis options you mention above.

 

[Billdoe708]

I'd just build the big gun. You have 3 308s to use. Buy a used 308 that's nicer down the road.

 

[TheBigCountry]

You could get an Origin or a TL3. You can swap bolt heads from standard to magnum. But, for all your purposes, a 308 and 6.5 Barrel can do it all.

I’ve said this in another thread, but you can come in way under your budget with:
Bighorn Origin
Prefit barrels of your choice, including a Proof carbon.
TT Special
KRG Bravo
The new Vortex LHT 4.5-22

You would have plenty left over to buy ammo, add a can, etc etc and be well setup. With an action wrench and barrel vise you can change barrels at the house.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I would go Kahles or Z comp before Leupold. What about 300 win mag or keep it short and go 7 SAUM.

 

[Milf Dots]

Defiance makes some sweeeeet actions, Lilja barrels, Proof barrels, Defiance and Proof also make rifles... All Montana based companies, so that's be a neat and unique build. Night Force is in Idaho.

 

[91Eunozs]

Thanks all… a lot to digest, and I’m just getting started! LOL

I looked at the AI and Barrett specs again, and they’re gorgeous…robust and perfect for their purpose, but this is a hunting rifle. One that I’ll be packing all day out in the field here in Texas; and every pound is another quart of water I can carry instead.

12-15# before I add a scope is too much rifle for this build…perfect for bench shooting, or if I‘m shooting from a fixed position, but I’ll be lugging this thing around on my back for at least a mile or more, and then moving again after each shot.

I really want to keep it under 10# … even lighter is better. My frankenstein light(ish) weight AR10 build (also in .308) is currently just under 9# even with a heavy as hell S&B short dot, and is my primary daytime shooter for pigs and the occasional deer here in the hill country … very thick brush, and I think the longest actual shot on game I’ve taken during the day around here is maybe 250 yards:

Typically get a little farther out at dusk/dawn in fields with thermal, maybe 300-350 yards or so, but almost always use my 6.8 AR for that. Faster follow up shots on running sounders of feral hogs.

So I’m now leaning towards a long action and just build it up in a magnum caliber, and not sweat the .308 compatability for now. But I still want to keep it light, and really want a folding stock to fit it in my backpack until I get to my blind or at least out to the areas where I’ll be hunting.

Will explore the suggestions above though after I get more than 3 hours of sleep!

Thanks for all the input so far…keep it coming!

 

[Milf Dots]

Check out West Texas Ordnance for some ideas and info

West Texas Ordnance, Inc. | Custom Rifles & Accessories

 

[91Eunozs]

You could get an Origin or a TL3. You can swap bolt heads from standard to magnum. But, for all your purposes, a 308 and 6.5 Barrel can do it all.

I’ve said this in another thread, but you can come in way under your budget with:
Bighorn Origin
Prefit barrels of your choice, including a Proof carbon.
TT Special
KRG Bravo
The new Vortex LHT 4.5-22

You would have plenty left over to buy ammo, add a can, etc etc and be well setup. With an action wrench and barrel vise you can change barrels at the house.

…and then I read this and am back to looking at a short actions! LOL

Glad I’m not in a hurry to build. More research needed.

 

[davsco]

diy lite - tikka t3x in 300wsm, swap out the barrel with a proof carbon shouldered prefit also in 300wsm, drop it in a mesa altitude stock. that's what i did. I actually haven't shot it yet but the one i did in 6.5 creed shoots awesome. or do the same thing starting with a 300winmag. WAYYY under your $10k even with awesome glass.

 

[Shoots 700's]

…and then I read this and am back to looking at a short actions! LOL

Glad I’m not in a hurry to build. More research needed.

The TL3 comes in long action as well.

 

[CMP70306]

American Rifle Company is running a sale on their actions that ends today, here would be my recommendation for the rifle

American Rifle Company LA ( any of the three though bolt head swaps on the Archimedes take more effort due to the design)

MDT HNT26 chassis, phenomenal chassis that is lighter than my AG composites stock without any bottom metal.

Proof Research if they have the configuration you want and Carbon6 if they don’t (I personally use a Barloc as it makes barrel changes much easier)

TriggerTech(I prefer specials for hunting guns)

That set up should come in around 8.75 to 9.5 depending upon scope and barrel choices. As for running a SA cartridge in a long action, try the Magpul Mags first and if they don’t work get a 30-06 mag from MDT and put the LRI spacer in it. I used them with a 6.5 PRC in a long action and it worked great.

