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Suggestions for Custom Build

libertyman777

libertyman777

Are you gonna eat that....
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 26, 2007
849
11
58
Heflin, Alabama
#1
I've got an opportunity to have a custom rifle built via a trade I've made. Value will be $1800 or so.

There are lots of folks here that have gone down that road. What would you do or do different.

Action choices are Remington 700 LA and SA, Savage LA/SA, or Mauser 98.

Caliber choice from .223 to 300WM. I'm not looking for such an exotic caliber that I can't find brass. Other that I'm open to suggestions.

Stock choices. Here's where I struggle due to a lack of experience with many of the popular choices. I have had a 5R and the stock was okay but that's about it.

I'd like to shoot some long range matches and get some professional training. I hunt primarily out of shooting stands/houses so weight is not as important. I have other rifles that I can hunt with as well so that's really not an issue.

So I'd like ideas on calibers, barrel length, twist and taper for a particular caliber, stock options for my uses.

Pics would be great. All input welcome.

Thanks much!

Paul
 
#2
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

Remington 700 Short Action --- 260 Remington
McMillan A5 w/some sort of AICS bottom metal (CDI, Badger, Surgeon is nice)
24"-26" 6.5 barrel w/ 1:8 twist, medium palma?
Jewell Trigger
 
#4
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KPK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700 Short Action --- 260 Remington
McMillan A5 w/some sort of AICS bottom metal (CDI, Badger, Surgeon is nice)
24"-26" 6.5 barrel w/ 1:8 twist, medium palma?
Jewell Trigger </div></div>

+1
 
#5
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

M700 SA
260 or 6.5 Creedmore
24" Medium Contour barrel
Stock Remington Trigger

Stock, is all about personal preference. It should fit you like a good boot or a nice glove, very comfortable. What's good for one may suck for another. Best bet is to try and FF as many as you can. Fortunately there is a pretty active group in Birmingham and you can probably cop a feel on someone's stock there. As long as you stay with Manners or McMillan you'll be great. Personally I love Manners stocks but McMillan's are good too.

Personally I shoot a TRG so I can't help you in that department.
 
#6
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

I prefer stocks with aluminum block bedding to pillar bedding. I think whatever stock you choose, you should have it glass bedded.

If you decide to get a stock with aluminum block bedding, HS and B&C are very comporable to each other. I've owned both and the only thing that really stood out to me was that HS palm swells tend to be larger than B&C palm swells.

I went with HS stocks on my 2 rifles.

Remington SA
308 Win
20" MTU contour barrel
100_0928.jpg



1003002307.jpg

@ 100y

Rem LA
300 WM
Some varmint contour (I don't remember)
100_0945.jpg


1003002211.jpg

@ 100y

I shoot my 308 a lot more than my 300 WM. My 308 is every bit as heavy and accurate as my 300 WM, but I can find match ammo for my 308 in a lot of places and I can shoot my 308 all day without any physical side effects.

Also, the ranges by me go out to 200 and 300 yards and I feel like I'm wasting 300 WM at such close ranges.
 
#8
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KPK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700 Short Action --- 260 Remington
McMillan A5 w/some sort of AICS bottom metal (CDI, Badger, Surgeon is nice)
24"-26" 6.5 barrel w/ 1:8 twist, medium palma?
Jewell Trigger</div></div>

Whenever I am in this position again this what I'm gunna do in a 6.5 creedmoor!
 
#10
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

Look at my build specs in my sig. I would build the 7mm-08 or a 260rem. Either caliber will do equally well all the way out to 1 mile and still be able to reload for 12.00 for 20rds. You can make the 7mm-08 off of 308 brass with just a resizing die. With the tight twist I went with I can shoot anything from the 130g bullets all the way up to the 190 matrix. The BCs on the 7mm far out perform any of the 30 cals for the same grain weight and the 260 bullets are in the same ball park. Wind is the killer in long range shooting and the 7mm does EXTREMELY well in the wind. At my first match this year after switching cal I kept trying to put wind corrections on my scope thinking I was still shooting a 308 but with the 7mm-08 very little or no wind correction was needed.

My total build including scope comes in at 1200.00 that leaves you plenty of room to upgrade your glass or get reloading supplies. I can also give you my reload info. Right now I'm shooting the 162amax at 2700fps with no pressure signs.

PM me if you have any more questions.

Good luck,
Merritt
 
#11
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buffybuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KPK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700 Short Action --- 260 Remington
McMillan A5 w/some sort of AICS bottom metal (CDI, Badger, Surgeon is nice)
24"-26" 6.5 barrel w/ 1:8 twist, medium palma?
Jewell Trigger </div></div>

+1</div></div>

+2 But Manners T4
 
#12
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

First, all the advice given above is sound.

For my own purposes, I'd not try to come up with a compromise. LR target/Match work needs a rifle configured for that purpose. Hunting is a completely different purpose.

For hunting, I'd suggest giving the McMillan Tactical Hunter a good look, and figuring out whether you can come up with your own approximation, or if the real deal is the best answer. I would be tempted to stop right there, but the I'd also be ignoring my own advice.

The best reason to ignore that advice is chamberings. I am heavily prejudiced in favor of the .30-'06 for general hunting purposes.

For LR Target and Match shooting, I think the wick can be very acceptably turned downward. I favor the 6.5mm bullets for such applications. I use the .260 Rem. I admire the 6.5x55, and would most certainly accept a 6.5CM and use heck out of it if one fell into my lap.

For this stuff good ergonomic, decent barrels, and good sights are crucial.

