First Custom Build

[chav0_12]

I currently have a Weatherby Vanguard in 22-250, I decided this is going to be my first donor rifle. I don't want to get too ridiculous with speed so I was thinking the 22-250 AI is the route I want to go, I was also thinking a 260 AI. I sort of want this gun to stay moderately lightweight and was thinking around a 24"-26" barrel, so I could still walk the mountains with this and not get too wore out.

So I need help locating a good gunsmith in Arizona, Phoenix area preferably, and also need to know what kind of barrel I should put on this thing. I also want to know what sort of work I should get done on the action and how much that sort of thing costs. What is the best trigger for the Howa actions without going too high in price? The stock, I will figure that out later, not too sure what I want this thing to look like yet.

Thanks for all the help,

Chav0_12

 

[RockyMtnMT]

What are you going to shoot with your new rifle?

Steve

 

[jarnold37]

Not saying not to build on your action, but a Remington or better yet a custom action would be an easier platform to modify into an accurate rifle. I have a 22-250AI built on a sleeved 700. It is in a heavy varmint BR stock (like a 700 classic stock but flat 3" forarm.) If you are going to walk around with your rifle, you probably will have to sacrifice accuracy-due to light overall weight-You cannot have everything. Depending what you intend to do with it determines a lot- a carry around rifle, to hunt what? A 22-250 is not a deer rifle, and a 260 is questionable especially at distance. The heavier and stiffer the barrel the more accurate, but there is a tradeoff. The only advantage of a light gun is its ease of carry and handling at the expense of accuracy. Also, I do not like forming brass. Most people dont. The AI chambering does increase capacity but a lot more work. When your primer pockects stretch (from maximum loads) you will hate to throw your brass away and start over. You can get 3950-4000fps with 55 grn bullets in the 22-250 AI. You can also get 4100fps in a bone stock 243 with 55grn bullets. A lot to consider, I know.

 

[shortgrass]

A 22-250 is not a deer rifle, and a 260 is questionable especially at distance. The heavier and stiffer the barrel the more accurate, but there is a tradeoff.

Agreed, the .22-250 isn't a deer rifle, although many use then where legal. The .260 Rem. w/140g bullet launched at 2800fps. still has 950+ ft.lbs. of energy @ 500yds. I regulary build rifles with #3 & #4 contour barrels that shoot 1/2" and smaller 3 shot groups @100yds. Heavy barrels just take longer to heat up, important for longer 'strings of fire'. Intended use must be taken into consideration. Bench rest rifles have no place in the field for a 'carry rifle', hunting rifles won't be competitive at a bench rest match.

 

[chav0_12]

What are you going to shoot with your new rifle?

Steve

Depending what caliber I chose, if I chose the 22-250 AI I would use it as a coyote/ light varmint rig. If I went in the direction of the 260 AI I may still use it as a coyote rifle, and maybe even let my wife carry it as a deer rifle.

If it was a 22-250 AI I would most definately not be shooting 55gr bullets out of it, more like 75gr, I have a 223 I can shoot 55gr out of. If I went with the 260 AI I would want to be in the range of around 120 gr or more. I want to stay around the 3000-3300 fps range which I'm sure both of these could do just fine with with those weight bullets while still giving me exceptional ballistics for a hunting rifle.

 

[Kevin Cram]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the Weatherby Vanguard action. It's a great action but not a ton of aftermarket parts available. A 22-250 Ackley, 26" 1-7 or 1-8 twist barrel with 75 grain A-max bullets charged with H4831SC will get you around 3000 fps. I use a lot of Brux barrels with very good success and highly recommend them but I also use several other top name barrel mfg's. I'd recommend having the action blueprinted when getting the new barrel installed. Rifle Basix makes a nice Varmint trigger for the Vanguard that is adjustable from 12 oz to 1 1/2 lbs ( $140). Or there is a their standard replacement trigger that's adjustable from 1 1/2 lbs - 4 lbs ($130). I know I'm not from Arizona but if your willing to ship your rifle out to have work done I'd be glad to talk options and price about your project.

 

[chav0_12]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the Weatherby Vanguard action. It's a great action but not a ton of aftermarket parts available. A 22-250 Ackley, 26" 1-7 or 1-8 twist barrel with 75 grain A-max bullets charged with H4831SC will get you around 3000 fps. I use a lot of Brux barrels with very good success and highly recommend them but I also use several other top name barrel mfg's. I'd recommend having the action blueprinted when getting the new barrel installed. Rifle Basix makes a nice Varmint trigger for the Vanguard that is adjustable from 12 oz to 1 1/2 lbs ( $140). Or there is a their standard replacement trigger that's adjustable from 1 1/2 lbs - 4 lbs ($130). I know I'm not from Arizona but if your willing to ship your rifle out to have work done I'd be glad to talk options and price about your project.

What exactly would blueprinting the action consist of and what does this do? How much would all this cost? I was personally looking at the Timney trigger, I've heard nothing but good things about them. What sort of accuracy could be expected when all the work is done?

What about the 260 AI pushing 120 gr pills?

Thanks Alot,

Chav0_12

 

[Kevin Cram]

When I blueprint an action I take out all of the inconsistencies from the factory production tolerances. I base all my cuts off of the center line of the actions bolt bore. I use GTR tooling to indicate the action in true axial alignment to less then .0002" I then single point face the action and internal locking lugs just enough for a full clean up. I then single point bore the tops of the threads for a full clean up keeping track of the amount of material removed. I'll then pick up the thread pitch and single point re-cut the threads true. When finished you'll have a production action that has all critical surfaces true to the bolt bore center line. I'll transfer these measurements onto the new barrel tenon when chambering the barrel. I then indicate the bolt in true in a Labounty bolt fixture and single point cut the the locking lugs and bolt face true. Cost for a full action blueprint like this is $150.

The Timney is another good choice for a aftermarket trigger.

With proper bedding, scope installation and loading you'll have no trouble shooting 3 shot 1/2 moa or less.

The 260 Ackley is another fine choice. I personally have not been able to get as good of results long range with the 120 grain 6.5mm bullets as I have been using the 140 grain 6.5mm class bullets mostly due to a better B.C. Your velocity is a little slower around 2850 fps with a 140 grain bullet but in a 1-8 twist barrel you'll get very good results.