Building your next custom rifle on a budget?

[rdinak]

I have two nice .308 custom rifles. One from GAP and another built by Mike Bryant and APA. Meanwhile I have two sons in college and have the itch for another stick. Allow me to propose the specs and tell me how you solve the equation on a budget. I want a fast twist .243 for target and hunting with a Remington Varmint contour barrel.

Items in inventory-Remington 700 BDL in .22-250, six digit serial number, Badger 20 moa base and rings, Leupold 3.5x10 tactical scope, Williams bottom metal, and shilen trigger.

Have about a grand to play with. Which stock, barrel, gunsmith combo will provide the best bang for the buck?

All suggestions, ideas welcome. Not in a hurry for finished product..

How would you build the next rifle based on the guidelines above?

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: Building your next custom rifle on a budget?

Since your not in a hurry, keep your eye out for a good barrel, Broughton, Obermyer, Rock, Schneider, ect. cut riffled sells Rock barrels here from time to time in the $300 range. For the 243, I'd recommend a 26" 7.5-8 twist which works great for the 105s-115s, I currently run a Broughton 5C 7.5 twist in medium Palma contour, chambered in 243, only slightly heavier than a Rem varmint contour.

As far as stocks, it really comes down to user preference, McMillan and Manners are always a good choice, you may be able to pick up a good used stock for $400-500. We are getting close to the 1K mark, $200-300 left over and still need the barrel threaded and chambered and possible inletting/bedding the stock.

edit: You can pick up a HS Precision stock off of a 5R or PSS for around $250, which would fit your budget better, good stock for the $$.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Building your next custom rifle on a budget?

You've already got two custom 308s and want to build a 243WIN on a budget? How bout this....turn your existing rifles into switch-barrel rigs. What a waste of money and space to build so many rifles that are essentially the same when all you really need are different barrels. Pin your recoil lug, chamber up a 243WIN and drive on.