Customizing start - up

[Varberger757]

It's clear to me that I want to have a rifle in 7 RM ( keeping it easy) latest by May – July 2014. This should be a rifle I will be able to customize easily later on due to finances. To start with, I'm thinking about a 700 CDL LH for that purpose, also because of its 26' barrel and general quality standards. At first, the CDL first will require a free-floating barrel, new trigger assembly (Timney/Jewell) and a decent bedding. Since the CDL has a wooden stock (I like that!), I personally would prefer an epoxy – bedding for both the action and recoil – lug. Am I wrong here and would pillar – bedding being better? Mounting the scope, I was thinking about Talley 2 piece scope mounts with integral 30mm rings. I will use only one scope, so a picatinny – rail might not be necessary?
Is there anything missing or something wrong concerning a customizing start-up? I really would appreciate good inputs and ideas.

 

[jpd676]

That looks like a good start. The only other major things one could do is have the action trued and put on a new barrel, but I bet it will do fine with your upgrades. As far as bedding goes, I think it is best to install the pillars and then do the epoxy bedding over the pillars. The pillars do the majority of the support and the epoxy makes everything smooth and level.

 

[Varberger757]

That looks like a good start. The only other major things one could do is have the action trued and put on a new barrel, but I bet it will do fine with your upgrades. As far as bedding goes, I think it is best to install the pillars and then do the epoxy bedding over the pillars. The pillars do the majority of the support and the epoxy makes everything smooth and level.

Thanks for your input and that you like my image of a gun! I know that pillar bedding is normally the best way, but when it comes to wooden stocks, there might be an issue. I've heard about that pillar bedded wooden stocks often suffer from loose screws after relatively short time. The action will surely be trued as soon as I'm going to buy a new barrel. That's going to be the second step. But maybe it isn't necessary because the rifle will shoot (much) better than 1 MOA. They do pretty often. I forgot to mention that there would be a decent brake installed in the 1. round.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

The 700 is not my first choice for an action to build off of but it will certainly do. Have you considered an M70 Sporter? Not sure if they are available in LH, but if they are that would be my recommendation. The Weatherby Vanguard or Howa would be my first choice but they do not make a rilfe in 26" barrel that I know of.

As for your plans with the 700... wood stocks are very attractive but they are also more prone to weather effects. I agree that pillars are a good idea, especially in a wood stock. And a Jewel or Timney trigger is almost a must. I like Jewels best.

Factory sporter rifles can be very temperamental for accuracy. This is where the Vanguards and Howa's are best IMO as well as better actions.

Good luck with your rifle project!

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Thanks for your input and that you like my image of a gun! I know that pillar bedding is normally the best way, but when it comes to wooden stocks, there might be an issue. I've heard about that pillar bedded wooden stocks often suffer from loose screws after relatively short time. The action will surely be trued as soon as I'm going to buy a new barrel. That's going to be the second step. But maybe it isn't necessary because the rifle will shoot (much) better than 1 MOA. They do pretty often. I forgot to mention that there would be a decent brake installed in the 1. round.

Pillar bedding should be just fine in a wood stock. Wood stocks that aren't pillar bedded will compress after time in my experience.

It doesn't appear that Vanguards and Howas are made in LH actions... too bad

 

[Varberger757]

The 700 is not my first choice for an action to build off of but it will certainly do. Have you considered an M70 Sporter? Not sure if they are available in LH, but if they are that would be my recommendation. The Weatherby Vanguard or Howa would be my first choice but they do not make a rilfe in 26" barrel that I know of.

As for your plans with the 700... wood stocks are very attractive but they are also more prone to weather effects. I agree that pillars are a good idea, especially in a wood stock. And a Jewel or Timney trigger is almost a must. I like Jewels best.

Factory sporter rifles can be very temperamental for accuracy. This is where the Vanguards and Howa's are best IMO as well as better actions.

Good luck with your rifle project!

Thanks for your input. Ok, pillar also for wooden stocks! I got that! Unfortunately, I find neither Vanguard nor Howa lefthanded actions, the same with the M70. That's one of the reasons going for a 700. There are some really good European actions available, but extraordinary expensive in comparison.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Thanks for your input. Ok, pillar also for wooden stocks! I got that! Unfortunately, I find neither Vanguard nor Howa lefthanded actions, the same with the M70. That's one of the reasons going for a 700. There are some really good European actions available, but extraordinary expensive in comparison.

