New rifle build...looking for suggestions

[straightshooter]

I have a Savage 16 fhss in a 7mm wsm. This will be my first full build. I will be using this rifle as my carry long range rig. I will have about $800 to start, so what first?

 

[bigngreen]

I have a Savage 16 fhss in a 7mm wsm. This will be my first full build. I will be using this rifle as my carry long range rig. I will have about $800 to start, so what first?

I'm not quite following, do you have the rifle or are you building a 7mm WSM from scratch?

 

[straightshooter]

I already have the rifle, which at this time is factory stock, unfired. I want to build off of this to make a long range carry rifle.

 

[bigngreen]

I really like the new stock that Stockys Stocks has for the Savage short action. Pillar bed it and I think it would be a real nice stock while looking ridiculously great!!
http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-502/*NEW!*-Bobby-Hart-Long/Detail If it will work with the accustock models.

 

[straightshooter]

bigngreen,

Thanks for the input. I have been checking the internet for all sorts of info on all aspects of this build (I want to do it right the first time). I however, have not seen that stock before, thanks, it looks worthy of consideration. The rifle I have is pre accu-stock, if the action screw spacing is right then it may just work (I do love wood).

The main thing I am looking for right now is where to start. Should I upgrade the stock first, or get a match grade barrel? Can I have the action trued then put the factory barrel back on and shoot it out before I up grade it. I don't want any unexplained fliers, so should I just get that match barrel first and sell my factory one? This sort of thing, any input would be appreciated.

 

[bigngreen]

A good quality stock that is made for LR shooting will improve your shooting experience, a ground recoil lug is also very good. Is it a factory barrel, I didn't know that they every did the 7mmWSM, whatever I would see how it shoots for sure, my factory 270WSM barrel is shot out and it still holds MOA out to 1000yrds if I have a good day! The Stockys Stock should work if you have a center feed action. I tried to polish the factory turd of a stock on mine and I thought it was OK till I stuck it in a Bell and Carlson, it turned it into a different rifle!
Most of the upgrade stuff to do you can do yourself and save coin on a Savage.

 

[straightshooter]

bigngreen,

I agree 100%, I had a 10fp that was dropped into a Bell and Carlson and it also turned into a new experience of shooting. Groups shrunk in half, the stock fit so much better. The new rifle is a factory stock 7mm wsm. Savage did a run of these for a year or two, but the 7 wsm is starting to die away. I guess my tastes differ from the majority because I also would go 284 winchester but that is even more rare than the 7 short mag.

So maybe I should send the new Savage into Sharp Shooter Supply and have it trued, replace the recoil lug, put the factory barrel back on, bed it into an aftermarket stock, and see how she shoots.

 

[straightshooter]

Is there anyone else that has build a custom rifle off of a Savage action with any advice? If you were to do it again what would you do differently? If I bed the action in a good quality stock and true the action, what can I expect from the stock barrel? Will I get unexplained fliers? I won't be able to afford the stock and a barrel at the same time. Should I true the action, put on an after market barrel, and bed it in the factory stock? Or should I true the action and bed it in an after market stock using the factory barrel? My experience with Savages has me leaning towards getting the stock first since the factory barrels are far better than the factory stocks. Any other help is appreciated as well. I will also be selling my Savage fv 223 that shoots .4" groups at 100 yards (factory original), and a Ruger Hawkeye All Weather 308 that has had the trigger done and is in the smiths getting a bedding job done as we speak. Before the bedding job that rifle would shoot 7/8" groups at a 100 yards, if anyone is interested.