To build or not to build........... 300WM

[LongRifle75]

Hey guys Ive had this rifle for about 13 years and have only put about 60 rounds through it. Bought it for hunting and have only used it a couple of times. Its a basic Remington 700, 300WM. My question is what would I need to do with this rifle to make it a GOOD precision rifle for 1000-1200 yard and in shooting. Not gonna be hunting or anything like that just paper and steel target shooting for precision.

Obviously a new optic and mount. I was thinking about a McMillian type stock and maybe a detachable magazine and a new heavier barrel and trigger assembly. Thoughts and opinions and suggestions are most surely welcome.

OR would it be cheaper to just leave it alone and buy a new rifle???????????

 

[usafabrad]

Everything you just named, (optics, stock, trgger, barrel) would make this a custom gun. Only thing left would be a remington 700 factory long action, which is exactly what a ton of great smiths out there start their builds out with. If you gather your parts that you want to have put together and research who you want to have the work done for you, I can think of no smith or shop out there that wont assemble a rifle for you.

 

[Shoalwater]

Everything you just named, (optics, stock, trgger, barrel) would make this a custom gun. Only thing left would be a remington 700 factory long action, which is exactly what a ton of great smiths out there start their builds out with. If you gather your parts that you want to have put together and research who you want to have the work done for you, I can think of no smith or shop out there that wont assemble a rifle for you.

Pretty much this ^^^^^ you just have to pick which manufactures you want to use for each component.

 

[bhart89]

I'll just throw out there that if you will just be shooting paper and steel a 6.5 will give you similar ballistics to the 300 WM yet be more wallet friendly in the ammo department (assuming you reload).

 

[LongRifle75]

Pretty much this ^^^^^ you just have to pick which manufactures you want to use for each component.

What would be some good manufacturers to use for barrels and trigger assemblies etc and what would a good barrel length be? I havent started reloading yet but Im pretty sure Im getting ready to start.

 

[Phezzik]

Possibly Jewell or Timney for a trigger, depending on your budget. Quality barrels a plentiful like Bartlein, Krieger, Brux or Hart. Most extended long range shooters that I know (myself included) usually run a 24-26" length on the barrel, but you can run as short as 20" depending on your load. 230 gr Bergers are great for the long range out to 1500 as long as you load it to your rifle. You also might want to consider a dbm setup, but those are a dime a dozen for the Remmy 700's.

 

[LongRifle75]

Cool thanks, still wondering if would be cheaper to just buy one from somebody.

 

[diderr]

Cool thanks, still wondering if would be cheaper to just buy one from somebody.

Nope. It would be more cost effective to build one off the action you have.

 

[kimberseries1]

I'll just throw out there that if you will just be shooting paper and steel a 6.5 will give you similar ballistics to the 300 WM yet be more wallet friendly in the ammo department (assuming you reload).

I would change barrel to .30-06, 6.5-.284, .284, 6.5X55, or some other long action cartridge. No point in building a S/A gun in L/A. Or at least go .260 and you can load a longer OAL that would be too much for the S/A.

 

[trilogymac]

Or just buy a 300WM 5R, sell your rifle and call it a day.

 

[usafabrad]

Basically as far as custom parts go, the only thing you have in-hand thats worth anything is that long action. A custom action off the shelf from a respectable shop like Surgeon, GAP, Stiller or even Badger will run you in the neighborhood of a grand. Remington factory actions can be had for less than half that, but no one is selling them, especially not now. A long action can handle any number of calibers. Its what the Army uses in the M24, so that they could keep the option to upgrade to 300WM if they so desired.

I say keep the action, go with a lighter caliber like .308 or .30-06, ( anything higher than that and you'll start looking at barrels as consimables rather than parts) and choose from any of the following:

Barrels: Krieger or Bartlein
Stock: McMillan, Manners, or Whidden
Trigger: Jewell or Timney
Rings and Bases: Badger, Larue, or any of the major scope manufacturers like leupold, NF, etc.

Take your pick of smiths to assemble those parts for you. You get what you wait for, as well as what you pay for. I dont suggest skimping on either. Quality is always cheaper in the long run.

 

[Downzero]

I say remove scope, rings, and mounts and throw them in the trash, install a proper 20 moa base, decent rings, and a good quality scope and shoot it as is. If your barrel only has 60 rounds through it, it probably already shoots great. If you want to upgrade from there, the sky is the limit, and the money spent on the base, rings, and mount won't go to waste.

Order your stock (it'll take 6 months to a year to get anyway) and a barrel blank, shoot it for the next 6 months as it is, and then send the barreled action and blank to a 'smith to clean up and install.

Granted that pencil barrel and pos stock aren't the best way to get started, but there is NO reason you cant enjoy shooting that rifle, once you get some decent glass on it.

 

[LongRifle75]

Basically as far as custom parts go, the only thing you have in-hand thats worth anything is that long action. A custom action off the shelf from a respectable shop like Surgeon, GAP, Stiller or even Badger will run you in the neighborhood of a grand. Remington factory actions can be had for less than half that, but no one is selling them, especially not now. A long action can handle any number of calibers. Its what the Army uses in the M24, so that they could keep the option to upgrade to 300WM if they so desired.

I say keep the action, go with a lighter caliber like .308 or .30-06, ( anything higher than that and you'll start looking at barrels as consimables rather than parts) and choose from any of the following:

Barrels: Krieger or Bartlein
Stock: McMillan, Manners, or Whidden
Trigger: Jewell or Timney
Rings and Bases: Badger, Larue, or any of the major scope manufacturers like leupold, NF, etc.

Take your pick of smiths to assemble those parts for you. You get what you wait for, as well as what you pay for. I dont suggest skimping on either. Quality is always cheaper in the long run.

Good advice, but Ive already got a Rem 700 in 308 so I was kinda wanting to keep the 300WM.

I say remove scope, rings, and mounts and throw them in the trash, install a proper 20 moa base, decent rings, and a good quality scope and shoot it as is. If your barrel only has 60 rounds through it, it probably already shoots great. If you want to upgrade from there, the sky is the limit, and the money spent on the base, rings, and mount won't go to waste.

Order your stock (it'll take 6 months to a year to get anyway) and a barrel blank, shoot it for the next 6 months as it is, and then send the barreled action and blank to a 'smith to clean up and install.

Granted that pencil barrel and pos stock aren't the best way to get started, but there is NO reason you cant enjoy shooting that rifle, once you get some decent glass on it.

I guess I shouldve stated that I bought the gun used so I dont know exactly how many rounds have been put through it. Ive only put about 60 or so through it.

 

[yellowXJ]

If you can sell that rifle for more than what a smith is going to "credit" you for providing your own action then go that route.

 

[LongRifle75]

I say remove scope, rings, and mounts and throw them in the trash, install a proper 20 moa base, decent rings, and a good quality scope and shoot it as is. If your barrel only has 60 rounds through it, it probably already shoots great. If you want to upgrade from there, the sky is the limit, and the money spent on the base, rings, and mount won't go to waste.

Order your stock (it'll take 6 months to a year to get anyway) and a barrel blank, shoot it for the next 6 months as it is, and then send the barreled action and blank to a 'smith to clean up and install.

Granted that pencil barrel and pos stock aren't the best way to get started, but there is NO reason you cant enjoy shooting that rifle, once you get some decent glass on it.

Trust me its really no fun to shoot as it sits right now with that barrel on it. Its desperately in need of a brake and a heavier barrel!