While you are getting your action trued, you might think about replacing the factory recoil lug with a heavy duty one pinned to the receiver.

Google Image Result for http://precisionarmament.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/PRECISION-ARMAMENT-ACCU-LUG-REMINGTON-700-RECOIL-LUG-B1.jpg

 

[Varberger757]

While you are getting your action trued, you might think about replacing the factory recoil lug with a heavy duty one pinned to the receiver.

Google Image Result for http://precisionarmament.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/PRECISION-ARMAMENT-ACCU-LUG-REMINGTON-700-RECOIL-LUG-B1.jpg

I didn't think about it, but a great and useful idea.lightbulb That's no big deal to get done but of immens importance.
That reminds me... Excuse me derailing now but haven't there been always issues round this related to the products of Sako/Tikka. Maybe we should this also to Beretta?!

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I didn't think about it, but a great and useful idea.lightbulb That's no big deal to get done but of immens importance.
That reminds me... Excuse me derailing now but haven't there been always issues round this related to the products of Sako/Tikka. Maybe we should this also to Beretta?!

Actually I was considering this with my Sako and i have heard of some that did do it. But it would not look natural with the Sako shaped receiver and it would require a very different inletted stock

 

[Varberger757]

Actually I was considering this with my Sako and i have heard of some that did do it. But it would not look natural with the Sako shaped receiver and it would require a very different inletted stock

A Swedish friend of mine who had the same problems with his Tikka T3 in 9,3x62 got it fixed another way. I told you before that his smith welded a new steel - lug with TIG - method, but the information wasn't correct, sorry. As far as I understood him the last time we were talking with each other his smith installed a new bed/support for the lug and there he installed a piece of steel to strengthen the system.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Here is how I fixed mine... my smith machined a new lug (from aluminum) for me with a lug that fits into the slot in the bottom of the receiver. As you can see, the original lug does not have a lug that fits into the receiver slot.

However, this did not solve the accuracy problem. I believe it has a bad barrel.

 

[Varberger757]

Here is how I fixed mine... my smith machined a new lug (from aluminum) for me with a lug that fits into the slot in the bottom of the receiver. As you can see, the original lug does not have a lug that fits into the receiver slot.

However, this did not solve the accuracy problem. I believe it has a bad barrel.

Good description with corresponding photographies. I'm just wondering why Sako/Tikka aren't solving the problem because it's known quite a while. If the gun doesn't shoot like you want to after all the efforts it might be best selling it as soon as possible?

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Good description with corresponding photographies. I'm just wondering why Sako/Tikka aren't solving the problem because it's known quite a while.

Very good question. You would think that machining a better lug would not cost that much compared to the $1600 it costs on the shelf here in the US. I got mine for a better price @ $1200 but if it doesn't shoot, it's not even worth that.

If the gun doesn't shoot like you want to after all the efforts it might be best selling it as soon as possible?

I did try selling for $900 but no one wanted a 3 MOA rifle for that price even if it was SAKO.

Next step will be to be to rebarrel it and put it in a McMillan stock. The new chamber will be 6mm SAUM.

So.... I have a $1200 action and a $200 lug for a new build

Not too bad since it is a SAKO which are otherwise excellent actions.


BTW, you might forward these pics to any friends who are having trouble with their lugs.

 

[Varberger757]

Very good question. You would think that machining a better lug would not cost that much compared to the $1600 it costs on the shelf here in the US. I got mine for a better price @ $1200 but if it doesn't shoot, it's not even worth that.





I did try selling for $900 but no one wanted a 3 MOA rifle for that price even if it was SAKO.

Next step will be to be to rebarrel it and put it in a McMillan stock. The new chamber will be 6mm SAUM.

So.... I have a $1200 action and a $200 lug for a new build

Not too bad since it is a SAKO which are otherwise excellent actions.


BTW, you might forward these pics to any friends who are having trouble with their lugs.

Thanks for all the informations, and I will forward these to all I know who think about bying one of the described products! 3 MOA, unbelievable...