Please help me build a Rifle.

[edenfies]

Ok, here's what I'm looking for. I need a rifle capable of having 1000yd elk knockdown power. I would appreciate suggestions on specific builds, including stock, chamber, trigger, barrel, estimated price of configuration, gunsmith, etc. I would like a chamber that is relatively easy to get brass, I'll be doing all my own reloading. Also this rifle will be used for elk and deer, which will reguire as much as a couple mile hikes into the wilderness with it. Once there I'm just looking to climb a knob and set up position. Please reply with your best build configurations for such a rifle, the thing I know for sure right now is that I like the Mcmillan A3-A5 stocks. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[AJ Peacock]

Ok, here's what I'm looking for. I need a rifle capable of having 1000yd elk knockdown power. I would appreciate suggestions on specific builds, including stock, chamber, trigger, barrel, estimated price of configuration, gunsmith, etc. I would like a chamber that is relatively easy to get brass, I'll be doing all my own reloading. Also this rifle will be used for elk and deer, which will reguire as much as a couple mile hikes into the wilderness with it. Once there I'm just looking to climb a knob and set up position. Please reply with your best build configurations for such a rifle, the thing I know for sure right now is that I like the Mcmillan A3-A5 stocks. Thanks for the help guys.

I just went through the same process you are going through, 1000yd elk knockdown power was the fly in the ointment for me. I really liked the 7mm Allen Magnum and almost went that way. I decided to go with more power and went with the 338AM. This meant a couple more pounds to carry, but a whole lot more downrange pop! If I had went with the 7mm AM, I would have had it built specifically for the 200gr wildcat bullet. If/when I have a 7mm AM built, it will be a little brother to my 338AM


Here is what I would have built in a 7mm AM-
McMillan A5 (adjustable cheek piece, flush mount swivels on left side)
Jewel trigger
BAT action with fluted bolt
20MOA rail
Nightforce ultralight rings
Nightforce 3.5x15x50 NXS scope
Lilja barrel 30" fluted
Slab muzzle brake

Thats what I will have built when I get my 7mm AM, I'll have it built to 12lbs or so.

I'd have Kirby put it together for me as well. There are a couple pics of my 338AM on this topic http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f22/new-arrival-almost-338am-4days-counting-24818/index2.html



AJ

 

[edenfies]

That is one sweet looking rifle, if you don't mind what was the finally $$$?

 

[AJ Peacock]

That is one sweet looking rifle, if you don't mind what was the finally $$$?

Around $4k without glass or brass.

AJ

 

[motrapper]

i have a question about reloading for a 338AM what are all of the componets to reload for this case and what are the approximate costs associated because iam about 1 day away form ordering one, excluding the muzzel brake i hate the additional noise and dont mind recoil i love my 338 RUM and am already addicited to the round but the know how to reload for it is one thing and iam guessing its alittle different for the 338AM any help would be appreciated
thanks
sid

 

[AJ Peacock]

i have a question about reloading for a 338AM what are all of the componets to reload for this case and what are the approximate costs associated because iam about 1 day away form ordering one, excluding the muzzel brake i hate the additional noise and dont mind recoil i love my 338 RUM and am already addicited to the round but the know how to reload for it is one thing and iam guessing its alittle different for the 338AM any help would be appreciated
thanks
sid

Well, its not a round I would recommend learning to reload with. I've just started with this round over the last couple weeks (others here have been reloading for it for a year).

1) Components : Brass around $2/each. Then you add a little for fireforming (I think Kirby charges around $1)
408 Chey Tac brass. You can fireform your own or Kirby can fireform them in a jig he's built.
2) Bullets: Most use either the Sierra Matchking in 300gr or one of the heavier Wildcat bullets. I chose the Sierra, since they are readily available
3) Powder: Although several have been tried, I believe the #1 powder is Hodgdon H50BMG (from 143-145gr is the typical load range)
4) Primers: Federal 215

Tools required.
1) You can't use the smaller presses, as they don't have a large enough loading window. The larger Reddings and RCBS's work great. (Redding Ultra 700 and RCBS AmmoMaster 2 are examples)
2) I like hand priming and use a Lee hand primer. But it wont work on such a large shell. I bought an RCBS handprimer and had to grind off the top to make the shellholder fit! (BTW: shellholders are $15/each)
3) You will want to be able to trim the cases square. My RCBS trimmer wouldn't work (not big enough). I had to buy the larger Forster trimmer kit.

Other than that, its just like reloading for any other rifle.

The dies that Kirby provides are awesome. My typical runout is less than .001" on loaded rounds. Having a perfectly square chamber doesn't hurt either.

Unless you are getting a pretty heavy rifle built, I'd recommend a muzzle brake. After all, this round has more than 7000ft lbs of energy at the muzzle! Besides, with this round, you should wear hearing protection with or without a muzzle brake.

Hope this helps, I'm sure others will add their thoughts.

AJ

 

[AJ Peacock]

Motrapper,

Sent you a PM as well.

AJ

 

[gamedog]

AJ, Do you think a 7mm Allen mag would make the grade for a 1000 yard Elk rifle? Any idea's comparing build up costs and ease of reloading comparing the 7 mm AM to the 338 AM?