Short barrels have a 'cool factor' and can be made to work very well. I prefer to use a longer barrel and crank the loads down to achieve the same velocities. Maybe I'm wearing a belt and suspenders both, but that's my way. With premium barrels, once you're into the match grade stuff, purchasing simplicity may well be as important as brand name.

Stocks, unless cash is an issue, a McMillan Tactical stock is preferable, and maybe even if it is.

Optics, higher magnifications will probably be more useful closer in. For 1Kyd, 24x is definitely only usable under absolutely glass-clear mirage conditions, and I only ever saw the like once in my lifetime. I use a 6-24x magnification range. My optics are not expensive. I make a tradeoff that allows savings and good enough performance under better optical conditions. When the conditions get cruddy, the higher price range means a lot more.

For actions, I would have suggested a Savage hunter 'action only' purchase, but for some reason the repeaters have disappeared from their web site; a change I do not welcome

Greg
 
#13
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

Thanks for the input gentlemen. I have narrowed my choices somewhat. Right now I'm considering functionality vs "dang that would be a nice rifle to have" factor.

Not considering a clone or reproduction but perhaps some "look-alike" rifles. This is primarily based on caliber.

If I stick with .30 caliber, then something along the lines of the:

M40a1

M40a3

or the Army's M24

All of these seem doable for a rifle that's very similar to the real deal.

If I head down the .260 route, then I'm leaning heavily toward the AI Chassis but haven't ruled out the McRees.

I'm leaning hard .260 with the AICS. I just need to see if I've got enough trade to make it happen.

Input welcome.

Paul
 
#14
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

Have you tyhought about a M40 "kinda clone"? Basically an M40 but in whatever chambering you prefer. Probably going that route with a build I have in mind for early next year.
 
#16
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nobearsyet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you tyhought about a M40 "kinda clone"? Basically an M40 but in whatever chambering you prefer. Probably going that route with a build I have in mind for early next year. </div></div>

Yeah, I've considered it. Don't know about a wood stocked 40 though. Where would one get a stock?
 
#18
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">Caliber Decision:</span></span>

I've done lot's of question asking and much reading on the subject. I currently load for 3 different .30 caliber rounds, the 7.5x55 Swiss, .300 Blackout and the .308. So there's one strong reason to maintain commonality. But the most compelling reason is spelled out by Zak Smith, <span style="color: #000066">"If you can only have one long-range precision rifle, it should be in .308 Winchester. Match-grade .308 ammunition is available everywhere, reloading recipes are well known and reloading it is easy, and in many rifles, the surplus 7.62x51 NATO ammunition from some countries will shoot 1.5 MOA or better, which is good enough for short-range (400 yards and closer) practice from less steady shooting positions such as offhand, kneeling, over barricades, or shooting at movers." </span> http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-equipment/?p=2

Like most, I have plans for other rifles in the future but his one should be a .308. Reloading components are also common. I've been looking for both .260 and 6.5x47 brass and it's hard to come by and expensive.

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">Stock Decision:</span></span>

Nothing definitive. I'm not crazy about the wait times for McMillan and Manners. I would imagine that finding a used one that hasn't been bedded would be hard to do too. So that leaves the AICS and McRees. I'm getting a chance to try out a AICS soon. Lots of people have advised that I try one out because of the thumbhole/grip area. I think I'll like it because that's similar to my pcp air gun stock. I find it comfortable and repeatable.

The HS Precision for the M24 look alike is still viable too. What has kept this stock in the running is that the stock has a profile that's very close to stock on my rimfire rifle and I shoot that rifle a good bit.

The good thing about all of this is that there is really no bad decision. It's great to be an American.

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">Glass</span></span>

Initially, I'll run an original Vortex Viper 6.5-20 Mildot. They can be had reasonably and are very good scopes for the money.

If I wait 6 months and go for the M40a3 profile, then eventually it would be the S&B 3-12 PMII which in any instance would be an "ultimate" glass choice.

M-24 would the the Leupold 10x42 M3 (I'd get the TMR) This would also be a great choice for a wood stocked M40 or the M40a1 as would a USO ST-10.

If cash is tight, the Viper PST's are showing promise.

But probably the best all around for practical magnification range, durability and price would be the Night Force 3.5-15. They're still reasonable used. I'd look hard at the USO 3.2-17 too.

So caliber. 308. Stock AICS (probably, since I have the patience of a 5 year old). Glass Vortex (initially) with the outlier being the M24. Either one will make for a pretty good stick.
 
#20
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

As far as caliber goes, you simply cannot go wrong with a .308; it will do everything from short to long range. However, past 800 yds, it does get a tad challenging with the .308. For more reliability out to 1000, I would go with a .260 or 6.5x47 (for short action).

I wouldn't default to AICS because of wait times for a mcm or manners stock. Get what you like the best.
 
#22
Re: Suggestions for Custom Build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KPK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700 Short Action --- 260 Remington
McMillan A5 w/some sort of AICS bottom metal (CDI, Badger, Surgeon is nice)
24"-26" 6.5 barrel w/ 1:8 twist, medium palma?
Jewell Trigger </div></div>

That is gonna be hard to beat. If you look at the ballistics for the 260 vs 308 you will understand why so many people use it. I'm shooting a 140 at about 2850. I start out with more energy than a 168 30cal bullet at 2600fps. If the 308 uses a 175 grain bullet at 2650, my 260 doesn't catch it (energy wise) until about 400 yards. From there out, the 260 has more power...and the 260 doesn't go subsonic till around 1700 yards vs about 1200 for the 308.
 
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