Relization. Looking at 308

[ATH]

I am partial to the improved long range ability of the 243 family but you'll get more trigger time on a 308 before you roast the barrel. If it's raw trigger time at moderate ranges you want, 308 is a good choice. I just bring up 243 as it offers some ballistic advantages. I'd stick with a 30 if elk are on your list though.

A good .22 is another good investment. You can buy complete 308 and .22 setups, both, and polish your skills cheaply, for well under the cost of a custom rig.

Unless you feel the need to move up to the big 338s and barn-burners popular with the dedicated long range shooters on here, you could avoid a custom rig altogether (sacriligious! I know!). I have a plain jain Remington Sendero, in 300WM it's plenty accurate and plenty of gun for the 600-1000 yd ranges I'm interested in. Much past that you really NEED a purpose-built gun IMO.

[McTank]

COgoat,

I own several custom built rifles. The first was a 257 WBY mag on a Ruger M77 MK II, the second was a 7MM STW on a Rem 700, the third a 300 RUM on a Rem 700, the fourth a 7mm Rem Mag on the previously mentioned 257 WBY, the 5th a 50 BMG from Armalite, the 6th a 223 Rem on a Rem 700, the 7th a 308 Win on a Rem 700.
My favorite?-------the 308, it's the easiest to find ammo for, hand load for, shoot, carry, all around best rifle I own. The worst thing about it was the fact I spent thousands of dollars on other rifles to learn this. I tell all my friends don't "F" around with hot rod rifles, get a well built 308 and get your "A" to the range!

[cavtrooper94]

It doesn't really meet your criteria but I have a rig along your lines. I love the Remington 700 Police in 308 with a Huskemaw scope. Pushing 175 gr VLDs it is very accurate, and easy to shoot. It will kill deer and below at 800, but I don't have experience with Elk. Probably need to be within 500 for an Elk.