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Few questions for building a precision rifle.

S

sable

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 3, 2010
261
0
33
Texas
#1
I am going to start a build of a precision rifle soon and i have a few questions.

I plan on starting with a remington model 700 in .308 as my base and upgrading a few things from there. which type of model 700 shoudld i start with? how should i get it trued?

which stock would you guys recommend? the A5 from McMillan looks nice, would that be a good choice? how should i get the gun put in the new stock? how can a detachable magazine be added?

also i need a recommendation for a good barrel and trigger too.

any help would be so much appreciated. im new to this rifle building.
 
#2
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

What are you looking at upgrading first? I would look at Manners stocks also. Yes detachable mag bottom metal can be added (different inlet). There are a lot of good barrels out there. Bartlein, Rock, Schneider etc.
 
#3
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

I want to do the stock and barrel at the same time, then get a good scope and trigger job.

How should I have the barrel and stock installed? By a gunsmith? Can a gunsmith true the gun after the new parts are added?
 
#4
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

Tyler,

If you are going to want the action "trued"...you do that before the new barrel is installed not after. IMHO trigger work is the best bang for the buck on adding to the accuracy potential of your rifle. Money well spent.
 
#5
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

Why spend money on something you arent quite sure you will like or want to continue doing? My advice would be get a Rem 700 308, wether it be a 5R or SPS or SPS Tac, shoot the piss out of it and then look into customs. The only thing you actually sound capable of is mounting a scope, dont take that as a slam, but if you are dead set on building a custom, call up WNRoscoe or RD Precision and talk with them for a while, buy a 700 action and send it to them and let them work their magic. But i still think you should buy a bare bones gun, put the best glass you can afford on it and shoot the ever living shit out of it.
 
#6
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

http://www.remingtonle.com/rifles/700p.htm

Start there...and just shoot the thing as is.
Once you get better, THEN, and only then, start putting the tweaks to it.

It comes with a HS precision stock, a nice 26" heavy barrel, is bedded, and shoots pretty damn good right out of the box.
I have a buddy that has one in 7mm mag (which was a pretty unusual chambering for that model) and it was a tack driver stock, some tweaks and it shoots 3/8" groups all day long.
 
#7
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

Why do you assume I'm not a good shot just because I don't know much about building a rifle?

I shoot often, I've just never actually built a gun or had one built. I've shot a model 700 before and I'm not a kid that thinks I want to be a sniper right now and the fad is gonna wear off after a while and I'm gonna be dissapointed with my useless and expensive toy I thought I wanted.
 
#8
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

I don't assume anything.

That rifle out of the box will outshoot 98% of shooters out there.
With the inexperienced questions you asked I'd think it would be safe to say it will outshoot you.

Why spend all the money it takes to make a 1/4" rifle if you are only capable of shooting 1" groups ?

I get asked all the time to modify rifles, my first question is always "have you shot it yet ?" if applicable the second is "how does it group ?".

Not one *shooter* will take a rifle out on a critical mission that he/she is not fully comfortable with....meaning has fired hundreds if not thousands of rounds thru and is VERY familiar and comfortble with.
 
#9
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

Tyler,
If you assume that my post was something of an insult then you wont last long here. I was merely stating my opinion. But then again, unless you have a mill, lathe, and all the fixtures and such to do the "truing" you would be best just to buy a Rem 700 Action, box it up and send it to one of the smiths that come recommended on this board. Tell them what stock you want, how long a barrel, and what caliber you want, and then ask them to tell you a final amount. That would be best for you. But i still believe you should buy a bone stock factory 700 and shoot the piss out of it.
 
#10
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

I didn't take it as an insult at all.

I didn't say anything about shooting a 700 so I was filling everyone in that I have shot the gun a lot and am sure I like it.

Where can I buy a 700 action alone?
 
#12
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

Your best bet for finding a 700 action would either be in the For Sale section on this site, or check your local pawn shops or your local Dicks Sporting goods, all you will need is the action. i would try and get a 243,7mm08, or 308 because you will have a good amount of versatile cartridges availible with the .473 bolt face. I would also get the cheapest 700 model in this that you can find, because you will only use the action, sell the barrel, stock, and whatever else you wont use off the "donor" gun and recoup some of your costs
 
#13
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

id like to get it in .308.

so all model 700 actions are the same? i mean in terms of accuracy, quality, etc?
 