(https://www.longriflesinc.com/colle...agazine-filler-block-for-sa-magnum-cartridges)

 

[z7.jled]

American rifle company action, or zermatt/bighorn action ($1200-1800)

Xlr element chassis (aluminum) ($700)
Carbon fiber barrels x2 ($2000)
Leupold mk5 3-18, Burris xtriii are good options ($2000)
RRS tripod and ball head ($1400)
Bipod ($300)
Trigger ($200)
2 mags for each caliber ($300)
30 cal suppressor($1000)
Decent range finder ($1000)
I think you should evaluate the “long range” caliber - a 7 Sherman short or Saum has wicked ballistics and makes a great hunting round.
If you really want a 30 cal, a 300 prc would work, so go long action everything.

I would also do some real figuring on weight, you can probably save some money without cf and have a 12lb rifle (16” 3b 308 barrel) and you might want the magnum to be a bit heavier, or maybe not I listed a quick setup for long range hunting that would be helpful or necessary for the 700-800 yd line for critters

 

[stello1001]

The difference between a 308 and a 30-06 is too small to bother, as long as you dont go with a super long barrel for the 06 and hotrod the rounds, then it will be in the 300WM class.

Well that's actually why I thought about a 30-06. Factory loads are stupidly light. But if one reloads for it, you can get close to 300 WM performance.

Another thing to note, the 308 is going to be short barreled while the 30-06 will be long barreled. There is definitely going to be a drastic difference in performance.

Anyhow, this doesn't matter much since one is LA & one SA. The 300WSM and 308 with swapping bolt heads makes more sense. He can have interchangeable projectiles for each other this way.

 

[Defender32]

You could get an Origin or a TL3. You can swap bolt heads from standard to magnum. But, for all your purposes, a 308 and 6.5 Barrel can do it all.

I’ve said this in another thread, but you can come in way under your budget with:
Bighorn Origin
Prefit barrels of your choice, including a Proof carbon.
TT Special
KRG Bravo
The new Vortex LHT 4.5-22

You would have plenty left over to buy ammo, add a can, etc etc and be well setup. With an action wrench and barrel vise you can change barrels at the house.

This is exactly what I did.

Origin, MDT ESS Chassis, 6.5 Creed barrel Heavy Hunter profile at 22", Burris XTR3 in ARC M-Brace Mount. I then bought a 6mm Creed for some PRS Matches & a 223 barrel for just plinking. I walk about 3/4 mile to by blind for Ky Deer season. Rifle packs easy and shoots damn good. Planning to build a second one for the wife and get rid of a few rifles and just buy barrels.

 

[The D]

OK, I have a couple bolt guns, including an older Rem 700, a 783, as well as a Ruger Scout rifle; all three chambered in .308

I like these rifles just fine, but looking to build assemble something myself…want something lighter and a lot more accurate to reach out to longer ranges. My typical ‘hunt’ is shooting pigs over bait at 100 yards or less, with some deer or other smaller game animals out to 200-300 yards or so herein the hill country, or back home in the Southeast pine forests... I want the option of taking bigger game and/or longer ranges way out in West Texas where we’re looking to buy significantly more land.

I have some machine tools here at the house, with minor gunsmith skills. Can build you an AR in any flavor, or do minor tuning/fitting on pretty much any type of hand gun, but I know my limits. I’m by no means a real gun smith.

Budget for this build is ~$10K all in with scope and bipod.

I very much prefer the option to swap barrels/bolts for multiple caliber options, but that’s not a prime consideration. I seriously looked at the Barrett MRAD, but it’s as heavy, or heavier than my current rifles…I want to go the opposite direction for weight. I want light(ish) with a folding stock and a 16-18” (maybe as much as 20”) barrel in .308, with …well, some other heavier/longer reaching caliber in a barrel up to 24”or so that I can ethically take antelope-size game out to 800 yards or so, and maybe do some lower-level long range competition shooting.

I’d love that second caliber to be some flavor of magnum, preferably starting with a ‘3’ or higher, but not sure what would work on a short-action chassis needed for my primary .308 configuration. I know there are a lot of choices out there, but open to ideas as long as that caliber will work with the same chassis As the .308.

