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Gunsmithing Build Vs Buy

W

westernhunter23

Private
Minuteman
Mar 22, 2011
6
0
41
Arizona
#1
I have been researching a lot on a semi-custom rifle build. I am very “Green” and I hope these aren’t stupid questions.
I have about a $1300 budget to buy or have built a 300 WSM. In researching there are so many configurations you can have with an action and barrel it is unbelievable.
If I were to order a barreled action where would I go? Would I save money doing this and installing myself?
 
#3
Re: Build Vs Buy

FN-Herstal PBR and SPR rifles have a great reputation. Use the Win 70 controlled round feed and a match quality chrome-lined barrel, plus the SPR is factory equipped with several types of McMIllan tactical stocks.

I would buy .308win, but .300wsm is the other factory offered chambering; so that meets your goals.

The .308win is not greatly disadvantaged to a short-action magnum. Nice to have a rifle chambered for a round in current military inventory. Lots more brass and loaded ammunition produced for the .308; plus there are mil-surplus quality loads available. Barrel longevity is much superior with the .308 versus any magnum burning 60+ grains of powder. The FN-H SPR chrome-lined barrel should last well over 10K rounds. A .300wsm might keep yielding accuracy for 3K rounds, the chrome-lining is a big plus, but unless you plan to shoot lots of cast boolits and light loads, the magnum has much shorter barrel life; albeit this one is better than any other...

These rifles also are factory fitted with a Near Mfg picatinny scope base which is as good as you can get.

There is an AZ located Hide Vendor that offers custom tuned FN-H rifles. They're also on gunbroker.com Lots of FN-H SPR & PBR rifles listed there and maybe also on gunsamerica.com

I would look for a used rifle in your price range and go for the SPR and call it good.

Really want to research that .300wsm before you opt for it. The .308win will do most everything you want. An FN-H SPR will likely last you a lifetime and deliver superb accuracy. It is a turnkey solution.
 
#4
Re: Build Vs Buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bignada</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FN-Herstal PBR and SPR rifles have a great reputation. Use the Win 70 controlled round feed and a match quality chrome-lined barrel, plus the SPR is factory equipped with several types of McMIllan tactical stocks.

I would buy .308win, but .300wsm is the other factory offered chambering; so that meets your goals.

The .308win is not greatly disadvantaged to a short-action magnum. Nice to have a rifle chambered for a round in current military inventory. Lots more brass and loaded ammunition produced for the .308; plus there are mil-surplus quality loads available. Barrel longevity is much superior with the .308 versus any magnum burning 60+ grains of powder. The FN-H SPR chrome-lined barrel should last well over 10K rounds. A .300wsm might keep yielding accuracy for 3K rounds, the chrome-lining is a big plus, but unless you plan to shoot lots of cast boolits and light loads, the magnum has much shorter barrel life; albeit this one is better than any other...

These rifles also are factory fitted with a Near Mfg picatinny scope base which is as good as you can get.

There is an AZ located Hide Vendor that offers custom tuned FN-H rifles. They're also on gunbroker.com Lots of FN-H SPR & PBR rifles listed there and maybe also on gunsamerica.com

I would look for a used rifle in your price range and go for the SPR and call it good.

Really want to research that .300wsm before you opt for it. The .308win will do most everything you want. An FN-H SPR will likely last you a lifetime and deliver superb accuracy. It is a turnkey solution. </div></div>

Thanks for the info. I will def look into this!
 
#5
Re: Build Vs Buy

Contact Greg @ bugholes.com, he sells.trued REM 700 actions new for around $675, great barrels for around $300. That puts you at $975. That leaves you with $325 for the smith work. You'll have a hammer of a rifle exactly the way you want it. Save up a couple hundred $$$, and get youself a H&S Precision stock here used on the hide with the bedding block and you got yourself a shooter just the way you want it.

JMTC
 
#8
Re: Build Vs Buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lessthanfour</div><div class="ubbcode-body">with that much just buy, customize later if you so desire. what do you mean green? </div></div>

By this I'll assume he means "new".

Also I'd be very tempted to simply buy and customize later, unless that's the budget just for the rifle then it would be possible to have one built. If you talking build it yourself then it would be possible, but not top of the line possible. Plus you can get very accurate rifles right out of the box or you can maybe keep an eye on the for sale section and snag a really good deal on a rifle that it ready to run! Good luck man
 
#9
Re: Build Vs Buy

Unless you are very experienced, and have specific reasons for choosing particular options and features, the chances are good that your needs will be well served with a factory rifle.

The Savage 11/111 Long Range Hunter is available with the 300WSM chambering, Accutrigger, Accustock, an adjustable (on/off) Savage muzzlebrake, and a Karsten adjustable cheekpiece. It weighs in at 8.4lb w/o optics/mounts, and has a factory list price of $1029. Most dealers can beat that price respectably.

If that won't serve your needs, that's OK; but it would work for me just fine.

Greg
 
#10
Re: Build Vs Buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TacticalJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lessthanfour</div><div class="ubbcode-body">with that much just buy, customize later if you so desire. what do you mean green? </div></div>

By this I'll assume he means "new".

Also I'd be very tempted to simply buy and customize later, unless that's the budget just for the rifle then it would be possible to have one built. If you talking build it yourself then it would be possible, but not top of the line possible. Plus you can get very accurate rifles right out of the box or you can maybe keep an eye on the for sale section and snag a really good deal on a rifle that it ready to run! Good luck man </div></div>

Yes Sorry I meant "new" to the rifle building world. I reload and have been very intrigued to try this out. Based on the feedback I think I would be better served to buy a factory rifle and as time and cash permit do some modifications. I really do appreciate everyone's feedback.

Now any suggestions on a great factory rifle. There are some already posted but the more the merrier!
grin.gif
As stated above I would use this rifle for hunting purposes. I have a Vortex Viper PST scope that would mount on this.
 
#12
Re: Build Vs Buy

As a newb, I built my own AR15 (upper and lower), and now working on a bolt gun. Half the fun for me is figuring everything out and learning (steep curve) about the platform. I'd not have it any other way.
 
#14
Re: Build Vs Buy

Well you can get the Howa m 1500 with b n c stock in .308 that shoots 1/2 min groups . And with the money you save u can get good glass and extras. I shoot mine out to 800 yards regular and get very good results. Shoots just as good if not better as savage and REM.
 
#17
Re: Build Vs Buy

i just recently completed building an AR.. like one of the earlier post, half the fun was piecing it together on thing at at time..it is time consuming and may or may not cost more..but when its all said and done, every part of that rifle is the way you want..that being said, the Remington 5r 308 is an awesome out of the box rifle.
 
#19
Re: Build Vs Buy

In looking at factory sticks with the 300WSM as your cartridge of choice you have a few options. For a "tactical" type stick you will probably be looking at an FNH to stay inside the $$$ box. Not a bad choice at all. Next is to look at Varmint type sticks, Winchester Coyote in 300 WSM comes to mind as I own one
wink.gif
. Remington offers a few but I'm not up to speed on them.

Going custom is going to bust your bank wide open and you may not end up w/ what your looking for.

Look at factory and save for the optic. When you can out shoot the factory gun you will have a pretty good idea what you need.

Cheers,

Doc
 
#20
Re: Build Vs Buy

One of my very good friends has a Winchester Coyote 300 WSM with very few rounds through it..maybe 200 that he's looking to sell. It has a new McMillan A3-5 stock on it as well. I'm not sure what he's looking to get for it but I'd bet it's right in your price range.

PM me if interested.
 
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