#14
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=42823/pid=32498/sku/Standard_700_Short_Action_Receiver Have this trued and a nice custom barrel and you will be at a good start. As many will say spend about the same amount on good glass as your rifle. If you don't want to mess with an extra $250-$450 plus having to have someone inlet your stock add on shipping and labor costs. Also having a McMillan or Manners bedded. A McRee's Precision is a good option.
ADT.
 
#18
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why spend money on something you arent quite sure you will like or want to continue doing? My advice would be get a Rem 700 308, wether it be a 5R or SPS or SPS Tac, shoot the piss out of it and then look into customs. The only thing you actually sound capable of is mounting a scope, dont take that as a slam, but if you are dead set on building a custom, call up WNRoscoe or RD Precision and talk with them for a while, buy a 700 action and send it to them and let them work their magic. But i still think you should buy a bare bones gun, put the best glass you can afford on it and shoot the ever living shit out of it. </div></div>

I asked the same question when I first joined, and somebody else gave me the same exact advice, so a BIG +1

Rem 700 in 308, cheap as possible with HSP stock
TAB, TIS, or Turner sling
Harris 6-9 swivel with notched legs and a PodLock
TAB, or RedMan rear bag
Badger 20moa base, Badger ring hieght will depend on scope
SS 10x scope is money is an issue, if not a NSX 3.5-15x50 MLR MilRad knobs
Impact Data book
and last but not least an assload of Blackhills 175's

Shoot the ever living piss out of this combo and learn the Jedi way from Online Training, as time goes by you'll get an understanding of what is really needed and you can save up for, its addicting, its fun, and most of all it will make you a patient person.
 
#19
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why spend money on something you arent quite sure you will like or want to continue doing? My advice would be get a Rem 700 308, wether it be a 5R or SPS or SPS Tac, shoot the piss out of it and then look into customs. The only thing you actually sound capable of is mounting a scope, dont take that as a slam, but if you are dead set on building a custom, call up WNRoscoe or RD Precision and talk with them for a while, buy a 700 action and send it to them and let them work their magic. But i still think you should buy a bare bones gun, put the best glass you can afford on it and shoot the ever living shit out of it. </div></div>

I asked the same question when I first joined, and somebody else gave me the same exact advice, so a BIG +1

Rem 700 in 308, cheap as possible with HSP stock
TAB, TIS, or Turner sling
Harris 6-9 swivel with notched legs and a PodLock
TAB, or RedMan rear bag
Badger 20moa base, Badger ring hieght will depend on scope
SS 10x scope is money is an issue, if not a NSX 3.5-15x50 MLR MilRad knobs
Impact Data book
and last but not least an assload of Blackhills 175's

Shoot the ever living piss out of this combo and learn the Jedi way from Online Training, as time goes by you'll get an understanding of what is really needed and you can save up for, its addicting, its fun, and most of all it will make you a patient person.


</div></div>

+1

To the OP,
Now I don't have to assume anything based on the knowledge you have towards what you might want in a custom precision rifle. Clearly you do not know enough "yet" to pick every pieces of parts to build that rifle you will stick with for long.

Honest opinion, sincere advise, most likely you will build something with limited knowledge now and later regraded, wanting to change out many things. Not saying you can't have a custom rifle now, just make sure you read more here about action, stock, bedding, barrel, trigger, etc., so you can make a wise choice and not waste $$.

 
#20
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

You have your priority list backwards there bud
smile.gif
So what is you budget for just the rifle alone? That will help us help point you in the correct direction for what you need in order to make your build work properly. In addition to that I think you be surprised at well factory Remington 700s and Savages shoot. I have seen factory rifles from these two companies shoot 1/2-3/4 inch groups at 100 yards fairly consistently.

Personly if I was set on a M700 action I would buy a decent factory gun, an LTR, Police, 5R etc... Put the best glass and rings I could on it, something like a Nightforce, Zeiss, US Optics or S&B. After that my upgrades would be the trigger, the stock, DBM then the barrel last unless the gun won't shoot.

One last note. When going for custom anything it is never cheap and it usually costs twice what you think it will. If you want to go the custom build route then don't bother with the M700, there are much better actions to build off of. I'm not knocking the M700 but it lacks the features I know I would like in a custom built gun.

Goodluck with your build and I hope it goes well, keep your ears open, ask questions and learn that the harsh opinions aren't really that harsh. They're opinions that are grounded in fact spoken by people with more experience than most people will ever have. Alot of the guys here have forgotten more about guns than you can learn in 20 years. Take care.
 
