Gentlemen (& Ladies?),
Long time lurker, first time poster. Sorry in advance if I carry on. Years ago, (pre marriage/kids) I thought it would be fun to put together a semi-custom rifle. At the time I was quite naive about what made a precision rifle; still am to a great degree. In '01, I bought a 700 Varmint Synthetic .308 w/26" bbl (it has the j-lock). I got a Leupold "Vari X III 4.5-14x50 Long Range Tactical" w/30mm tube. Well, 8+yrs later, they have sat in the back of the safe (the only stick that has seen daylight is my Beretta for birds).
Well, I finally got a round to-it and would like to pick up where I started (with a LOT more knowledge thanks to you guys).
Before I ask too many questions, I have/am searched the threads so as not to kick up too many previously covered topics. I will also post/explore more specific questions in the more pertinent forums.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Here is what I have</span>-
-Rem 700 VS .308 26" bbl.
Is 26" too long? I seem that shorter bbls are more common.
Syn stock seems pretty good. wide/flat forend w/ more of a pistol grip than my sporter rifles. There are no distinguishing marks in the stock, HS rings a bell when I bought it. bedding?
-The only thing I did to this was have the trigger (stock) done by a local smith. 3#, IIRC?
-Leup scope. Mil Dot. I got a lot to learn/practice with this (will get a MilDot Master). Per Leup it has 125 moa adj in it. seems like A LOT.
<span style="font-weight: bold">What I want</span>-
-Action trued/blueprinted. This rifle undoubtedly shoots better than I can out of the box, but it can't hurt right? (some recs on Phx smiths pls)
-TPS XP 20 moa base. With 125 moa in the scope, do I need 20 in the base? maybe 10 (other than Murphy, who makes <20 bases?)
-TPS TSR rings. Still doing the hight math for a 50mm obj.
-Bolt knob/firing pin by Keith (gotta support the locals). this will also rid the J-lock.
-Flute bolt? Other than looking really bitchin, is this a go? It actually seems to me that the more grooves/recesses make more places for dirt & grime to hide in.
-Bottom metal. Badger, Seekins, HS? Availability of mags?
-Recoil Lug. um...
-Brakes. OMG. Too many choices. Badger, Vias, Fat Bastard etc. I'll probably just throw a dart.
-Bipods. I learned to shoot of a rest/sandbag/ruck or offhand (poorly). Are bipods more than just kickstands for pictures?
I do not have the capacity to roll my own, so factory rounds will be the diet.
I know that getting out and shooting is the best way to get the most out of this rifle, but is there an order of priority, logic or bang/buck in improving a rifle?
Again, thank you all for your patience and knowledge.
Tari
Long time lurker, first time poster. Sorry in advance if I carry on. Years ago, (pre marriage/kids) I thought it would be fun to put together a semi-custom rifle. At the time I was quite naive about what made a precision rifle; still am to a great degree. In '01, I bought a 700 Varmint Synthetic .308 w/26" bbl (it has the j-lock). I got a Leupold "Vari X III 4.5-14x50 Long Range Tactical" w/30mm tube. Well, 8+yrs later, they have sat in the back of the safe (the only stick that has seen daylight is my Beretta for birds).
Well, I finally got a round to-it and would like to pick up where I started (with a LOT more knowledge thanks to you guys).
Before I ask too many questions, I have/am searched the threads so as not to kick up too many previously covered topics. I will also post/explore more specific questions in the more pertinent forums.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Here is what I have</span>-
-Rem 700 VS .308 26" bbl.
Is 26" too long? I seem that shorter bbls are more common.
Syn stock seems pretty good. wide/flat forend w/ more of a pistol grip than my sporter rifles. There are no distinguishing marks in the stock, HS rings a bell when I bought it. bedding?
-The only thing I did to this was have the trigger (stock) done by a local smith. 3#, IIRC?
-Leup scope. Mil Dot. I got a lot to learn/practice with this (will get a MilDot Master). Per Leup it has 125 moa adj in it. seems like A LOT.
<span style="font-weight: bold">What I want</span>-
-Action trued/blueprinted. This rifle undoubtedly shoots better than I can out of the box, but it can't hurt right? (some recs on Phx smiths pls)
-TPS XP 20 moa base. With 125 moa in the scope, do I need 20 in the base? maybe 10 (other than Murphy, who makes <20 bases?)
-TPS TSR rings. Still doing the hight math for a 50mm obj.
-Bolt knob/firing pin by Keith (gotta support the locals). this will also rid the J-lock.
-Flute bolt? Other than looking really bitchin, is this a go? It actually seems to me that the more grooves/recesses make more places for dirt & grime to hide in.
-Bottom metal. Badger, Seekins, HS? Availability of mags?
-Recoil Lug. um...
-Brakes. OMG. Too many choices. Badger, Vias, Fat Bastard etc. I'll probably just throw a dart.
-Bipods. I learned to shoot of a rest/sandbag/ruck or offhand (poorly). Are bipods more than just kickstands for pictures?
I do not have the capacity to roll my own, so factory rounds will be the diet.
I know that getting out and shooting is the best way to get the most out of this rifle, but is there an order of priority, logic or bang/buck in improving a rifle?
Again, thank you all for your patience and knowledge.
Tari
