.338 1000 yard rifle build. Need some input please

[ArcticFun]

First off I'll readily admit that I have not shot out to 1,000 yards with a rifle yet. I currently have a .308 LTR that I shoot out to 500 yards and will be expanding my range out to 800 yards as soon as the paint on the rifle drys. My planned build is as follows:

Rifle: Weatherby Mark V Accumark in .338-378
Stock: Manners T4A or McMillian A5
Scope: This is my biggest concern, I'm stuck between three scopes: Nightforce NXS 8-32, USO SN-3 5-25, and the S&B 5-25 Police Marksmen II
Base: Near MFG 25 MOA base
Rings: Near MFG Alphamount rings

When I get the rifle I'll take it to my smith and get the action trued and bedded as well as the first 2 inches of the barrel. I plan on using the stock Accubrake till I have the other things on my little list. The primary goal of this rifle is 1000 yards+ target shooting.

The question now is this: Is there anything on that list that is glaringly wrong? Is there anything that I should eliminate right off the bat and forget about? Besides strength what is the benefit of a 34mm tube vs a 30mm tube? This is my first build so I'm somewhat of a novice when it comes to this. By the way, I'll use the stock barrel until I burn it out which is when I'll probably be purchasing a Krieger barrel with a tighter throat depending on which load I'll be using.

Thanks in advance for the help and input.

 

[AMMOWASTER]

Re: .338 1000 yard rifle build. Need some input please

The weatherby is a pretty expensive gun to buy as a base gun. If you are set on it then stick with the factory configuration. You can have the factory rifle bedded.

A 34MM tube will have more adjustment than a 30MM tube.

Do you reload? 338-378 ammo is extremely expensive and there arent any factory "target loads" for it that I know of.

With the budget you are looking at I would look into a Sako TRG42 in 338 Lapua

 

[ArcticFun]

Re: .338 1000 yard rifle build. Need some input please

The only reason I choose the .338-378 over that of the .338LM is becuase I can purchase some factory ammunition right away for it and have an idea for how I want to load it. I live in Alaska and you can't ship ammunition up here for consumer use. I would go with a .338LM if I was able to find ammuntion for it up here but as of yet I haven't been able to locate anything. My reloading set is almost complete and once I get my press fixed I'll be putting some money down on a rifle.

 

[flyboy]

Re: .338 1000 yard rifle build. Need some input please

By the TRG or similar in 338lm and then reload for it. You'll be far better off with that combo as it is used alot more than the 338-378 for that type of shooting. Do that and you'll be more than happy.

There are also some 338LM that come up for sale it the FS section in your budget range. Might keep an eye out there also.

 

[ArcticFun]

Re: .338 1000 yard rifle build. Need some input please

Alright I'll look into the .338LM a bit more. How much would a bare bones TRG-42 run me if I bought it new? I'm asking new cause I've had a few extremely bad used items in the past. Would a Desert Tactical SRS be worth looking into? I would just need rings and a scope at that point then, no base or bipod. Or the AR-30 to start out with?

 

[shooting4life]

Re: .338 1000 yard rifle build. Need some input please

If you are going to spend the kind of coin you are talking about I would either buy a DTA SRS (that is what I wish I did) or put on a depends and camp out in the firearms for sale sectionand and get a great deal on something used. The price some of the used rifles are going for these days is crazy cheap compared to a year ago.

 

[desertHK]

Re: .338 1000 yard rifle build. Need some input please

1+ on the 338 LM. Reloading recipes are readily available. It's a stick that you can stretch out to 1500 - 1600 yards without investing in another caliber.