Light weight/Long range hunting build - which direction would you go?

[kshea]

Alright everyone, curious your thoughts. I recently built my first lightweight 'semi custom' rifle to use in the mountains up here in AK - bought a new Tikka T3x in 300 WM, pulled off the barrel and replaced it with a proof pre fit in 7MM PRC, dropped it in an AG Composite Alpine Hunter stock, had a gunsmith bed it, upgraded the bottom metal, etc. Looks good and all, but unfortunately doesn't shoot quite as well as I'd hoped (could be a dud of a barrel or what not for sure). The Tikka bolt has also had galling issues on the cocking ramp, which is going to add to the gunsmithing cost to fix as well.

What I've learned is that it doesn't take long for a 'budget' build to start creeping up toward the cost of a true custom set up that shoots great out of the gate lol. Especially when the 'budget' build requires a bunch of gunsmithing costs, potentially a second barrel, more load dev. to fight through, to reach its potential (if at all).

So, I'm curious what everyone else has had success with in their builds? Premium actions with pre-fit barrels, premium actions with premium barrel blank and chambered by a GS, maybe something in between like the barreled actions starting to be offered by companies like Bergara? Full custom rifles setups already built for sale? Which direction would y'all go? For context, a light weight rifle to pack in the mountains that reliably shoots sub MOA is what I would be stoked on. My current build has been struggling to achieve that consistently unfortunately. Thanks for weighing in!

 

[Supersubes]

While I understand your feelings about the current build, its a fluke, and there’s zero reason why that shouldn’t meet your weight and accuracy expectations.

How is it shooting exactly, and with what ammo? Have you called proof, they take back non-shooting barrels from time to time. Goes without saying, but check every detail end to end.

Ive put together two customer 7 PRC’s using Proof prefits, I just delivered the second one two weeks ago. Both shot fantastic with factory hornady precision hunter, and the owners are super happy.

 

[4O6shootist]

Are you shooting factory ammo? What's the barrel length? Is it holding moa for 5 shot groups? What are your expectations? What is your shooting ability?

I can regularly print small groups with pretty much all my 65s on down, consisting of lighter weight short mags, to 6mm heavy match style rifles. I swap over to my 11# suppressed 300 norma improved, my small groups aren't near as consistent. The rifle is capable of it as I can put it into a heavy chassis and it's a lot more consistent. I shoot prob 2-3k rounds a year, so quite a bit. I know I don't drive a light weight heavy recoil cartridge nearly as well as something more managble.

My point, is a guy needs to look in the mirror and ask himself and answer honestly, am I the biggest problem here, or is it the gun? At that point, if you're doing your part, start digging into the rifle.

I've had some prefit barrels that shot very well, as well as my hand fit, smith cut barrels on high end actions in bedded quality stocks/chassis. I've had a few prefits that were not great, but with handloads could still shoot at or slightly under moa. I've had couple barrels that were from high end brands, dialed into 0.0001 or less runout, with perfect chambers they could not get to consistent sub half moa with many component combos tested. Sometimes you get a bum barrel, it happens.

 

[Chickentoast]

Echo the guys above - I would add, experiment with some different holds - sand bag in front and rear squeeze bag at least, go from almost no pressure in the shoulder all the way up to holding it really tightly in the pocket, a few shots with each amount of pressure. If the ammo is good to go and that doesn't get you where you want, I'd probably call Proof and see about my options.

 

[TheJeanyus]

If it's not shooting under 1 MOA even after trying multiple types of ammo and going over every screw on the rifle (action screws, scope base, scope rings/mount, etc.) reach out to Proof. I had some issues with my Tikka with a Proof carbon prefit initially. It was shooting 1.5-2 MOA and stringing shots vertically with multiple types of ammo. I loosened and retorqued every fastener multiple times. I tried a different scope. Nothing seemed to help. Proof asked me to send the barrel back. They shot 3 different loads in it, and it all shot fine (3/4 MOA or less for 10 shots). While the barrel was away I found the issue (plastic washer on the action screw was crushed and crumbling apart). I felt like an idiot admitting to them that I just overlooked the washer when I was checking over everything before pulling the barrel. I replaced the action screw and the washer (stainless instead of plastic while I was at it), and it shoots around .5-.6 MOA consistently for 5 shots. I think the worst group I've gotten out of it was closer to 3/4 MOA. Anyway, I say all of that to say that Proof was completely cool about the whole thing and more than willing to help me figure it out.