New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

[orrbull48]

been more of an AR guy for a while now, but wanted to get into some long range bolt guns, was looking into a kimber model 8400 advanced tactical or trying to build something similar. does anyone have any input or info i can use? thanks in advance!
-Lee

 

[71firebird400]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

What do you plan on doing with it?
Do you reload?
How far of range do you have access to?
Do you have a caliber preference?
What is your budget?
How long are you willing to wait for a custom?
Do you already have a scope?

 

[orrbull48]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

maninly just shooting at the range, maybe a long range hog hunt or even elk and carribou at longer ranges, i do reload(beginner as well) have access to 1000yrd range, was leaning into a 300WM or similar, was wanting a 338Lapua but its just too expensive. Budget for gun only is probably around 2k-ish, waiting isnt a problem, all of my AR uppers are custom and have waited for over a year for some of them, I have a Leup mrk4 4.5-14x50 Ill TMR ret available but would like a NF. will be suppressed as well

 

[Paulus]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

Why not a .308 for now, until you really get the hang of long range shooting? will be cheaper, longer barrel life, TONS of load data, and just about every bolt gun under the sun is in .308.

Might i suggest a remington 700 SPS tactical AAC-SD? it has a 10 twist threaded barrel and shoots nice right out of the box but wont break the budget. only real upgrade needed would be to upgrade the stock, and put decent glass on it. a nice budget build that you can customize later if you get more into it.

Also of note, Tikka t3, Savage model 10, Stevens model 200, or even a nice little Howa. All will do what you want without breaking the bank. as far as upgrades and addons though, remington has the edge, followed by savage.

Id consider one of the more common calibers like .223 or .308 if you want a bigger round as the barrel life, loading data, and price point, coupled with long barrel life will serve you well.

just some food for though.

-Paulus

 

[orrbull48]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Paulus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why not a .308 for now, until you really get the hang of long range shooting? will be cheaper, longer barrel life, TONS of load data, and just about every bolt gun under the sun is in .308.

Might i suggest a remington 700 SPS tactical AAC-SD? it has a 10 twist threaded barrel and shoots nice right out of the box but wont break the budget. only real upgrade needed would be to upgrade the stock, and put decent glass on it. a nice budget build that you can customize later if you get more into it.

Also of note, Tikka t3, Savage model 10, Stevens model 200, or even a nice little Howa. All will do what you want without breaking the bank. as far as upgrades and addons though, remington has the edge, followed by savage.

Id consider one of the more common calibers like .223 or .308 if you want a bigger round as the barrel life, loading data, and price point, coupled with long barrel life will serve you well.

just some food for though.

-Paulus </div></div>

thanks for the info, considered the 308 but decided i wanted a little more energy than what the 308 delivers, i have a 270wsm, 6.5 grendel, a few 223's, 243wssm, 6.8spc necked down to a .25 and some others but wanted something a bit bigger than i already have. ill re think the 308. are the kimbers worth a dang or do they just look cool?

 

[WhiskeyWebber]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: orrbull48</div><div class="ubbcode-body">maninly just shooting at the range, maybe a long range hog hunt or even elk and carribou at longer ranges, i do reload(beginner as well) have access to 1000yrd range</div></div>

Sounds like .300WM or one of the 7mm cartridges (,284win, 7RemSAUM, 7mm-08) is what you are leaning toward. The 7mms win from a ballistics perspective with the new 180g projectiles but there is also great factory ammo and a heck of a track record for .300WM.

I was faced with the same decision and I just went ahead with the .338 in a TRG42. Eurooptic was running a sale last year @ $2250 for the TRG42s. I wanted to go bigger than .308. 300WM and the 7mms definitely fit the bill but I figured why limit myself and went straight on to .338LM. They make TRG42s in .300WM too and the trigger/action/ergonomics of the the TRG have me rethinking my fit on all of my AICS builds. In other words, I thought I was comfortable with my AICS rifles but then I tried a TRG and now I'm making adjustments to my AICS setup to feel more like a box stock TRG.

 

[turbo54]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

7mm

Just as good if not better than 300wm ballistically, without the recoil. Higher downrange energy.

Gotta love the 7s!