#21
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

By the way for the parts you wanted:
Barrel: Any of the ones commonly found here on the Hide will do

Stock: McMillian (the thumbhole one Terry Cross sells), Manners T4A, McRee Precision, AICS ---- any of those will work. No one can tell you what stock will fit you, you have to sit behind each stock and figure out what fits 'right'.

Trigger: Rifle Basix, Shilen, Jewell, Tubbs, Huber... It's a long ass list

Rings/Bases: Badger, Seekins or US Optics will work. There is also Near Mfg and Nightforce.
 
#22
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

I'm gonna start off with a stock model 700 with the glass on it that ill end up using on my custom rifle later

This means I'm going to buy the very nicest scope possible the first time. Then shoot a lot and practice with the rifle until I know what I'm looking for in my custom rifle later on. The glass won't need to be improved so the improvements I will want will be in the rifle itself, after I read a lot about different parts and practice and know what I want in a custom

Sound like the proper approach?
 
#24
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tyler Moore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm gonna start off with a stock model 700 with the glass on it that ill end up using on my custom rifle later

This means I'm going to buy the very nicest scope possible the first time. Then shoot a lot and practice with the rifle until I know what I'm looking for in my custom rifle later on. The glass won't need to be improved so the improvements I will want will be in the rifle itself, after I read a lot about different parts and practice and know what I want in a custom

Sound like the proper approach? </div></div>

Yessir, see your coming around
wink.gif
but in all honesty. Get the absolute best glass you can afford to put on that rifle. Get a couple cases of BH 175 Match and shoot the piss out of it. If you are setup to reload, might look into that, if your not. Id buy ammo first then get setup to reload as time rolls on.
 
#25
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

I'm really not sure about the glass I'm going to end up with. I'm gonna read a lot of reviews and stuff.

For the long range shooting I want to be doing, what kind of scope should I be looking at anyways? Not just brand but type too
 
#28
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

Budget budget budget! Get matching turrets and reticles. By that I mean if you have a mildot then get turrets that adjust in mils. Samething if you get an MOA reticle. Pick what reticle you want then put matching turrets on it. I prefer simple, uncluttered reticles. A mildot is all the lines and dashes I can handle. Get either a fixed 10 power or something around the 4-16x magnification range if that's what you feel you need. Personally a 10 power is perfect out to 1k. I have a 4-16x and at 16 power I find that my heartbeat moves the POA when I'm shooting in just a tshirt. Decide what you need first, then add on what you want.
 
#29
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

You have come a long way since your original post. Now go up to the "Getting Started in LR Shooting" sticky and go the the FAQ links. Read most if not all, but start with these three:

PRACTICAL LONG-RANGE RIFLE SHOOTING - PART I: THE RIFLE & GEAR
http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-equipment/

PRACTICAL LONG-RANGE RIFLE SHOOTING - PART II: OPTICS
http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-optics/

PRACTICAL LONG-RANGE RIFLE SHOOTING - PART III: SHOOTING
http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-shooting/

Study, study, study. Then buy. Buy glass first. You can put almost any rifle under really good glass and get good results.
 
#30
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tyler Moore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the glass, probably about a grand </div></div>

Keep an eye out for a USO ST-10. You can definitely snag that for about a grand and it's excellent glass. You don't need anything over 15x magnification for a 308, IMO, unless you're shooting benchrest.

You're getting some excellent advice on this thread, keep it up. Depending on where you are, see if you can go to a competition close by and check out stocks, actions, triggers, etc so you can get a solid frame of reference for future endeavors. There's very few people that get into this point, build one rifle, and walk away satisfied. One rifle, leads to the next, which leads to the next. Welcome to the addiction.
 
#31
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

A .308 winchester is a very versatile cartridge, but the short-action receiver does limit bullet choice when loading heavy or Very Low Drag design bullets.

Long Action 700 enables greater bullet seating flexibilities, and enables options. Can use same receiver for switchbarrel rifle with a variety of barrels, and also with magnum rounds if buy PTG or factory 700 magnum bolt body.

Probably not necessary to have action "trued". Most critical detail pertinent to accuracy and precision is chamber and throat. You want a minimum oal chamber and barrel throated for bullet you are most likely to shoot. That is why the Clymer match reamer for .308win is denoted for 168gr Sierra machking... Probably want a 20 to 22" barrel for utmost precision, but you'll need 28" if 1000 yd capability is your goal.