 

[AJ Peacock]

AJ, Do you think a 7mm Allen mag would make the grade for a 1000 yard Elk rifle? Any idea's comparing build up costs and ease of reloading comparing the 7 mm AM to the 338 AM?

In my mind, I want something bigger than 7mm at 1000yds + for Elk. For deer, caribou etc. I think the 7mmAM would be perfect. But in my opinion, 1000yds on an animal as resilient as an elk, requires a serious hammer. Thats why I chose the 338am.

Reloading costs are going to be pretty close to the same. I can get 4-6 reloads on brass with the 338AM. The 338AM burns around 40gr more powder/shot. Lead costs are pretty close. Reloading processes are going to be identical (need a longer loading window for the 338AM though).

Build up cost will be a wash. I believe barrel life will also be similar.

I use a 7mm Rem Mag for much of my biggame hunting. It is a fine deer and elk rifle and the 7mm AM would be even better. But when I decided to build a custom LONG RANGE elk rifle, I wanted to have the biggest baddest hammer I could carry.

Hope that helps,
AJ

 

[James Jones]

For a good cost effective gun I's start with a Rem 700 Sendero in 338 RUM , have it rechambered to 338 Edge and a Wyatt's box installed as well as a brake then have toe gun bedded , the factory rem trigger can be worked down to crisp clean 2.5lbs pretty easly by a smith. Get a set or rings and a base from Glenn Seekins and the gun will be ready. For the scope Any variable with a top end in the 12-20 power range would work well and remember you get what you pay for , I reciently bought a Nikon Tactical 4-16x50mm adn I coulden't be happier with it super glass for the money as well as the scope by IOR and Nightforce. Expect to pay around $900-$1400 for a good scope with repeatable clicks wheich is what your gonna need for shooting that far.
I would be hard pressed to say that this gun would shoot any more than 1 moa , so goups in the 12-14" range at 1000yds should be do-able.

I'd also plan to get a good range finder and bi-pod.

All of this could probably be had for $2500 or so if you shop around and don't mind buying used things.

But depending on your buget it can go up realy fast from their.

As for the smith , Kirby has a big following here as well as Shawn Carlock , I personaly use Nathan Dagley ,he goes by "308nate" here and his web site is in my signature box.

On a side note , it doesen't take a big ultra mag to kill an elk at 1000yds and unless your shooting a 50 BMG your not gonna knock one down either , a 300 Win mag will kill and Elk at 1000yds with a good bullet. As a matter of fact theirs a great deal on a custom 300 mag in the ads below
DCan't blame me for trying can ya)

 

[AJ Peacock]

On a side note , it doesen't take a big ultra mag to kill an elk at 1000yds and unless your shooting a 50 BMG your not gonna knock one down either , a 300 Win mag will kill and Elk at 1000yds with a good bullet. As a matter of fact theirs a great deal on a custom 300 mag in the ads below
DCan't blame me for trying can ya)

James, good points on the 338RUM/Edge. It is a lot of rifle for the money.

You are right of course, it doesn't take that much to kill an elk. But at long range 'perfect' bullet placement is harder. If I miss the breadbox and hit the shoulder of an elk at 1000yds, I want to break him down. You aren't going to do that with a lot of lesser cartridges. At 1000yds, the 338AM has more energy than a 300Win mag does at 150yds. As far as knocking them down, if a 300WinMag will do it at 150yds, a 338AM will do it at 1000yds.

AJ

 

[Down Under Hunter]

I had this exact problem about 4 months ago and solved it by going with a defensive edge Shawn Carlock 338 edge.

I seriously looked at the 338 AM and snipe tac but because I wanted a repeating rifle that could have quick second shots at much closer ranges as well, the edge offered everything I needed for much less money, but with just as much if not more grunt than the 338 Lapur.

I bought a new sf 1 sendero 300 rum, then sent it to Shawn for 30 " plus DE break 5.6 d/ tapered HArt ss barrel heavy 6 flute.

Wyatt centre feed ultra mag ext mag box, bedded, trigger tuned, 40 moa rail with lw NF rings, badger tactical bolt, fluted bolt . DE adjustable cheekpiece. Rifle is being Teflon coated matt black with OD green stock, HArris s series bipod with pod loc. Glass is NF 5- 22 x 56 npr-1. It is being chambered to suit the 265 wildcat bullet with 4 " OAL and the 300 smk with OAL at 3.8 ".

Shawn is testing it next weekish ?? Hopefully I'll get some pics to post when he is ready.

I also saw AJ's rifle and it looks as mean as a cut cat !! I just wanted the rifle to be a repeater and the snipe tac package was beyond my finances.

Good luck

Cheers

 

[edenfies]

I can't seem to find anything on a Sendero 338 RUM. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to purchase one of these rifles and how much should I expect to pay, new vs used.

 

[gamedog]

I can't seem to find anything on a Sendero 338 RUM. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to purchase one of these rifles and how much should I expect to pay, new vs used.

I checked Remingtons website yesterday and they showed the 300 RUM as there largest offering in the Sendero.