That’s a hard requirement btw … Have a shit ton of .308 ammo already, and reload that caliber a lot. Very comfortable with it, and it fulfills 90% or more of my hunting needs.

Leaning towards a Christensen Arms MPR chassis, and some flavor of a carbon fiber barrel, but know almost nothing re: what’s out there for Actions these days. Prefer something based on the Rem 700 action, and one that takes standard AICS mags. Easy buttom would be to just purchase a complete CA rifle, but mixed reviews on their actions, and I’m sure there’s something else out there that would scratch that ‘home brewed’ build itch I always get.

I was looking at Defiance Machine actions due to their huge customization choices, but again, have no real knowledge in this area outside of factory rifles. Again, I want to build my own…well assemble it anyway.

Pretty set on another Night Force or Schmidt and Bender scope…maybe Leupold. Probably in the 5-25 range, but open to suggestions. Have some flavor of all 3 of those scopes already mounted on other rifles, and impressed with how they perform and have held up.

Anyway, that’s enough typing for now…appreciate any input from The Hide.

Have my thick skin on tonight too, so any critiques gladly accepted as well!

You already have several rifles that you use for hunting. If you want something to reach further, just build something dedicated to that. You could put your 700 in another stock and remage it with a few other barrels in something .308 based and still build your long range rifle. If you need something with more reach you could even get a .30-06 or 280ai barrel, keep some rounds in a sleeve on the stock, then just single feed them as necessary

Depending on how large a cartridge you want to end up with, you can buy an action with a replaceable bolt head. Mausingfield goes up to .588(Lapua size), most others stop at .535. Even stopping at .535 will get you all the way from .257 blackjack(if you want the challenge of a wildcat) to .338 edge. Stepping up to .588 bolt face will open up the possibility of the Tubb XC case, which itself has a wide range of options. If you need this gun to hunt long range with you could just buy a lighter/less expensive stock and just swap it on for a longer hunt.

Firearm LEGO’s are awesome…

 

[91Eunozs]

This is perfect! And one reason I’m so thankful for the brain trust that is this online community…I likely never would have found this option on my own. Thank you @CMP70306 !

I really, really wanted to find a way to shoot .308 in the same chassis as something larger or more powerful…that AI and Barrett are perfect in that regard, but just too heavy for this specific build; maybe as a next step. When I build this, it will almost always have the heavier/longer caliber configured, but wanted the option to switch back to .308 with just a barrel and bolt swap (and mags of course) just because I have so damn much of it on hand … both ammo and components for reloading.

The land we’re looking at abuts a buddy’s family “ranch” that’s several thousand acres out in the middle of nowhere. He shoots a lot of 300 Win Mag through his Petra, and it’d be nice to shoot that cartridge too…it’d give me a reason to start reloading that caliber and I could tap into his stash if required. God knows he’s shot enough of my .308 loads through his SCAR 17 over the years! LOL

Ironically, factory 300WM was almost always available at Academy Sports in my AO during last year’s craziness. I’d still want to develop my own loads, but ready access to factory ammo is not an insignificant consideration for my selection process.

Really appreciating all the input y’all.

… As for running a SA cartridge in a long action, try the Magpul Mags first and if they don’t work get a 30-06 mag from MDT and put the LRI spacer in it. I used them with a 6.5 PRC in a long action and it worked great.

(https://www.longriflesinc.com/colle...agazine-filler-block-for-sa-magnum-cartridges)

 

[Hobo Hilton]

I did a copy / paste on one of your thoughts:
So I’m now leaning towards a long action and just build it up in a magnum caliber, and not sweat the .308 compatability for now. But I still want to keep it light, and really want a folding stock to fit it in my backpack until I get to my blind or at least out to the areas where I’ll be hunting.

That could be an oxymoron statement .... You should go out and shoot a 300WM in a light weight stock configuration... If the recoil is within your tolerance then continue on with that thought.

 

[91Eunozs]

I did a copy / paste on one of your thoughts:
So I’m now leaning towards a long action and just build it up in a magnum caliber, and not sweat the .308 compatability for now. But I still want to keep it light, and really want a folding stock to fit it in my backpack until I get to my blind or at least out to the areas where I’ll be hunting.

