howdy all
Sorry for long post but trying to keep it all under one roof here for now.
I'm hoping to build two rifles that between them I think will cover all my needs and more, but could use some help.
(One will be a 6.5 Grendel AR, but that'll be down the road.)
Currently looking to build a custom bolt gun.
I've been hunting since 1982. Not new to the game but brand new to building custom guns, so currently a little overwhelmed.
Been hunting antelope, deer, and elk in CO since late '80's and have been lucky enough to be part of a very successful group of hunters, so I've processed many dozens of animals, nearly all of them brought down by the 300 WM.
Things I know I want for my custom:
-7mm Backcountry (compare the ballistics of the Fed P7BCTA3 to your fav hunting cartridge and lmk what you think is better
-60-75 bolt throw
-24" barrel, 1:7.5 twist, prob Bartlein #13, or similar? (likely with some level of fluting for some weight reduction) w/ suppressor
-lightweight stock with pref at least some adjustability
I've read a lot of trash-talk dismissing the 7BC as some unneeded new fangled marketing gimmick, but the ballistics and a few reviews suggest otherwise, so I think I want to give it a try. (I'm not a reloader (yet), but may get into it at some point...)
I also know the 7BC was designed for higher speeds from shorter barrels. I don't have a problem with long barrels and would not go shorter unless I thought it would improve accuracy.
The other big choice and something I'm really confused and unfamiliar with are the various BDL/DBM/AICS/AIAW configurations. I've only hunted with guns with a flush hinged bottom plate.. is this BDL?
Don't think I'd ever have a need for anything bigger than a 5 round mag. Think I might actually prefer a flush style action rather than using separate mags, but would be open to either.
I'm attracted to the ARC CDG action and watched his vid about his preference for the AIAW mag, but the only AW mag I can seem to find that I believe takes the 7BC is still a single stack designated as AICS/AW (Accuracy International 0479). My understanding is that the AW mags are slightly wider and feed a little better??
There's also the issue of this action needing a barrel with a conical breech. Could that be problematic considering the high pressure of the 7BC?
I've looked at a lot of reviews, forums, and websites... BAT, Borden Timberline, Surgeon 1086, Terminus Zeus, Kelbly, Cadex... and more, but am having a hard time trying to figure out what I might like without ever having seen or touched any of them.
I also looked at the Defiance Ruckus and like the customization options. I think I like the Hunter II configuration and hinged floorplate options, but again hard to say without ever having handled one.
Considering the high pressure of the 7BC and a few reports of sticky bolt lift (I think mostly with the Savage rifles?), I'm a little concerned about the shorter bolt throw, so maybe the 60's would be less than ideal? Think the 70-75's would be a good compromise?
Things that matter to me but are of secondary concern: recoil, weight, cost.
As to recoil, been hunting with a 300 Win Mag/180gr... I do need to be careful of flinching, but I've worked pretty hard at it and hunt at reasonable distances when possible. Hoping this new build will have noticeably lower felt recoil.
I live at 9000' and exercise regularly and am pretty fit for my age. I've packed a lot of weight at altitude so I do know of what I speak. I'll carry the extra weight if it has a benefit, but also don't want extra weight that doesn't make the gun better... if that makes sense.
If I can build this thing right, it may end up being my last, one and done gun so willing to put some money into it.
Lots of considerations for stocks/chassis as well but I need to go see some stuff in person to try to narrow this down.
Open to any and all advice, thanks very much!!!
Sorry for long post but trying to keep it all under one roof here for now.
I'm hoping to build two rifles that between them I think will cover all my needs and more, but could use some help.
(One will be a 6.5 Grendel AR, but that'll be down the road.)
Currently looking to build a custom bolt gun.
I've been hunting since 1982. Not new to the game but brand new to building custom guns, so currently a little overwhelmed.
Been hunting antelope, deer, and elk in CO since late '80's and have been lucky enough to be part of a very successful group of hunters, so I've processed many dozens of animals, nearly all of them brought down by the 300 WM.
Things I know I want for my custom:
-7mm Backcountry (compare the ballistics of the Fed P7BCTA3 to your fav hunting cartridge and lmk what you think is better
-60-75 bolt throw
-24" barrel, 1:7.5 twist, prob Bartlein #13, or similar? (likely with some level of fluting for some weight reduction) w/ suppressor
-lightweight stock with pref at least some adjustability
I've read a lot of trash-talk dismissing the 7BC as some unneeded new fangled marketing gimmick, but the ballistics and a few reviews suggest otherwise, so I think I want to give it a try. (I'm not a reloader (yet), but may get into it at some point...)
I also know the 7BC was designed for higher speeds from shorter barrels. I don't have a problem with long barrels and would not go shorter unless I thought it would improve accuracy.
The other big choice and something I'm really confused and unfamiliar with are the various BDL/DBM/AICS/AIAW configurations. I've only hunted with guns with a flush hinged bottom plate.. is this BDL?
Don't think I'd ever have a need for anything bigger than a 5 round mag. Think I might actually prefer a flush style action rather than using separate mags, but would be open to either.
I'm attracted to the ARC CDG action and watched his vid about his preference for the AIAW mag, but the only AW mag I can seem to find that I believe takes the 7BC is still a single stack designated as AICS/AW (Accuracy International 0479). My understanding is that the AW mags are slightly wider and feed a little better??
There's also the issue of this action needing a barrel with a conical breech. Could that be problematic considering the high pressure of the 7BC?
I've looked at a lot of reviews, forums, and websites... BAT, Borden Timberline, Surgeon 1086, Terminus Zeus, Kelbly, Cadex... and more, but am having a hard time trying to figure out what I might like without ever having seen or touched any of them.
I also looked at the Defiance Ruckus and like the customization options. I think I like the Hunter II configuration and hinged floorplate options, but again hard to say without ever having handled one.
Considering the high pressure of the 7BC and a few reports of sticky bolt lift (I think mostly with the Savage rifles?), I'm a little concerned about the shorter bolt throw, so maybe the 60's would be less than ideal? Think the 70-75's would be a good compromise?
Things that matter to me but are of secondary concern: recoil, weight, cost.
As to recoil, been hunting with a 300 Win Mag/180gr... I do need to be careful of flinching, but I've worked pretty hard at it and hunt at reasonable distances when possible. Hoping this new build will have noticeably lower felt recoil.
I live at 9000' and exercise regularly and am pretty fit for my age. I've packed a lot of weight at altitude so I do know of what I speak. I'll carry the extra weight if it has a benefit, but also don't want extra weight that doesn't make the gun better... if that makes sense.
If I can build this thing right, it may end up being my last, one and done gun so willing to put some money into it.
Lots of considerations for stocks/chassis as well but I need to go see some stuff in person to try to narrow this down.
Open to any and all advice, thanks very much!!!
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