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New Build Critique

K

komifornian

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 12, 2011
419
8
55
Peoples Republic of Kalifornia
#1
I'm starting a new precision rifle build and would like to know if anyone here has any suggestions that you think I should consider.

I'll be using the rifle for primarily target/plate shooting out to 800 meters. Most of the time I won't be shooting from a bench but in the desert or BLM land in various positions. The optics are already here as well as the rings and base so please don't consider this.

Custom Rifle Build:

1) Action - Remington 700 short in 308 $369
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=78512/pid=32498/Product/Magnum_700_SA_Receiver__Blued
2) Recoil Lug – Holland $33
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=6911/Product/RECOIL_LUGS

3) Jewell Trigger $233
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27104/Product/REMINGTON_700_40X___WIN_M70_RIFLE_TRIGGERS

4) Stock – Accuracy international system $1,085 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=614345

5) Barrel and Gunsmithing - Krieger
http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/
• Barrel 26” SS $295
• Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor $270
• Level 2 accuracy package $175
• Flute the barrel $125

6) Bolt fluting $75
7) Tactical Bolt Knob $85
8) Black Cerakote gun $250
http://www.kampfeldcustom.com

Total Cost- $2,995
 
#2
Re: New Build Critique

Personally I would skip the barrel flutes, skip the bolt flutes, and skip cerakote and krylon that sucker or durcoat it yourself.

Take the $450 you just saved and buy ammo or reloading supplies.

And I personally HATED the Jewell triggers I have tried tried. Get a factory tuned or Shilen and save another $100 or so.
 
#4
Re: New Build Critique

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 5Redman8</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally I would skip the barrel flutes, skip the bolt flutes, and skip cerakote and krylon that sucker or durcoat it yourself.

Take the $450 you just saved and buy ammo or reloading supplies.

And I personally HATED the Jewell triggers I have tried tried. Get a factory tuned or Shilen and save another $100 or so.</div></div>

I agree with this, but dont forget you need no less than 6 feet of rail on your rifle to attach things, snipery things, to.
 
#5
Re: New Build Critique

+100 on the jewell. It is good to go.

Screw Brownell's...on the Jewell. Get it from greatscottshooters.com, he's $205 shipped. Typical brownells too expensive.

Whatever you want don't skimp on it. You'll have to look at it for awhile and keep kicking yourself cause you were cheap.

If you reload, skip the creed and go .260Rem and never look back.
 
#6
Re: New Build Critique

Funny! I was involved in a very long thread yesterday because I was trying to decide between the 260 or the CM round. The consensus was CM but I was originally leaning towards 260; All of this so confusing. I reload but I also would like, if I have to, be able to buy match grade factory ammo. This is why I finally decided on CM...Argggg
 
#8
Re: New Build Critique

I'd send all those parts to William Roscoe and let him do up your build. He'll handle that 700 action right. I'd also have the AI bedded. Yes I know they say they don't have to be bedded. But IMO, everything needed to be bedded. Those things are not a custom fit....more like mass produced. You get it.
 
#11
Re: New Build Critique

I agree thanks for the tip!

On that note, if anyone has any other tips to save $$ on any of the other aspects of this build feel free to contribute. :)

By the way this rifle will take roughly 7 months to build. Is this normal?

If this is indeed so, I need to change professions! Apparently most of the folks I've spoken with are at least six months behind! This is what I call a "high class" problem. More work than I can handle is what most everyone dream about..
 
#12
Re: New Build Critique

You can save on the AICS chassis by buying a new or slightly used in the classifieds here. Recently there was a AICS 2.0 that sold for $500 and the purchaser turned around and sold it days later for $875, still a good deal. I have several of them from there, my best deal was a 2.0 LA for $600. Rings and bases are often found there at reduced prices.
 
#13
Re: New Build Critique

I would do away with the flutes as well and save a little bit of money. Otherwise build sounds like a solid shooter in the making, that's for sure. 6.5 CM sounds like a good choice as well, i'm knee deep into a M24 build now, but the CM would be my next.
 
#14
Re: New Build Critique

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 5Redman8</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally I would skip the barrel flutes, skip the bolt flutes, and skip cerakote and krylon that sucker or durcoat it yourself.

Take the $450 you just saved and buy ammo or reloading supplies.

And I personally HATED the Jewell triggers I have tried tried. Get a factory tuned or Shilen and save another $100 or so. </div></div>

+1. Ive always felt if the fluting isnt perfect, you might risk some accuracy if your a believer in harmonics
 
#16
Re: New Build Critique

Oh shit, here we go again........
eek.gif


Save your $. IMO flutes will reduce weight and possibly aid in cooling. That's it. I have fluted barrels and will probably still get fluted barrels in the future, only because I like the look of flutes.
 
#17
Re: New Build Critique

If you are going to be shooting in the woods and dales, get the Shilen competition. Jewell is too delicate. I have a Jewell and love it for a bench gun, but not for a knockabout.

david
 
#18
Re: New Build Critique

Have you looked into any other stock options? As for the trigger i would recommend a timney, $110.99 on midway. Not sure on how to do a link but its product number 220642. You could also try the KRG bolt lift instead of a bolt knob. But you have to be happy with what you choose.
 
#19
Re: New Build Critique

as far as saving $, call the hide dealers before purchasing big ticket items from box stores. Not knocking midway at all, but there are alot of GOOD dealers here that support the 'hide and will do you right on getting you shooting.

Just my .02, YMMV

Oh yeah, I run a Rifle Basix trigger. I love mine but they are not everyone's cup of tea. Wide Trigger shoe.
 
#22
Re: New Build Critique

I too have heard that the Jewell is a bit picky under less then ideal conditions. I had actually not heard of fluted barrels before. So I did the google dance and then the subsequent reading and it seems it is more a matter of aesthetics then anything.