That could be an oxymoron statement .... You should go out and shoot a 300WM in a light weight stock configuration... If the recoil is within your tolerance then continue on with that thought.

great call out…. Have shot two flavors of the Petra (seems to be a popular rifle with my friend set), and it’s right at the 10# weight I’m shooting for. While it’s certainly robust, it’s not intolerable. I wouldn’t want to shoot it all day, but ok for sighting and a couple shots on target is no problem.

I’m picking up what you’re putting down though…

edit: and the recoil mitigation in the Petra likely has a lot to do with it being more manageable!

 

[The D]

Is your .308 minimum caliber just a personal preference? The 7 saum is very capable, especially when hand loaded. That won’t give up much on a long range hunt to a .30 magnum

 

[Hobo Hilton]

great call out…. Have shot two flavors of the Petra (seems to be a popular rifle with my friend set), and it’s right at the 10# weight I’m shooting for. While it’s certainly robust, it’s not intolerable. I wouldn’t want to shoot it all day, but ok for sighting and a couple shots on target is no problem.

I’m picking up what you’re putting down though…

edit: and the recoil mitigation in the Petra likely has a lot to do with it being more manageable!

Here in Montana (and other places) the hunters like to see where the shot landed or which way the big game went. When I have to wait 3 - 5 seconds for my eye's to focus... It seems like an eternity....

 

[91Eunozs]

Is your .308 minimum caliber just a personal preference? The 7 saum is very capable, especially when hand loaded. That won’t give up much on a long range hunt to a .30 magnum

Not at all…. Just want the option to shoot it because I have a lot of it, shoot it a lot already, can use it for a ‘shorter’ range hunting caliber, etc. I figured shooting this in .308 guise would be a lot cheaper and allow me to get more familiar with the platform as I slide deeper into this game.

To be honest, I could probably just build this as a .308 and be perfectly happy with it…

But as pointed out in posts above, I already have those bases pretty well covered. I really want a more modern and compact light(ish) weight hunting rifle that I can stretch out to 800 yards or more. Knowing me though, this will just be a gateway gun that’ll have me running down the long range shooting rabbit hole in short order, so I’d also like to have the option to shoot a caliber that’s more competitive if (when) I start down that path.

 

[91Eunozs]

Here in Montana (and other places) the hunters like to see where the shot landed or which way the big game went. When I have to wait 3 - 5 seconds for my eye's to focus... It seems like an eternity....

You’re not wrong! LOL

 

[The D]

Not at all…. Just want the option to shoot it because I have a lot of it, shoot it a lot already, can use it for a ‘shorter’ range hunting caliber, etc. I figured shooting this in .308 guise would be a lot cheaper and allow me to get more familiar with the platform as I slide deeper into this game.

To be honest, I could probably just build this as a .308 and be perfectly happy with it…

But as pointed out in posts above, I already have those bases pretty well covered. I really want a more modern and compact light(ish) weight hunting rifle that I can stretch out to 800 yards or more. Knowing me though, this will just be a gateway gun that’ll have me running down the long range shooting rabbit hole in short order, so I’d also like to have the option to shoot a caliber that’s more competitive if (when) I start down that path.

Your preference of some way to swap bolts/barrels gives you unlimited choices. Having barrels in the original SAAMI vanilla chambers is perfectly fine. That will enable you to always have something to shoot. But those factory options can be sort of limited. Having even a basic reloading setup will give you enough options to fill a lifetime of shooting

 

[AXEFORCE6]

Here's an idea. I own an MPR in 6.5 PRC. Order one in 300 PRC and a barrel for a 6.5 PRC. Two very capable rifles in one great platform.

 

[TheBigCountry]

…and then I read this and am back to looking at a short actions! LOL

Glad I’m not in a hurry to build. More research needed.

Just get an Origin. You won’t regret it.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Not at all…. Just want the option to shoot it because I have a lot of it, shoot it a lot already, can use it for a ‘shorter’ range hunting caliber, etc. I figured shooting this in .308 guise would be a lot cheaper and allow me to get more familiar with the platform as I slide deeper into this game.

To be honest, I could probably just build this as a .308 and be perfectly happy with it…

But as pointed out in posts above, I already have those bases pretty well covered. I really want a more modern and compact light(ish) weight hunting rifle that I can stretch out to 800 yards or more. Knowing me though, this will just be a gateway gun that’ll have me running down the long range shooting rabbit hole in short order, so I’d also like to have the option to shoot a caliber that’s more competitive if (when) I start down that path.

