2 possible hunting rifle builds - which one?

[toader]

I am looking to build 1 last custom hunting rifle. I have played around with a couple set-ups and not sure which one to go with. I want to post both of them and see what you boys think of each - good or bad. Keep in mind, I like big cailbers and do not want a light weight rifle, looking for something in the 8-9# range

Possible 1:

*300WSM
*Surgeon WSM action w/ tactical bolt knob on bolt
*Broughton/Bartlein/Lilja barrel = 24" long, 1-11 twist, #4 contour
*Vais muzzle brake contoured to match barrel
*McMillan Rem Hunter stock = standard fill,Woodland camo, pillar/skim bedded
*Jewell HVR trigger tuned to 2.5#
*Badger lightweight bottom metal/triggerguard
*CeraKote all metal in black matte
*Badger 30 MM rings


Possible 2:

*300 Ultra Mag
*Borden Timberline mag action w/ tactical bolt knob, pinned Holland recoil lug
*Broughton/Bartlein/Lilja barrel = 25" long, 1-10 twist,#4 countour
*Vais muzzle brake contoured to match barrel
*Jewell HVR trigger tuned to 2.5#
*McMillan Rem Hunter stock = standard fill, 50% olive,25% tan,25% gray, pillar/skim bedded
*Badger lightweight bottom metal/triggerguard
*Cerakote all metal in matte sniper gray
*Badger 0 MOA base and Badger 30 MM rings

Scope will be a S&B 3-12X42 Klassik.

Gimme thoughts/suggestions.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[bwaites]

I am looking to build 1 last custom hunting rifle. I have played around with a couple set-ups and not sure which one to go with. I want to post both of them and see what you boys think of each - good or bad. Keep in mind, I like big cailbers and do not want a light weight rifle, looking for something in the 8-9# range

Possible 1:

*300WSM
*Surgeon WSM action w/ tactical bolt knob on bolt
*Broughton/Bartlein/Lilja barrel = 24" long, 1-11 twist, #4 contour
*Vais muzzle brake contoured to match barrel
*McMillan Rem Hunter stock = standard fill,Woodland camo, pillar/skim bedded
*Jewell HVR trigger tuned to 2.5#
*Badger lightweight bottom metal/triggerguard
*CeraKote all metal in black matte
*Badger 30 MM rings


Possible 2:

*300 Ultra Mag
*Borden Timberline mag action w/ tactical bolt knob, pinned Holland recoil lug
*Broughton/Bartlein/Lilja barrel = 25" long, 1-10 twist,#4 countour
*Vais muzzle brake contoured to match barrel
*Jewell HVR trigger tuned to 2.5#
*McMillan Rem Hunter stock = standard fill, 50% olive,25% tan,25% gray, pillar/skim bedded
*Badger lightweight bottom metal/triggerguard
*Cerakote all metal in matte sniper gray
*Badger 0 MOA base and Badger 30 MM rings

Scope will be a S&B 3-12X42 Klassik.

Gimme thoughts/suggestions.

Thanks,

Jeff

Heck, 8-9# IS lightweight!

Build BOTH! They both look like great builds!!

Bill

 

[MN Hunter]

I to am thinking of a build similar to the 300 wsm - possibly in 7wsm. Which calibers do yo have on either. Side of the 300's? What's your end use going to be?

 

[toader]

MN hunter,

I would use this rifle for longer range hunting - not 500-700 yds, but in the 300 to 400 yd range ( my personal limit ). I want to build my go to rifle for outfitted hunts.

Thanks for the replies!!

Jeff

 

[AJ Peacock]

MN hunter,

I would use this rifle for longer range hunting - not 500-700 yds, but in the 300 to 400 yd range ( my personal limit ). I want to build my go to rifle for outfitted hunts.

Thanks for the replies!!

Jeff

If you are staying in the 400yd range, then the 300WSM is a great caliber. It will have better barrel life and much less recoil for a sub 9lb rifle. It's capable of shots much longer than 400yds on deer sized game too!

The 300Rum is a serious step up in reach and recoil.

AJ

 

[BountyHunter]

I would not recommend the muzzle brake on the 300 WSM. I have this gun already and it is not needed (700, PTG bolt, extended Wyatts box, 26" #4 Lilja with Baer butternut thumbhole. 3-9 Kayles w/TDS and weight is 8 lbs.)

Not needed and the VAIS has holes all the way around which will kick up dirt if you shoot from the prone. Look at the Holland QD or the Radial. instead. IMO they are much better for a hunting gun, cheaper and better recoild reduction than the Vais's I have had.
BH

 

[AJ Peacock]

I would not recommend the muzzle brake on the 300 WSM. I have this gun already and it is not needed (700, PTG bolt, extended Wyatts box, 26" #4 Lilja with Baer butternut thumbhole. 3-9 Kayles w/TDS and weight is 8 lbs.)

Not needed and the VAIS has holes all the way around which will kick up dirt if you shoot from the prone. Look at the Holland QD or the Radial. instead. IMO they are much better for a hunting gun, cheaper and better recoild reduction than the Vais's I have had.
BH

I agree, no brake needed on the wsm.

AJ

 

[toader]

Brake can be done away with - just trying to be perfect (if possible) on this build!!

 

[NesikaChad]

There's something here I have never understood.

Being in the middle east for almost three years I can appreciate the need to mitigate a dust signature from a defensive marksman rifle or a sniper rifle.

I don't get it though when your out shooting critters that need killin.

Unless a guy is sniping mutts or yotes (in other words, a hunting pass time that involves a volume of ammunition) I am really struggling to understand why a dust signature is so detrimental. I would think that with all the world class marksman that this country possesses it shouldn't take more than one or two cartridges to bring home the bacon. Are we worried that our finely crafted custom guns will get dirty from the particulate that the brake kicks up?

I know I sound like a cynical _rick right now but I just don't get it and I build these things for a living.

The nutz and boltz of this is that the two cartridges you are pondering are in fact high velocity, high energy, magnums that produce a fair amount of recoil. As you attempt to reduce the overall weight of the rifle, perceived recoil is going to increase. If your shooting one or two shots then that is probably acceptable. Just be mindful though that having a custom gun built means the work just started ones you take delivery. You still will have to develop the hand loads and get your zeros sorted out.

Your shoulder is going to be there every time you pull that trigger.

I personally advocate the Vaise brakes because they do work and they don't look like a Mad Max trucker's shifter knob on the end of a rifle barrel. I'm a stickler for cosmetics though so take what I say with a big ol grain of salt.

Good luck in your quest for a great gun.

-Chad

 

[Kevin Cram]

Both of your specs sound like great builds, but I do have to agree with Chad on this one. If 400 is you max there really is no need for the 300 wsm or the 300 Ultra unless you want that caliber for bragging rights. You could step down to a 6.5mm cartridge and still have plenty of performance at that range without the punishment on your shoulder. Brakes are great, there on almost every gun I own but some aren't really needed. One of my favorite rifles is my 6.5-.284. I can push a 140g A-max about 2950 fps and have enough energy to kill big game outto 800 yards. The rifle recoil is mild and my children even enjoy shooting it. With that said though either of the calibers you chose will deffinately do the job. It all falls down to personal preference. Good luck with your build.