Help me build my rifle please!

[GhostFace]

After years of being a gas gun guy I am coming back to a bolt gun. I have the oppertunity to buy something close to what I want from two friends. Rifle A is a custum build close to what I what but not exactly for $1895. It has a #5 Shilen 1-10 barrel, spiral bolt and a Sako extractor. Built by the seller. Rifle B is cheaper as it is a VSSF dropped in a AI 1.5 stock and it shoots just as well as the other rifle. I know if I get either rifle I will not be 100% happy because it's not what I want so I am thinkig about building what I want but I need a little help.

What I want is a short action 700 in a AI 1.5 FDE stock, Harris swivel 6-9 bipod with pod lock, tactical bolt knob with a 20 inch 1-10 barrel. The guy with the with Rifle A can do all of the smithing work. I was really stuck on a Schnieder 5P barrel but their website has been down forever. I looked at a Rock barrel and can get one of his 5R for about $400. Krieger has a 5R for just under $300. I am not sure what route to go on the barrel. I just want a heavier profile then Shilens #5, their #6 profile is perfect for me. I am open on a mount and bolt knob, was thinking about Badger. Is there anything else I am missing? I am not going with a rear monopod because it cost too much for what it offers.

I will be getting a quote for the 1.5, extra mag bipod with pod lock from Tac Pro. If I can get what I want for around the same price as rifle A then it's a no brainer. The guy selling rifle A will do the smithing work for no charge so labor isn't a factor.


ETA help me with barrel, trigger choice, best prices on Rem 700 SA and what ever else. I don't know who has the best prices on these things...THANKS!

 

[11B-B4]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

Dont get the AI chassis... there are much better options out there now. That was cool for its time.

I have owned several AI chassis, 1.5s and 2.0's and also the Mcrees, this is better than both in my opinion.

I got the folder, im dropping my Gap templar in it in a couple weeks. Has all the features and is lighter weight than an AI as well.

http://www.kineticresearchgroup.com/products/w3c.php

 

[cox308]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 11B-B4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dont get the AI chassis... there are much better options out there now. That was cool for its time.

I have owned several AI chassis, 1.5s and 2.0's and also the Mcrees, this is better than both in my opinion.

I got the folder, im dropping my Gap templar in it in a couple weeks. Has all the features and is lighter weight than an AI as well.

http://www.kineticresearchgroup.com/products/w3c.php </div></div>

There are many people who will disagree with this entire statement. Including myself. Even on the net you can't find much people with complaints about their AICS's. IMHO still the most solid and the single best upgrade for most guns. Plus it proven. If you want something newer and more cutting edge go with the AICS AX chassi. Or AICS with Viperskin combo.

As for a barrel you could check out bughole's on this site. He stocks a couple different brands of barrels. They're all 5r and also cut riffling. Not pull button riffling.

 

[GhostFace]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

Well I am pretty much sold on the 1.5 stock, I don't think I need the 2.0 after all I am not jumping out of airplanes. Do you have a link for this Bughole guy?

 

[cox308]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

http://www.bugholes.com/

here's his website. you can also see his for sale postings in the commercial sale section

As for the AICS. There are many deals going around as people are getting rid of them to get the new AX chassi's. Another advantage of the folding stock is that you can remove your bolt with out having to remove the cheek rest.

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

Greg, AKA "bugholes" is good to go. I purchased a Brux 4 groove from him and couldn't be happier. Brux, Rock, Oby, or Bartlein will all be hair splitters.

This is a 100 yard group of five I shot with my Brux barrel

**2 rounds to the left are from bore sighting**

 

[Drake Associates]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

Have you considered one of the Strike Series Chassis for your custom build?

We are running a HOLIDAY Group Buy on this right now for the members of SNIPERSHIDE. Please let me know if this is something that you may be interested in.

Snipershide Special Group Buy HOLIDAY Promotion

 

[Whit]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

My advice is build what you want. You will not be happy with what you "settle" for. Then you will spend more money trying to change it to how you want it, or even buy the one you want too. Trust me I know I have done it.

 

[11B-B4]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cox380</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 11B-B4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dont get the AI chassis... there are much better options out there now. That was cool for its time.

I have owned several AI chassis, 1.5s and 2.0's and also the Mcrees, this is better than both in my opinion.

I got the folder, im dropping my Gap templar in it in a couple weeks. Has all the features and is lighter weight than an AI as well.

http://www.kineticresearchgroup.com/products/w3c.php </div></div>

There are many people who will disagree with this entire statement. Including myself. Even on the net you can't find much people with complaints about their AICS's. IMHO still the most solid and the single best upgrade for most guns. Plus it proven. If you want something newer and more cutting edge go with the AICS AX chassi. Or AICS with Viperskin combo.

As for a barrel you could check out bughole's on this site. He stocks a couple different brands of barrels. They're all 5r and also cut riffling. Not pull button riffling. </div></div>

If you read my statement i wasnt bashing AI, I was simply saying the AICS is an outdated product. There are in my opinion better options being produced. I have had several AI chassis... and AI weapon systems. The first one i owned was more than 10 years ago. I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. It was obviously an innovative product, there is no arguing that. And i'm still baffled at how well engineered the folding mechanism is on the 2.0 considering its age of design.

However... all that praise being said... it is outdated. Although die hard AICS fans would argue against that... its pretty much fact.

The major deterrent to me concerning the AICS is the large profile of it and the relatively heavy weight of the chassis as compared to other modern offerings. I like my rifle to be tactical, but at the same time I like the ability to run and gun. AI chassis are pretty heavy, and AX even got heavier (sad).

If you are a bench guy or you power through PT on a daily basis and dont mind rucking the extra weight go for it. But when you have a heavy pig of a rifle in your eberlestock pack and a carbine in your hands weight starts to be a concern. Thats how i feel anyway.