The .30-06 or .30/284 is a superior choice if 1000yds is your goal. These are long-action ctgs of choice for heavy longrange bullets, unless you want to go magnum. .30/338 or .300win or 7mm rem are good choices there. If looking for primarily target round, the 6.5x55 or .280rem are probably better choices for the up to 1000yd venue.

Think if I was determined to go short-action for 1000yd, I would go 6mmXC with fast twist (1:7.5) barrel throated for the 115/120gr bullets.

If I didn't have M1a and AR-10 rifles, I wouldn't use .308win for anything....
 
#34
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bignada</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A .308 winchester is a very versatile cartridge, but the short-action receiver does limit bullet choice when loading heavy or Very Low Drag design bullets.

Long Action 700 enables greater bullet seating flexibilities, and enables options. Can use same receiver for switchbarrel rifle with a variety of barrels, and also with magnum rounds if buy PTG or factory 700 magnum bolt body.

Probably not necessary to have action "trued". Most critical detail pertinent to accuracy and precision is chamber and throat. You want a minimum oal chamber and barrel throated for bullet you are most likely to shoot. That is why the Clymer match reamer for .308win is denoted for 168gr Sierra machking... Probably want a 20 to 22" barrel for utmost precision, but you'll need 28" if 1000 yd capability is your goal.

<span style="text-decoration: line-through">The .30-06 or .30/284 is a superior choice if 1000yds is your goal. These are long-action ctgs of choice for heavy longrange bullets, unless you want to go magnum. .30/338 or .300win or 7mm rem are good choices there. If looking for primarily target round, the 6.5x55 or .280rem are probably better choices for the up to 1000yd venue.</span>
<span style="text-decoration: line-through">Think if I was determined to go short-action for 1000yd, I would go 6mmXC with fast twist (1:7.5) barrel throated for the 115/120gr bullets.</span>
If I didn't have M1a and AR-10 rifles, I wouldn't use .308win for anything.... </div></div>

First off you dont need a 28" barrel in 308 to get to 1K, plenty have done it with 18" barrels, secondly the way you make it sound you are trying to hot rod a 308 into 260 performance, right tool for the job comes to mind here. Secondly, if you chamber and throat are absolutely perfect (God did it himself) and your action isnt square, your barrel shoulder and action face arent gonna sit perfectly straight thereby throwing your chamber crooked. If he wants to shoot to 1K, the 168 SMK is absolutely the worlds worst choice for that. In my reasoning you have done nothing to help the OP other than give some less than helpful information. To the OP, a data book would be good to get. I would suggest one from Nomad here in the Hide (Impact Data Books)

Going back and looking at the quote, a Long Action is overkill in 308, you can get away running 155-208 grain bullets in a Short Action. A switchbarrel rifle on a Rem 700 would require a bit more work, pinning the lug and most switch barrel rifles are good in theory but not so much in practicality. I would stick with a 308 with the barrel anywhere between 18-22 inches.

Tyler if you can afford better glass right now, id reccomend the Night Force 3.5-15x50 or 56 your choice of knobs and reticle. Then save up a litttle more and get the rifle, that way you have really good glass to start out with.
 
#36
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

Tyler,
If i were in your shoes i would do this.

Buy the absolute nicest glass i could afford now. Then save up a little bit more money and get the Remington 700 Police or 5R. Then shoot the piss out of it for a while, and you will come to realize what you want and dont want in a custom build. But yes you will be able to keep whatever glass you buy on a custom down the road
 
#38
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

If you do, i would keep your eyes peeled on the Optics and Accessories for sale section here. There are some good deals from time to time on Nightforces and USO's
 
#40
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

Whatever you do, get a scope in the first focal plane. I think it will really help you in the long run. You won't have to map out the scope at various magnifications, and you can focus on learning your dopes and really honing your ability to drive the rig you're shooting. There's a good number of FFP scopes out there, and Nightforce is making a really nice one. Great glass can't be beat.
 
#42
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.

While FFP is great, its not necassary. You will be well served with a NXS that was linked up above. PM me if i can be of anymore help
 
#43
Re: Few questions for building a precision rifle.


can i put a sun shade on that scope?

well this is great. i have plenty of info and links, and i think i can read enough on this site to make an informed decision. this site is great and the responses are quick

im going to start with an awesome set of glass, then get a rifle to use with it. then learn what it is i want to improve on for my next rifle, which will be in the far future after i shoot plenty of bullets and save some cash. hopefully it will a custom with all the things i want.

 
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