So I've been back and forth and back and forth about how I want to go about building a new rifle. I'm looking to build a long range hunting rifle in 300 win mag. I want the finished weight of the gun with optics to be around 8-9 lbs. I already have the scope and it's an HST 4-15 and I believe they're 20 oz so I'd rough guess my optics weight will be 30 oz or so.
That being said, I have 3 options bouncing around in my head and initially had a budget of $1500 in my head. Here they are with what I believe to be their pros and cons:
Build off of Rem 700:
Pros:
-initial action purchase is cheaper (I've found SS LA Magnum for $340)
-Unlimited possibilities and accesories
-way more affordable stock options
-no limitations for COAL like a Tikka
Cons:
-needs trigger
-blueprinting is not cheap. I got a quote of around $1000 from LRI for blueprinting, rebarreling, fluting bolt, installing tactical handle, new scope base threads, timing bolt handle, new pinned lug, threaded barrel for brake and beadblasting it all. I know all this isn't necessary for the rifle to perform but it's what I want so I'm not skimping on it to decide I want it later.
-weight? I'm not certain here but I have to assume a till action is lighter than a Remmy but please correct me if I'm wrong.
Total cost: $2000 or so
Action: $340
Stock: $200
Barrel blank $250 (if I'm crafty)
Trigger: 200
Smith work: 800-1000 depending on my options
Tikka build
Pros:
-No action truing or tons of work needed to make it shoot so way less of a Smith bill. Right now I'm looking at around $500 to rebarrel, thread the muzzle and flute the bolt and I'd be happy. I might consider bead blasting it as well.
-Stock trigger is serviceable
-light. I'd have no issue keeping a till within my weight criteria.
Cons:
Higher up front cost for donor rifle ($600 from Whitaker's)
-slow factory barrel so I'd probably rebarrel it right away as I want to shoot the 215s. Barrel blank from tikka performance is 250 + $500 in work
-COAL limitations. I am a reloader and the idea of being limited by magazine length is annoying. I know there are AICS options, but I don't really like those setups for hunting as I don't need to be able to rack off 6 shots. Maybe they offer shorter aics magazines? Idk, I haven't researched much here. But regardless, that's probably $250 for new bottom metal and aics, or shoot the smaller bullets.
-stock options are way slimmer. Stockys has a carbon model I like and if I go this route I'd probably get but it's $567 vs $200 options on the 700 I liked.
TOTAL COST: $2100 or so
Gun: 600
Stock: 567
Barrel: 250
Smith work: 500
Bottom metal: 250
Option 3: buy a Christensen arms mesa and go shoot.
Pros:
-cheapest option $1200
-light
-nice looking
-no coal limitations
Cons
-it won't be "mine". I honestly enjoy the build process so bypassing it while saving money, isnt as much fun.
-stock is a sporter style which isn't want I want.
So anyways, here we are. I really didn't want to spend over $1500. I know there are ways I can save money here and there in the classifieds, or by going with less options at the Smith but I can't help but think I wouldn't end up happy and I'd just spend what ever money I saved later... So I'm willing to save up money, but the only issue is I'I building this to hunt with this fall and I've already offloaded my other 2 rifles to afford this so time is of the essence.
Feel free to pick apart my plans and tell me where I can save $, where I'm totsllt off base or where I should spend MORE money. And of course let me know what you'd do!
That being said, I have 3 options bouncing around in my head and initially had a budget of $1500 in my head. Here they are with what I believe to be their pros and cons:
Build off of Rem 700:
Pros:
-initial action purchase is cheaper (I've found SS LA Magnum for $340)
-Unlimited possibilities and accesories
-way more affordable stock options
-no limitations for COAL like a Tikka
Cons:
-needs trigger
-blueprinting is not cheap. I got a quote of around $1000 from LRI for blueprinting, rebarreling, fluting bolt, installing tactical handle, new scope base threads, timing bolt handle, new pinned lug, threaded barrel for brake and beadblasting it all. I know all this isn't necessary for the rifle to perform but it's what I want so I'm not skimping on it to decide I want it later.
-weight? I'm not certain here but I have to assume a till action is lighter than a Remmy but please correct me if I'm wrong.
Total cost: $2000 or so
Action: $340
Stock: $200
Barrel blank $250 (if I'm crafty)
Trigger: 200
Smith work: 800-1000 depending on my options
Tikka build
Pros:
-No action truing or tons of work needed to make it shoot so way less of a Smith bill. Right now I'm looking at around $500 to rebarrel, thread the muzzle and flute the bolt and I'd be happy. I might consider bead blasting it as well.
-Stock trigger is serviceable
-light. I'd have no issue keeping a till within my weight criteria.
Cons:
Higher up front cost for donor rifle ($600 from Whitaker's)
-slow factory barrel so I'd probably rebarrel it right away as I want to shoot the 215s. Barrel blank from tikka performance is 250 + $500 in work
-COAL limitations. I am a reloader and the idea of being limited by magazine length is annoying. I know there are AICS options, but I don't really like those setups for hunting as I don't need to be able to rack off 6 shots. Maybe they offer shorter aics magazines? Idk, I haven't researched much here. But regardless, that's probably $250 for new bottom metal and aics, or shoot the smaller bullets.
-stock options are way slimmer. Stockys has a carbon model I like and if I go this route I'd probably get but it's $567 vs $200 options on the 700 I liked.
TOTAL COST: $2100 or so
Gun: 600
Stock: 567
Barrel: 250
Smith work: 500
Bottom metal: 250
Option 3: buy a Christensen arms mesa and go shoot.
Pros:
-cheapest option $1200
-light
-nice looking
-no coal limitations
Cons
-it won't be "mine". I honestly enjoy the build process so bypassing it while saving money, isnt as much fun.
-stock is a sporter style which isn't want I want.
So anyways, here we are. I really didn't want to spend over $1500. I know there are ways I can save money here and there in the classifieds, or by going with less options at the Smith but I can't help but think I wouldn't end up happy and I'd just spend what ever money I saved later... So I'm willing to save up money, but the only issue is I'I building this to hunt with this fall and I've already offloaded my other 2 rifles to afford this so time is of the essence.
Feel free to pick apart my plans and tell me where I can save $, where I'm totsllt off base or where I should spend MORE money. And of course let me know what you'd do!