Again... AICS's are 10x better than alot of offerings out there. I just dont feel they are "The best" now considering all of the various chassis on the market now.

 

[11B-B4]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

However... if you are looking to mount up an NVD like a MUMS in the future... the AX is pretty much perfect.

 

[Jhnmdahl]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

Hard to call the AI AX chassis outdated when it's only been available for what, several months?

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jhnmdahl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hard to call the AI AX chassis outdated when it's only been available for what, several months? </div></div>

Prett sure he's referring to the AICS not the new AX chassis.

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

So, the end product is going to have an AI chassis, correct? And the Remington VSSF shoots good, right? Does it have everything else you want EXCEPT a trigger?

Seems to me that is the right answer there. If you have to rebarrel, there are a ton of great smiths on this site that will do that work for you.

Just my two bits.

Wally

 

[cox308]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 11B-B4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...If you read my statement i wasnt bashing AI...
</div></div>

I wasn't saying you were. I was just giving the OP another point of view.

 

[GhostFace]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ogreshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So, the end product is going to have an AI chassis, correct? And the Remington VSSF shoots good, right? Does it have everything else you want EXCEPT a trigger?


Wally </div></div>

The VSSF has a 26 inch barrel I believe and it is fluted. I want a 20 inch barrel and I want to be able to use my can and I don't think I could do that with the flutes. Can I? If so then I might buy it...

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

It won't look pretty, I don't think, but I can not see why you would have an issue cutting down and threading a fluted barrel and running a can.

One more question: What is the FINAL product going to be? Which of these rifles would get you there the best? Or do you know where this journey of a thousand yards (See what I did there?!) is going to go? Do you ultimately know what you want to end up with?

Just trying to help as much as possible. Thats all.

 

[GhostFace]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

The end product is going to be a 20 inch barrel threaded for the can. It will be a work rifle (L.E.) so going out to 1K will be more for shits and grins. I have shot the departments LTR out to 1K before in the cold using 168 TAP so I know this combo is doable maybe not preferred for that task.

Either of the two would work if I know for certain I could have the VSSF (its in an AI stock too) cut and threaded I will get that as it is about $400 cheaper than the other rifle and I know it shoots like a custom rifle. I was just not sure if it could be cut.....

 

[11B-B4]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GhostFace</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The end product is going to be a 20 inch barrel threaded for the can. It will be a work rifle (L.E.) so going out to 1K will be more for shits and grins. I have shot the departments LTR out to 1K before in the cold using 168 TAP so I know this combo is doable maybe not preferred for that task.

Either of the two would work if I know for certain I could have the VSSF (its in an AI stock too) cut and threaded I will get that as it is about $400 cheaper than the other rifle and I know it shoots like a custom rifle. I was just not sure if it could be cut..... </div></div>

What Can are you using?

 

[GhostFace]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

SAS stainless steel can.....

 

[JB02]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Drake Associates</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you considered one of the Strike Series Chassis for your custom build?

We are running a HOLIDAY Group Buy on this right now for the members of SNIPERSHIDE. Please let me know if this is something that you may be interested in.

Snipershide Special Group Buy HOLIDAY Promotion </div></div>

Hopefully I'll get to do that next xmas! Bad@55!

 

[rburgess]

Re: Help me build my rifle please!

Unless I missed it, you never said what caliber you're looking at. It sounds like a .308 win by the twist and barrel length. That's for my curiosity.

For a trigger, if you can get it in the budget, my favorite is x-treme shooting's mod 22. Its got a great range of adjustment and awesome 2 stage feel. Although, it's a little pricey at $300.

Second question, are you hoping to get the AICS in the $1900 budget? If so, you're slightly crippled with the barrel and action. The best bigger name action you can get at the lowest price is probably something from Barney lawton. His short rem700 duplicates are right at $900. Check the stiller actions on bugholes. They have the tac series stuff for around $900 as well.

If you can get a deal on the gunsmithing work, brownell's has remington actions from time to time that are factory. They run about $450, so just going and getting an sps is probably cheaper, then tear it apart. As far as gunsmithing a rem700, all out blue printing with a kiff bolt would be about $400-$500, which all but puts it on the level of a custom action. Although, at that point you're into it again at $900. You can go into it less with out redoing the raceway and no kiff bolt, probably bring it down quite a bit.

As for a barrel, its really like asking if you want the grape or cherry tootsie pop. Many of these companies put out quality work. Bugholes is great, I mean nothing wrong with a Brux or obermeyer. I like kreiger and Lilja personally, but its really up to you. Probably gonna be in that about $300. To chamber and assemble it'll be about $250 for most smiths.

All in all, $550(barrel and chamber/assemble) plus $700-$900(action) plus $850(AICS) = $2100-2300 and that's without a trigger. Like I said if your friend gives you a deal on smithing, you're sittin alot prettier than otherwise.

Biggest piece of advice: Get what you want, not what you can afford. If it costs a little more, just save and do it. I can't tell you how many times between cars and guns and just random projects that I've had to learn that lesson.

Happy Shooting
-Al

 

[GhostFace]

Funny how this turned out, I was just looking at old threads and came across this one. Both rifles sold before I could buy them and I had a few things come up shortly after. I ended up with a rock barrel from Bugholes, a PG 1.5 from Euro Optics and a long action rifle. For the life of me I couldn't find a short action so I ended up buying a slightly used 270, I think it was fired less than 20 as the bolt face showed very little signs of being fired. I had it built in '06 simply because I didn't want a barrel burner like a WM. I had the action blue printed buy a local smith and I am very happy. I did go with a slightly longer barrel, 22.5 inches in order to get a little extra oomph out of her. All in all I am happy with the way it turned out.thanks for your input fellas....