What to do first???

[Firearrow]

My plans got changed on me, having another baby, and I was not able to do my rifle build all in one shot. So here's the question. Should I have the action trued up, and then save up for the barrel, and trigger? Or is this something that I should just save up for and have it all once?

 

[HighKnob]

Need more info. Do you just have just an action or are you working on a rifle? What kind? Do you have a trigger?

 

[Firearrow]

I have a factory rem 700 in 300 win mag that I am shooting right now. It has a factory barrel that has been recrowned with a break, HS stock, factory trigger that has been worked over a bit by my old gunsmith.

My plan is a long distance hunting rifle (500 yd killer day in, and day out. With the ability to take that O MY GOD buck at 800 yds). I plan on using a hart barrel (not sure on what kind yet, need some input from you guys and some resurch on my part, but I know I want a straight flute on it), and a jewell trigger. Will be sending it to Keven Montour Coutnry Rifle. I don't have any of the after market stuff yet. Wanted to get the ducks in a rwo first, before I stated in on this project.

 

[SBruce]

A good trigger will help and likely improve your shooting............factory barrel or custom either one.

You'll eventually want good precision optics, and they will benefit your long range quest.........again, factory barrel or custom either one.

I would have the action trued and the barrel installed at the same time. But if you already have the trigger and scope, that's alot less to spend later on.

Bedding the factory action/barrel can sometimes do wonders for accuracy, especially if it's a heavy or semi-heavy barrel.

If you're shooting a maximum of 1 moa at 300 yds on a calm day with the factory tube, then you are already well on your way to the 500 yd stuff.

Have you determined the true cabability of your factory rig yet??......some can be extremely good with triggers, scopes and bedding.

 

[peashooter]

Hi Firearrow,

IMHO I would do similar to what SBruce said, I would true the action, trigger,bedding and capable optics for the goals. In most cases this will yield a sub moa rifle. I would then shoot the rifle until the barrel went south or finances allowed a barrel switch. Kevin Cram is excellent to work with. Congratulations on the baby and good luck with your gun.

 

[BountyHunter]

Do all the work at the same time!

Truing the action and putting the existing barrel back on will routinely change the headspace and you could end up rechambering expense for a factory barrel.

Get all your parts together first and then go to the smith. that will speed the job up tremendously. Barrels are normally the longest lead time anyway.

there are many smiths that can do absolutely great trigger jobs and you may not want or need to spend $240 for a Jewel.

Do some research with the smith and see what he has for a reamer and if it will match up with what you want to do. If not, order your own from PTG. Call and talk to Dave Kiff and see what he recommends. Cost is $150 and takes 30 days.

You can certainly do a really good scope and 20 MOA base now and just shoot what you have learning.

BH

 

[RDM416]

As far as having the rifle worked on I pretty much agree with the idea of waiting till you have the $ then do it all at once. Maybe the trigger now since that is easy, but if you factory trigger that has worked by a smith is good and can be set to #3 or less I would wait for that to.

Thing is your rifle may be just fine to get you to 500 yards, many factory rifles are. The only comment I have about the "oh my gosh" 800 yard shot is; don't go there until you are proficient at 800. Then you are an 800 yard shooter, not an 800 yard poke and hope.

I suggest you spend your money on your optics first. Rail base, good rings, the best scope you can possibly afford...... then there are rangefinders, binos etc if you don't have already.

Good optics can be great help on a so-so factory rifle..... but too often I see or hear of those who spend all their money on having a custom rifle built and put a sub-par optics system on. You would not build a great full size 4X4 truck with big mudders and such then put a tiny 4 cyl motor in it would you?

 

[HighKnob]

Bed, Float, and adjust the trigger, good glass and you might be surpirsed.

 

[Firearrow]

Thanks for the advice guys. My last load that I worked up was a touch under 3/4 moa at 100 yds, and my spot to shot in the National Forrest is snowwed out right now, and I am looking for a new spot to shot further distances. I am going to try a different powder because I am hoping to get a bit more speed from my load becasue the most accurate load was 69.5gr of Hogden 4831sc. I am going to try H1000. For got to mention my scope is a Leupold 4.5-14 LR VX3. I plan on using it until I am ready to go past 500yds. I will probably save up the cash and do the build up at the sametime. Or better yet I could "SAVE" (use the credit card and hope the wife doesn't see) up the cash for the barrel and trigger, and pay cash for the labor.

As for the 800 yd OMG shot a the once in a life time mulie, I just want to say there is no way I would take that shot until I am ready, and until I have made this type of shot time and time again during my field practice sessions. I should of said that my goal is to build up to shooting consistantly at 800 yds.lightbulb

 

[sp6x6]

Your scope is what Greybull builds thier scopes for LRH OUT OF,John has shot coyotes out to 1000 w/scope

 

[B23]

You said Kevin is going to do your work so why not call him up and ask Kevin what would be the best way to go. Kevin is about a straight a shooter, no pun intended, as you're going to find. He is great to work with.

Since barrels take so long to get maybe think about ordering/paying for the barrel first then maybe/hopefully by the time the barrel gets there you will have saved up enough to send you rifle in for the work. Even if you don't have the money by the time the barrel gets there, atleast you will already have it and that's often what takes up soooooo much of the waiting time.

Congrats on your soon to be new family addition.

 

[Firearrow]

My talks with Keven lead me to the same feeling about being honust, and he very helpfull. But being that I am new to the game, a good informed decision comes after getting as much feed back as possible from mutiple sources. I like the idea about just ordering the barrel, then hopefully by then have the cash for the rest of the build.

Thanks for the advice

 

[Firearrow]

Your scope is what Greybull builds thier scopes for LRH OUT OF,John has shot coyotes out to 1000 w/scope

Didn't know that. I figured that since it has the Boon and Crocket reticle 550 was as far as I could get out of it without taking the cap off, and adjusting for elevation at further distances.

 

[diriel]

You might want to consider a new PT&G bolt when you have the action trued. Well worth the price for the peace of mind.

Gary