Sounds like you need a 20” 6.5 Creed in a LW chassis.

 

[ChidJ]

I don't own one but a Q Fix with Proof CF 16in 308 barrel topped with Leupod Mk5 3-18 in ARCm10 rings with Atlas CAL bipod should come in at right around 7.7 lbs (off the top of my head. don't crucify me if I'm off a few ounces)

I think there are better options but that fits exactly within the parameters you set

 

[91Eunozs]

Sounds like you need a 20” 6.5 Creed in a LW chassis.

Maybe…

 

[91Eunozs]

OK…. Still haven’t decided if I’m going Rem 700 long action or short, but decided on a chassis:

HNT26 Chassis System

The first purpose-built hunting chassis from MDT. Weighing in starting at 26oz (for chassis stock, buttstock, forend and pistol grip combined), this is the most ultra-light hunting rifle chassis on the market.

mdttac.com

That post above by @CMP70306 got the gears turning, and I just read through the whole MDT ACC chassis shitstorm in the BF deals thread…how can I NOT buy something from them after the way they responded to all that? Calmly saying “it’ll be taken care of” when they clearly had an out…especially with some of the crap talk thrown in…tells me everything I need to know about the company, and more importantly the integrity of the folks calling the shots.

Unfortunately all too rare these days, even in this industry.

As soon as @MDT_OFFICIAL (ok, their customer support) responds to my email re: whether or not the .mil discount applies to us ORFs, I’ll be ordering one with the ARCA rail and a lightweight CKYE pod (spelling?) to boot. Well, back ordering one anyway…both long and short action chassis are out of stock.

Guess I need to shit or get off the pot re: caliber choice eh?

Anyone here know the heaviest caliber anyone’s run through that chassis?

I actually went and looked at a Ruger Precision Rifle in 300 Win Mag this afternoon… very stout! I think that may be too much for this chassis! Would love to see what’s been done on a long action in this chassis though.

Easy answer is to just do the .308 on a short action for now, and then find a short action ‘specialty’ flavor that’ll work for me ballistically. I’m have a tough time letting go of wanting it all though…long action with the option of shooting .308 (maybe via the mag spacer mentioned above); all in a 10# or so package.

Moving forward though… Good to see progress, even if it’s just mental!

 

[CMP70306]

OK…. Still haven’t decided if I’m going Rem 700 long action or short, but decided on a chassis:

HNT26 Chassis System

The first purpose-built hunting chassis from MDT. Weighing in starting at 26oz (for chassis stock, buttstock, forend and pistol grip combined), this is the most ultra-light hunting rifle chassis on the market.

mdttac.com

That post above by @CMP70306 got the gears turning, and I just read through the whole MDT ACC chassis shitstorm in the BF deals thread…how can I NOT buy something from them after the way they responded to all that? Calmly saying “it’ll be taken care of” when they clearly had an out…especially with some of the crap talk thrown in…tells me everything I need to know about the company, and more importantly the integrity of the folks calling the shots.

Unfortunately all too rare these days, even in this industry.

As soon as @MDT_OFFICIAL (ok, their customer support) responds to my email re: whether or not the .mil discount applies to us ORFs, I’ll be ordering one with the ARCA rail and a lightweight CKYE pod (spelling?) to boot. Well, back ordering one anyway…both long and short action chassis are out of stock.

Guess I need to shit or get off the pot re: caliber choice eh?

Anyone here know the heaviest caliber anyone’s run through that chassis?

I actually went and looked at a Ruger Precision Rifle in 300 Win Mag this afternoon… very stout! I think that may be too much for this chassis! Would love to see what’s been done on a long action in this chassis though.

Easy answer is to just do the .308 on a short action for now, and then find a short action ‘specialty’ flavor that’ll work for me ballistically. I’m have a tough time letting go of wanting it all though…long action with the option of shooting .308 (maybe via the mag spacer mentioned above); all in a 10# or so package.

Moving forward though… Good to see progress, even if it’s just mental!

Honestly the chassis is pretty damn strong, mines chambered in 6.5 PRC but I would have no issues getting a second chassis for my 300 Win Mag. The thing is rock solid.

