Build or Re-Build?

[ut755ln]

I have a GAP .260 with the following specs

GAP Templar 260
Tuned Remington Trigger
24" Bartlein 1-8 barrel
Tubb Brake
EFR
Cerakote OD Green
Surgeon Bottom Metal
Manners T5a
Front Pic Rail
6 Flush cups
Accepts AW mags

A little background now. I am kind of a one rifle guy and I want the rifle to be multi purpose. I belong to a gun club in the Houston area that has contest out to 1,000 (paper and steel). I want to be able to hunt with the rifle (hogs and deer). I also think that I would like to start trying some tactical competitions, not so much to win but they look like fun. One last piece of information, I don't reload and don't want to learn how to.

Like a lot of people on the hide, I wasn't sure what was right for me. I went with a very reputable builder and bought a really solid rifle. Having owned it for a year and used it in all of the above except tactical competitions I found that the rifle isn't quite right for me as is.

1) I want a lighter rifle, I would re-barrel it into a contour like a rem varmint and have it fluted. I would probably go somewhere between 18 and 20 inches. I took the rifle deer hunting last year and it was too heavy for stalking all day.

2) The stock is extremely well made, can't be more positive on the quality. I am a big guy and the hand grip is just the wrong size for me. The shooting community here in Houston is very kind and I have got to try a couple of different chassis and stocks so I would need to order a replacement here as well.

3) The muzzle brake works exactly as advertised. Now that I have got to try different things I would like to shoot with a suppressor so another change.

4) I like two stage triggers, specifically the Huber and would change that as well.

5) I also may change the caliber. I like the .260 but have thought about going in a different directions. Change to .308 because it will allow me to shoot more without wearing out the barrel. Maybe change to 6.5 CM because of the excellent readily available factory ammunition.

At the end of the day I am going to end up with something more the size of a GAP Gladius with an ultra light stock.

So my question is, sell this one and start over or salvage what I can and have it remade into what I want?

PS I have a USO 5x25 and a SB 5x25 that have turned out to be more scope then I need as well. I think that the right answer is to move down in magnification and weight and go to one of the 3x20 or 4x16. I have personally found that I have never needed to have the magnification higher then around 15x.

 

[jordan0317]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

Well if you know exactly what you want then sell all te other stuff ad put all of that money into a brand new sick ass exactly how you want it rifle with the exact piece of glass you want sitting on top. Unless money isn't an issue then keep everything and just build another one

 

[stalski]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

Start over, do it right.

1) Decide on caliber: .308 is a good choice, but so is 6.5CM; less recoil, flatter, faster, can hunt, etc. Go with 6.5CM.

2) Buy a suppressor for this caliber and send in paperwork because the wait takes 7 months right now.

3) Decide on stock: You can only do this by handling the stocks and see what fits in your big ugly mitts. Go to a gun show. OR, buy/sell shit on ebay/hide until you find what works.

4) Decide on barrel length: I'd go with a 22 based on your specs (good trade-off of weight/length).

5) Add accessories as needed.

 

[The Surgeons Ghost]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

I would go with the 308 or 300 Win Mag and get good at making wind calls. The 6.5's are great but you are going to be chasing the tune every few hundred rounds, if you run it hard. If you are easy on it you are still going to have to keep it tuned, just not as often as running it hard. No free lunches, either read the wind or get good at tuning. I am like you, I do not reload, although I do want to. So chasing a tune is out for me, I just don't have the skill. Don't mind burning a barrel up, heck that is what they are there for. Kind of like tires on a new Chevy truck. You don't go out a buy a new Chevy and park it because you don't want to wear the tires out, do you? Same goes for the barrel on a rifle, it is the cheapest part on one when you think about it. Either way you go, you had better be good at one thing or the other. Me, I'll get good at calling the wind. I figure that in matches, reading the wind will place me ahead of the curve in most cases. At least at local matches anyway. Outside of that, I just like shooting and that is enough for me. I don't need a medal to tell me that I am a good rifleman. JM2C, for what it is worth.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

I would hate to unload a beautiful rifle like that, but it appears that you selected excellent components, but ended up with a rifle not to your liking.