Overall though your build looks pretty nice. Sorry it is going to take so long. I am way too impatient myself!
 
#24
Re: New Build Critique

komifornian,

You're on the right track with your build. But don't bother with a CM. Just get the 260 and get the job done. It's just easier to find brass (now even Lapua brass is available!!). Also, ignore the people here who bash Jewell triggers. Trust me, you will love the Jewell! I have been shooting for over 20 years and have never used a trigger as good as a Jewell. Hands down it is superior to anything else. I use one on my 260 Rem.

Cancel the flutes, as previously suggested. Just a waste of money. Save that cash and invest in some good Redding Competition Series dies, maybe a Sinclair concentricity gauge, etc.

Beyond that, I think you've given this a lot of thought and done your homework. Make a final list and order away. Be sure to give us a full range report when you can!

All the best.

Jason
 
#25
Re: New Build Critique

+1 on the Shilen trigger, I have a standard one tuned to 1.5lbs and it is nicer than any Jewell I have tried at similar pull weight. For that kind of money I would spend the extra and go with a TRG, or an AI AE personally.
 
#30
Re: New Build Critique

I built a similar 6.5 in February. It is a tac driver. Seems like once you get into the custom thing the dollars add up quick. But there is a lot of satisfaction going this route. Here were my specs:

22" PacNor 260 Rem 260
Thread and chamber 200
Receiver Buckhorn 995
Rail 75
Jewell 225
ship/handling 15
used aics 1.5 660
ffl transfer 20

$2450

And here is a picker:
photo-14.jpg


Good luck!
 
#31
Re: New Build Critique

Had a Jewell, never failed on me or gunked up like they do for a lot of people. The shoe was not my taste so got my original rem trigger tuned and love it. 2 lbs. crisp and don't fail as easy as a jewell. Like Mike said if your all for making your own rifle go with parting it together yourself. If your going to be spending near 3k I'd go with a Sako, GAP, AIAE (or other variations) or look into Les Baer. All are reputable dealers and have heard many things from then. I myself don't have 3k to drop on a rifle like others so I'm building from the ground up with a rem 700.
 
#32
Re: New Build Critique

I just finished the custom components route and my journey lasted 7 months with several painful pitfalls before happiness prevailed. My recommendation: Go to a reputable rifle builder and put him in charge of your project, and tell him what you want. Then there's one person responsible for making sure things all work together under all circumstances. I will not go into details of my story here, as some may figure out what and who, and I don't want to start anything now. If you have a morbid curiosity PM me.

This approach will likely cost more in the beginning, but less in the end, and you will receive a rifle you can count on. Trust me. In this neck of the woods, Mike Bush of Underground Skunkworks is the man. He was the one who stepped up and helped out. But there's many out there - some with longer lead times, some shorter.
 
#33
Re: New Build Critique

-I would also go 260.
-And look at the Huber trigger. I prefer a 2-stage and it is amazing. There was a group buy and he still might honor the deal. Might.
-If your smith is local, dont bed the AICS, shoot it. If the rifle groups better than you, you save a couple hundred. If you think it could be better, send it back.
-Go with a 24" Med Palma barrel. That will do everything you want/can do, at a reasonable weight. If you are only going to be shooting at a max range of 800m, I would even go with a 20" barrel, which will still yield reasonable velocities.

YMMV,
DT
 
#34
Re: New Build Critique

i know this is crazy but i to would skip all the custom stuff and either buy a trg 22 $2600 eurooptics, new barrel $600 and for $3100 you have yourself a switch barrel. or do the exact same thing with the aiae.

i own a trg and absolutely love it and i have owned way to many customs to count.
 
#35
Re: New Build Critique

I know people are saying go .260, just stay with your CM. You said you would also like to be able to buy good match ammo. The $21-25 per box factory CM ammo is very accurate. I know there are places you can order decent .260 from, but for me there's just something to be said for being able to walk into a shop, hand someone cash and walk out with your ammo in your hands.

I also agree with letting wnroscoe put it together. You may actually want to call him and get build advice from a guy that builds them for a living. He might even find some more ways to save you money on components.

I wouldn't discount what send-it and chiller are saying, the TRG is a hoss, and very accurate and dependable. I regret not buying one. Also, eurooptics has them in .260 as well. That would be the only thing that swayed me towards .260 over CM.
 
#36
Re: New Build Critique

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Team-Send-It!!!</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i know this is crazy but i to would skip all the custom stuff and either buy a trg 22 $2600 eurooptics, new barrel $600 and for $3100 you have yourself a switch barrel. or do the exact same thing with the aiae.

i own a trg and absolutely love it and i have owned way to many customs to count. </div></div>
TSI knows his stuff so think hard before you blow off his advice.

Also, I had a jewell trigger break on me in the field. No BS, the trigger just broke. If I had been deployed at the time I'd have been in a world of hurt. So, from my real world experience, get a stronger trigger than a Jewell.

Or put the rifle in your will to me when it craps out on you when your life depends on it. I won't hesitate to replace the Jewell once I get your caked-on blood scrubbed off the rifle ...

The new Huber trigger is ruling the day. People are in love with it. I run a CG Jackson Tactical trigger and am very happy with how built like a tank it is.

My ¢2
 
#37
Re: New Build Critique

I'd say save some weight and get a shorter barrel. Unless your going .300 win mag or larger what do need the extra length for? Sure it could help get you a few more fps but you'd like having the shorter barrel. Just my .02€
 
#38
Re: New Build Critique

+1 on shorter barrel. My 22" 260 just "handles" better than for instance my 24" aw. In fact, I wish I had gone to 20". All this smack on the jewell trigger is making me want to stuff a stock 700 trigger in my pack with some tools just in case....
cry.gif
 
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