Long Range Rifle On A Budget, by Jerry Teo

[hillbillybear]

Very Nice article

[Eaglet]

Awesome article. Thanks for sharing that great info.

[Mysticplayer]

Thanks for the kind comments guys. You definitely don't to spend a fortune nowadays for great shooting rifles.

The Savage/Stevens action is actually rated STRONGER then the Rem700. Factory chambering have included the largest Lazz monsters so more then strong enough for the RUM and Lapua.

Savage even made rifles chambered for the RUM but have since been dropped. They used the larger shank barrel thread but had the same external action dimensions - not sure what the point was but anyhoo....

The mag box was sized to feed the 7RUM and the 300RUM so the 338 RUM is a no brainer. Contact Savage to see if they can offer you parts or direct you to dealers with old stock.

As for prethreaded/chambered barrels, you should contact the barrel makers directly. With the huge interest in the 338 Lapua, it is a matter of time before it is a reg. stocked item. The RUM should be readily available.

Pac nor, ER Shaw list the chamberings. Lothar Walther has been growing their list of chamberings too. Shilen you would need to contact directly. All will respond to enquiries.

Just got off the range testing some new brass for my 6.5 Mystic Stevens F class rifle. 100yrds 3rds 1/8" group in moderate gusty winds. Not bad for a box stock action and quality BR barrel.

Jerry

www.6mmbr.com Look up gun of the week 75 to learn more about my 6.5 Mystic Fclass budget build.

[sandytye]

Jerry
thanks for your insight.
i'm just getting into LR and am limited to factory stuff.
but after that article I will be saving my pennies for a project.

Thanks
Tye

[RockZ]

Great article. You sound like me. I have 4 savages and will probably get a few more. Of course I have extra barrels too.
They are all tackdrivers, from the 204 Ruger to the 300 Win mag.

[gnab2]

What a great article. I have turned down several big name guns for a Savage. I don't know if others feel this way but there is just that sweet feeling when a Savage hits your shoulder. I just need another Savage for the collection.. Thanks

[Slopeshunter]

Jerry,

That was a great article, I really enjoyed it. Good timing for me also in that I've been thinking of picking up a 308 to use for long range target practice in prep for LRH.

Wanting to do this as low cost as possible I was thinking of the Stevens Model 200.

I have a few questions that maybe you could help me with or point me in a direction where I could find it.

I agree with you that the stock that comes on the Stevens is plain ugly. So I was thinking of spray painting it. I've heard mention of Krylon spray paint.

Is there any prep work to do before starting to spray the stock? How many coats should I do? Is there anything I should put on top to protect the paint from chipping off??

As far as bedding goes, I was thinking of trying that I would like to try doing that myself. But have no idea how to do it?? I've seen kits by Brownell's (I think) in the local sporting goods store. I was thinking of grabbing one of those figuring that I should be able to figure out the instructions? Hopefully

Any pointers as far as bedding goes?

Also the stocks are flimsy as you mentioned. You talked about opening up the foreend and reinforcing it. What exactly do you mean by "opening up"? What do you use to open it up? What do you use to reinforce it? How do you do that?

Last but not least, the Stevens trigger. Is it adjustable down to around 2lbs? If so, is that something I can do myself or have a gunsmith do?

Thanks again, great article!