Also as a bonus you can stuff a handwarmer in the grip to keep your hands warm on those cold all day sits.

 

[91Eunozs]

OK, if I stay short action, a couple calibers stand out to me: 6.5 man bun and 6.5 PRC. Primarily due to availability of commercial/factory loaded ammo...a strong consideration, but not a show stopper.

I don’t want to get into a caliber or relative ballistics war, just want to understand the physical differences between 6.5 CM and 6.5 PRC bolts, and what other changes that would be required to go from a .308 to rechambering in either of those calibers.

To start off, 6.5CM uses a .308 bolt face, the PRC uses a magnum bolt face. Correct?

Depending on the action, I could use the same bolt for both, just different bolt faces (or a different bolt in the same action)…after headspaceing, etc. So for 6.5 CM, theoretically only need a new barrel, for PRC, barrel and bolt.

.243 Winchester is another dark horse caliber for me..can reach out to 800 yards pretty easily, and readily available…including here at the house! I have a pump action in .243W.

.260 is also very intriguing to me for a short action caliber, but seems like there’s not as much support as the others.

What sayeth the hide?

edit: just saw the post from @CMP70306 above…so to confirm, you’re running that in a long action, using 30.06 mags with a spacer, correct? Man, if I could get that to work with a .308 round that‘d tick all my boxes.

edit 2: and a secondary consideration is the sheer volume of .308 bullets I already have in hand for reloading. Could theoretically use the same bullets for a Win Mag load.

 

[CMP70306]

OK, if I stay short action, a couple calibers stand out to me: 6.5 man bun and 6.5 PRC. Primarily due to availability of commercial/factory loaded ammo...a strong consideration, but not a show stopper.

I don’t want to get into a caliber or relative ballistics war, just want to understand the physical differences between 6.5 CM and 6.5 PRC bolts, and what other changes that would be required to go from a .308 to rechambering in either of those calibers.

To start off, 6.5CM uses a .308 bolt face, the PRC uses a magnum bolt face. Correct?

Depending on the action, I could use the same bolt for both, just different bolt faces (or a different bolt in the same action)…after headspaceing, etc. So for 6.5 CM, theoretically only need a new barrel, for PRC, barrel and bolt.

.243 Winchester is another dark horse caliber for me..can reach out to 800 yards pretty easily, and readily available…including here at the house! I have a pump action in .243W.

.260 is also very intriguing to me for a short action caliber, but seems like there’s not as much support as the others.

What sayeth the hide?

edit: just saw the post from @CMP70306 above…so to confirm, you’re running that in a long action, using 30.06 mags with a spacer, correct? Man, ifI can get that to work with a .308 round that‘d tick all the boxes.

So I’ll give you the run down,

Had a rifle chambered in 6.5 PRC on a Mausingfield LA with a spare 300 win mag barrel. I used 300 WM mags with the LRI spacer to get them to feed 6.5 PRC correctly out of 5 round Mags due to the fitment of the bottom metal in my AG composites stock. 3 round Mags had more spring force and thereby prevented the dip issue that the LRI spacer prevented on the larger Mags. With a chassis or better stock fitment I probably wouldn’t need the spacers.

Gun worked perfectly after that but I got the itch to build a SA hunting rifle so the LA became a 300 WM permanently and the 6.5 PRC barrel and scope went on an Archimedes SA in the MDT HNT26 chassis that I showed in the picture above.

Since they are both magnum bolt faces I didn’t need to swap the bolt head or Mags but if you were to run a smaller diameter case such as the 308 you would need the Mags with feedlips set up for a smaller cartridge which is why I recommend the 30-06 Mags.

.243, 260, 6.5 Creed and .308 are all standard SA cartridges so you would only need a barrel swap for them. The 6.5 PRC is a SA magnum so you would need the additional bolt head as well as different Mags with the wider feed lips, assume that the PRC will beat the creed by 200 fps.

 

[91Eunozs]

Copy all…. Thanks! Appreciate the input and especially for laying out how you got them to work together.

— break, break —

So sticking to the magnum caliber discussion, does a 300 WSM give me enough of an advantage over .308 to even bother? I could use the same bullets for reloading, and it clearly has a lot more potential from the larger case, but I’d still have to swap mags, bolt, and barrels like with the 300 win mag, but without the clear advantage that 300 Win Mag has over .308

Well, ballistically anyway…not sure my shoulder would appreciate the pounding from the win mag, even if I add weights.

