first rifle build

[COBrad]

I shoot a very similar rifle:
Stiller Predator action, Jewel trigger, Satern #4 taper fluted barrel, Manners carbon fiber stock.
Mine is chambered in 270 WSM. I am a real fan of the 7 mag, so a 280 improved sounds great, but I have to say this short mag is just the thing for my use. The bare rifle weighs 6.8 lbs, so it is not an ultralight, but is still very portable. With the Nightforce 2.5-10 and Talley rings/bases, it still weighs right around 8 lbs. I am shooting 140 gr. Berger VLD's at almost 3200, and the rifle is accurate enough I have made numerous first shot cold barrel hits on Marmots between 5 and 600 yards this year. Shooting this bullet in this caliber gives decent BC and moderate recoil.
Why do you want to use the light/fast bullets for shooting out to 500 yards? I have been happy with the 140 VLD's, but when the last 200 are gone I'm going to the 150's to reduce wind drift as much as possible. 600 isn't too long range, but it is enough to really begin to see the effects of wind drift and the limitations of lower BC.
What ever caliber you choose, you might want to consider higher BC, lower speed, and less wind drift. Gravity is easy to compensate for, it never changes. Wind is the greatest challenge.

[Popapi]

270WBY with the PROPER twist and shoot the 165grn MATRIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PEEWEE69]

COBrad only reason for the light and fast is because i want to use a non lead bullet and if i don't have the velocity the bullet won't expand

[jack1k]

Why do you want to use non-lead bullets?

[COBrad]

Popapi, I would love to use that 165 Matrix. From the test results I have read, it has a true BC almost identical to the .337 G7 BC of the 180 gr 7mm Berger VLD's I am shooting in my LR 7 rem mag, and those are some very good bullets.
I spoke with the guys at Matrix and they told me my 10 twist barrel would not stabilize the 165's, or I would already be using them.

I would also ask, why do you want to use unleaded bullets? By time you reach 500 yards your speed is going to be much lower anyway, so how is that bullet going to expand then?
In all fairness I have used the Barnes TSX bullets in both a 270 Win, and a 300 WSM. They worked quite well, but ranges were only 300 yards, or less. IMO, they are not the best choice in a longer range bullet. You need BC man!

[PEEWEE69]

I like the non lead bullet due to less meat damage from pieces of lead I've shot partion acubond corelocks and other lead bullets and about 80% of the time they fragment to much this is probably due to the fact I like taking a mid to high shoulder shot on game other than hogs

[Coyboy]

If it is a deer rifle for 500 yards and less why flip the coin on a custom rifle?
Most factory rifles will shoot moa at 500 yards, so go buy a factory 270 weatherby.

The reason we use customs is because were looking for one of a few different things;
1. faster twist than whats available in a factory gun.
2. Chamberings that are absent or uncomon in factory guns.
3. The quest for accuracy where most guy don't think about shooting, 600-1200 yards.
4. Competition rifles, which for short or LR need pinpoint accuracy not required to kill deer.