 

[orrbull48]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

I know there is a sticky on caliber choices here as well, i think at this point im more interested in which gun....or whats a good starting point, to build or to buy off shelf? kimber really has my eye but ive never owned one....but feel free to suggest calibers as im open to anything at this point

 

[orrbull48]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">7mm

Just as good if not better than 300wm ballistically, without the recoil. Higher downrange energy.

Gotta love the 7s! </div></div>

I am a fan of the 7's but who chambers in a 7 off the shelf in a good LR package? or should this be a build off?

 

[Temper]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

You'll probably get more for your money if you bought all the parts and shipped it off to a well known builder.

 

[orrbull48]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

Anymore input? Thanks again for the advice

 

[VKC]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

I really like the 7mm mags. My 7mm WSM is my favorite rifle to shoot pass 1000 yds. Do a search on "What's wrong with the .30 caliber? By Bryan Litz.

As far as 7mm vs 338, it comes down to cost and recoil. And whether you really need the downrange energy. For hunting and target shooting, 7mm in my opinion. For the military to punch through armour or independently very wealthy, 338.

To really take advantage of long VLD bullets in 7mm, you need a custom.

 

[orrbull48]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vkc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really like the 7mm mags. My 7mm WSM is my favorite rifle to shoot pass 1000 yds. Do a search on "What's wrong with the .30 caliber? By Bryan Litz.

As far as 7mm vs 338, it comes down to cost and recoil. And whether you really need the downrange energy. For hunting and target shooting, 7mm in my opinion. For the military to punch through armour or independently very wealthy, 338.

To really take advantage of long VLD bullets in 7mm, you need a custom. </div></div>

what can i expect to pay for a custom? whats the norm for wait time? seems the 7 fits more of what i want to do....

 

[smallbore]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

Welcome to the Hide.

Since you are trying to do a combination rifle you face the problem of having a rifle that is light enough to carry in the field, unless you are hunting from a horse or vehicle, and heavy enough to tame some recoil, unless you are using a brake or suppressor. When I was looking I ended up buying a used Winchester model 70 classic in 7mm STW since I liked the ballistics and was going to make a switch barrel out of it any way. The rifle is a dedicated field gun with out a brake since I hate brakes and have several competition rifles that are less expensive to feed and easier on the barrels. The 7 STW will do all that you want but is a little hard on the barrel life if you want to shoot it a lot. I don't find the recoil excessive but I do shoot a lot more than some folks do. Hope this helps.

 

[Hi Speed]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

The Kimber 8400 is a great smooth actioned accurate rifle. The fit and finish are gr8 for a semi custom stick. You can get a savage and do the custom work yourself and build 2 of them for the price of one custom. Or you could build one and have 4 barrels for the caliber of your choice. The switch takes all of 15 minutes tops. I like the 6.5 creedmore myself.

 

[VKC]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: orrbull48</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vkc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really like the 7mm mags. My 7mm WSM is my favorite rifle to shoot pass 1000 yds. Do a search on "What's wrong with the .30 caliber? By Bryan Litz.

As far as 7mm vs 338, it comes down to cost and recoil. And whether you really need the downrange energy. For hunting and target shooting, 7mm in my opinion. For the military to punch through armour or independently very wealthy, 338.

To really take advantage of long VLD bullets in 7mm, you need a custom. </div></div>

what can i expect to pay for a custom? whats the norm for wait time? seems the 7 fits more of what i want to do.... </div></div>

Depends on if you buy your own parts and ship them to the gunsmith. The price will vary a lot with the quality of the parts and what components you choose.

Take a look at GA Precision website to get an idea, but there are lots of other good gunsmiths. Search this forum and you will also find many other quality smaller shops.

 

[nfngun]

Re: New Here...want to build or buy a new LR bolt gun

Im new to the long range myself LOL i should say longer range i went with a .223 as my introduction due to my range access and cost too shoot. If one has the money custom seems to be the way to go since i started research ive been drooling over sergeon guns and Defiant actions are works of art aswell, but if funds are an issue and you want an out of the box rifle you can build up slowly a good stock Remington 5R which seems to be a favorite comes in a 300 with a tr theigger upgrade being the only real modification it would need off the bat. The bull barrell may not fit your hunting needs due to the weight but trying to hit a carbu at distance i doubt youd be shooting off hand.