One other consideration: None of my four 7.62 (and larger) cans are rated for 300WM… Well, I also have two .45 and another two 9mm cans that would physically fit the bullet, but that would be a remarkably bad idea. My 458 vers can certainly has enough volume, but it’s only rated up to 2,650 fps.

Not a huge deal as I’d almost certainly shoot .308 most of the time out of this chassis unless I’m actually on a hunt, and hey! What’s one more tax stamp and another year-long wait? LOL

 

[91Eunozs]

Sounds like you need a 20” 6.5 Creed in a LW chassis.

Quoting this one more time before I rack out for a few hours (work tonight)…. That easy button “just buy the short action with a 16-18” barrel in .308 and another at 20-22” in 6.5CM“ is starting to glow pretty bright… LOL

Same mags, same bolt, light recoil, but can still easily reach out past 800 yards.

—

But the dark side that is that long action in 300WM is whispering pretty loudly in my other ear!

—


Will sleep on it…

 

[91Eunozs]

And so the trip down the rabbit hole begins…

So yeah…decided to stop trying to do everything and just went with a short action For this one.

Talked to the great folks at @Defiance Machine this morning on my drive into town and have a nitrided AntiX action (with a custom serial#!) in the queue…only 10-11 months out! LOL

Also got the barrel ordered today from Straight Jacket Armory: 22” Proof cf Sendero profile, short shanked to 21”. I only shoot suppressed and not too worried about the 150fps or so loss from a 24” barrel for my purposes. ETA late Spring/early Summer of next year.

Have been waiting to see if the MDT HNT26 chassis pops up in stock anywhere, but with the lead times for the barrel and action being what they are, will just back order straight from MDT tonight.

I should be able to get some ammo in hand by then too! I’d start rolling my own tonight, but need to research (and find) the best powder and magnum primers. Not sure the stuff I have on hand for loading .308, .223, and 300BLK will do the trick.

 

[stello1001]

And so the trip down the rabbit hole begins…

So yeah…decided to stop trying to do everything and just went with a short action For this one.

Talked to the great folks at @Defiance Machine this morning on my drive into town and have a nitrided AntiX action (with a custom serial#!) in the queue…only 10-11 months out! LOL

Also got the barrel ordered today from Straight Jacket Armory: 22” Proof cf Sendero profile, short shanked to 21”. I only shoot suppressed and not too worried about the 150fps or so loss from a 24” barrel for my purposes. ETA late Spring/early Summer of next year.

Have been waiting to see if the MDT HNT26 chassis pops up in stock anywhere, but with the lead times for the barrel and action being what they are, will just back order straight from MDT tonight.

I should be able to get some ammo in hand by then too! I’d start rolling my own tonight, but need to research (and find) the best powder and magnum primers. Not sure the stuff I have on hand for loading .308, .223, and 300BLK will do the trick.

I'm not entirely sure you need magnum primers. I think whatever primers and bullets you use with 308 could definitely work for 300WSM. I think you picked a great cartridge, good luck with it...

 

[jbuck88]

10k gets you 2 nice customs and either 2 great scopes or 1 alpha scope to swap back and forth.

I went two customs versus a switch barrel setup. I almost went 308win and 300wsm. However I went 20" 6.5cm and 24" 300wsm other then the chambering they are identical. I figured 2 was better then 1 as I would always have a backup ready to go.

 

[WeiserBucks]

10k gets you 2 nice customs and either 2 great scopes or 1 alpha scope to swap back and forth.

I went two customs versus a switch barrel setup. I almost went 308win and 300wsm. However I went 20" 6.5cm and 24" 300wsm other then the chambering they are identical. I figured 2 was better then 1 as I would always have a backup ready to go.

What he fuck rifles and scopes are you talking about? $2500 per rifle and per scope?

$10k buys 1 Alpha rifle and 1 Alpha scope.

 

[91Eunozs]

Thanks @stello1001 Assumed it’d need them, but a quick search indicates that while they’re preferred, folks are getting pretty good results without using magnum primers too. Appreciate the tip!