I would have to say, sell it. You won't take much of a loss, if any.
You have enough posts to list it in the exchange.

If you plan on shooting comps, I would seriously consider the 6.5cm, but you would want about 24" barrel length. You could go 22" as a suppressor will give some velocity back.

The 6.5 outclasses the .308, though you could load the 155 scenar in the .308 and get very close.

I would just suggest that you don't go too light. Fine for hunting, fine for shooting from a bench, but shooting lots of rounds prone with a light rifle will tell on you. 6.5CM would mitigate this as it is lighter recoil.

 

[swampbuck]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

Lots of smithing put into that one. You are changing too many parts to rebuild. I say sell and start over. I agree with fdkay on the 24 inch barrel. Sendero contour is very nice. Be sure to try as many stocks as possible. I would go with the 6.5 set for hornady 140 Amax. i don't think tuning will be a problem You should be able to get 1/4 MOA with a good builder and it won't open over 1/5 MOA for a good while.

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Don't do it! You will seriously regret messing up that rifle.</span></span>

If you want a hunting rifle with a fluted, lightweight barrel then just buy one off the shelf. You will save yourself a lot of money and it will easily fulfill your needs.

I highly recommend buying a SAKO Finnlight which retails for $1500.00 and come in a variety of calibers. That variety now includes .260 Remington amoung their traditional line up.

Is it a 1000 yard one hole tack driver? No. But it is a very well engineered and built lightweight hunting rifle. Stainless steel all around, good trigger and an accurate lightweight fluted barrel.

I used to have one of these in 6.5x55 Swede and I kick myself for selling it. These rifles are built so well that I am determined to replace it.

I recommend you buy one, scope it with your choice of hunting optics, and get out in the woods hunting!

 

[Bradu]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

I would sell this and build what you want since you would probably change the stock, barrel and sound like the trigger too. It's a beautiful rifle and should sell easily.

 

[JC189]

Re: Build or Re-Build?


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bradu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would sell this and build what you want since you would probably change the stock, barrel and sound like the trigger too. It's a beautiful rifle and should sell easily. </div></div>

I agree Bradu. lots of guys looking for a rig set up just the way yours is.

I also agree with ranger1183. Build the rifle you want for the range and tactical competitions. You will have more fun shooting exactly what you want (now that you know what that is) but it still might not be perfect for hunting Deer and Hogs.
Sako builds a top notch out of the box hunting rifle. I also had one many years ago in 308. you could cover a 3 shot group at 100yds with a dime every time. I sold it. big mistake. tried to buy it back several times. No luck. I replaced it with a Sako in 260 a few months ago. It puts 123gr Scenars in one ragged hole at 100yds. Not bad for an out of the box Hunting rifle.

 

[The Surgeons Ghost]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ranger1183</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Don't do it! You will seriously regret messing up that rifle.</span></span>

If you want a hunting rifle with a fluted, lightweight barrel then just buy one off the shelf. You will save yourself a lot of money and it will easily fulfill your needs.

I highly recommend buying a SAKO Finnlight which retails for $1500.00 and come in a variety of calibers. That variety now includes .260 Remington amoung their traditional line up.

Is it a 1000 yard one hole tack driver? No. But it is a very well engineered and built lightweight hunting rifle. Stainless steel all around, good trigger and an accurate lightweight fluted barrel.

I used to have one of these in 6.5x55 Swede and I kick myself for selling it. These rifles are built so well that I am determined to replace it.

I recommend you buy one, scope it with your choice of hunting optics, and get out in the woods hunting!
</div></div>

Have to agree.

I'm older now, hopefully a bit wiser. Sold a lot of guns when I was younger for many reasons. Wish I knew then what I know now and had never sold them. Been some nice guns along the way. A few, to this very day, that I still kick myself in the ass for letting go.

If you don't take anything from this thread take this. Regret is sometimes hard to live with. So what ever decision you make, I hope it is the right one.

 

[squin]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

Such a beautiful gun. Like others have said you should have no problems selling it. Then build exactly what you want. Maybe a switch barrel setup is they way to go.

 

[cwatson308]

Re: Build or Re-Build?

Build new!! always nice to have a new rifle