Still educating myself on this cartridge …. Would appreciate anyone’s pet loads for this round (or please point me in the direction of a specific thread if already discussed there). About to order some Norma ammo I found online, but it appears only Hornady and Nosler make bare brass.

Was really hoping Lapua made brass for this round, but if they do I can’t find it.

Also, researching cans now…. Have several already, but only one of mine is compatible with this round. Ironically it’s also one of my smallest; a Thunderbeast 5C that I have on the 300BLK upper for one of my SBR’d PDW builds:

Looks huge there…but it’s because that rifle is so tiny, that’s a pretty small can.

Ironically, my largest can, a Bower’s 458 versadapt that I mainly use on a 450 Bushmaster upper, but occasionally throw on my .308 guns too if I’m not carrying it too far … have lighter/smaller 7.62 cans for that. That 458 can certainly has the bore and volume, but is only rated up to 2,650fps, and I think even the lightest 300WSM loads will exceed that.

Here’s that can on a 10.5” barrel in 450BM, but tucked under a 15” rail…it’s a huge can:

…edit: and yes, that lower is also SBR’d … LOL

Edit #2: On the notification list w/Silencershop for when the Thunderbeast Ultra 9CB is back in stock,but will probably go ahead and order a Deadair Nomad-LT for this build mañana. Will be ironic if I get the can before the Action! LOL

At some point I will build up something on a long action (leaning towards 300 PRC now), and want to have a can that can handle that too…but not sure I want to go all the way up to a 338-rated can for that build, even if I’m not humping it around in the woods / shooting primarily from a rest.

 

[jbuck88]

What he fuck rifles and scopes are you talking about? $2500 per rifle and per scope?

$10k buys 1 Alpha rifle and 1 Alpha scope.

A couple of LRI built hunting rifles. They wear a NX8 2.5-20 and a nxs 2.5-10x42 now though.

 

[WeiserBucks]

A couple of LRI built hunting rifles. They wear a NX8 2.5-20 and a nxs 2.5-10x42 now though.

The rifle in front is a rebarrel/fit stock deal. Good job throwing LRI out of your suck to try and sound expensive. A typical full build from LRI, from scratch, is $6k+.

 

[jbuck88]

The rifle in front is a rebarrel/fit stock deal. Good job throwing LRI out of your suck to try and sound expensive. A typical full build from LRI, from scratch, is $6k+.

Not quite sure what you are saying. LRI did the accurizing and barrel install. I did the bedding.
I'm assuming you could be at the same money using prefits and a rem clones and chassis's.

Edit: I grew up hunting Winchester m70's so both started as donors. One was a 308 and one was a 270wsm.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Not quite sure what you are saying. LRI did the accurizing and barrel install. I did the bedding.
I'm assuming you could be at the same money using prefits and a rem clones and chassis's.

Edit: I grew up hunting Winchester m70's so both started as donors. One was a 308 and one was a 270wsm.

That's exactly what I'm saying, $2.5k doesn't get it done on a turn key build. You saying $10k buys 2 rifles and 2 scopes is bullshit without plenty of DIY work and cheap scopes.

 

[91Eunozs]

A couple of LRI built hunting rifles. They wear a NX8 2.5-20 and a nxs 2.5-10x42 now though.

pretty! Daddy like…

yes, I’ve been drinking. LOL

 

[jbuck88]

Chassis $1,000
Trigger $200
Barrel $850
Action $1,200
Rifle Total. $3,250
Scope $1,650 (eurooptic.com NX8 2.5-20 demo)
Rifle and scope = $4,900
Now you still need a magazine and scope rings. But you can save a decent chuck of the above prices but shopping sales or in the classifieds.

 

[jbuck88]

pretty! Daddy like…

yes, I’ve been drinking. LOL

I like your idea of building a 308win that you can practice with, or shoot most of the time.

I built my 300wsm first as a do all, and really like the way it felt and handled. However I can honestly say I don't enjoy shooting very much outside of hunting with the recoil and muzzle blast. So I built a 6.5cm to mimic the feel. I shoot the 6.5cm 10 to 1 over the 300wsm. I have less then your 10k budget into both rifles combined as pictured with the Atlas PSR and 5H.

It can be done. Or you can go out and spend a shit ton more and be just as happy. This was on a blacktail hunt this fall, AXSR 338L and ATACR 7-35.