Gunsmith recommendations for wife’s 7mm rem build

andy10401

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2020
Messages
105
Location
Alaska
Hey guys I am looking for recommendations on a gunsmith for a custom rifle build in 7mm Rem
Mag for my wife. Thanks I'm advance for the help.
 
What are you looking to have done? Most gunsmiths have a typical pattern. Most, not all.
 
What are you looking to have done? Most gunsmiths have a typical pattern. Most, not all.
I'm wanting to have a hunting rifle built for the wife. biggest things are getting fluting on the barrel, purple ish color pattern for the stock and a muzzle break
 
What action?
Whose barrel?
Whose stock?
Without particulars no one can build or recommend anything.
Alex Wheeler, Pearce or a handful of others could build you a rifle.
McWhorter make a very nice rifle. So do Gunwerks.

Cheers.
 
What action?
Whose barrel?
Whose stock?
Without particulars no one can build or recommend anything.
Alex Wheeler, Pearce or a handful of others could build you a rifle.
McWhorter make a very nice rifle. So do Gunwerks.

Cheers.
Sorry for being so vague on the original post. I'm truly keeping an open mind to what people on this forum would have to say based on their personal experiences for this build. I personally don't have enough knowledge in custom rifle or customization of rifles. I know there are a lot of individuals building rifles and I am looking for suggestions on quality gun makers that specialize in hunting rifles (I apologize I am a knuckle dragger and my writing is horrible)
 
Maybe it would help answering some basics…
ballpark budget?
why 7mm rem mag?
how will you determine the right gun fit? Stock fitting is what I'm talking about. Basically she has to know what factory rifles feel good in her hands and in shooting position
3 things that would make it feel custom?
Maybe some details on this purple finish
Wood or plastic stock?
custom action or tuned action?
 
Maybe it would help answering some basics…
ballpark budget?
why 7mm rem mag?
how will you determine the right gun fit? Stock fitting is what I'm talking about. Basically she has to know what factory rifles feel good in her hands and in shooting position
3 things that would make it feel custom?
Maybe some details on this purple finish
Wood or plastic stock?
custom action or tuned action?
Absolutely

I was going with the 7rem mag for her to have enough knock down power for animals up here in Alaska without having such a stout recoil as the big 30's.

For stock fit I have had her get behind a handful of different rifles I own (Weatherby MK V, Remington 700, savage 110, Bergara b-14 and b-14 wilderness ridge and tikka. Her favorite was the b-14 wilderness ridge.

For the stock it would be synthetic and have a purple grayish pattern to it (purple is her favorite color) leaning towards a sponged on look.

Definitely a custom action. I have heard good things about buying a regular action and having it tuned. However I figured if I'm gonna spend the money (only plan on doing it once) I mine as well go with the custom action.
 
So, sticking with the 7RM, get a 1:8 twist so you can shoot heavy for caliber bullets (180 to195), get it throated properly to seat the longer bullets out in the cartridge, a mag box/detachable box mag to fit the longer bullets and either put a brake on it or a suppressor. The mag box/ magazine may drive you to specific gun stocks and an action to feed these cartridges and accept the custom magazine system you choose. As always fit the length of "pull" on the stock to your wife. There are plenty of options to accommodate this, so talk to your Smith and start ordering. You're not asking for too much at this point. Make her comfortable to shoot this rifle from the bench, prone, standing or sitting. Weight of the system is critical for her.
 
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Absolutely

I was going with the 7rem mag for her to have enough knock down power for animals up here in Alaska without having such a stout recoil as the big 30's.

For stock fit I have had her get behind a handful of different rifles I own (Weatherby MK V, Remington 700, savage 110, Bergara b-14 and b-14 wilderness ridge and tikka. Her favorite was the b-14 wilderness ridge.

For the stock it would be synthetic and have a purple grayish pattern to it (purple is her favorite color) leaning towards a sponged on look.

Definitely a custom action. I have heard good things about buying a regular action and having it tuned. However I figured if I'm gonna spend the money (only plan on doing it once) I mine as well go with the custom action.
Fortunately, that is a pretty std stock pattern. You might measure forearm width, grip width and lop…..then compare to similar appearing stocks from B&C, McMillan, AG, etc. To me, stock feel is a big part of what custom is.

Your stock colors….cool idea, but I would ask your gunsmith if they have experience with hunting durable paint. Another option would be getting a McMillan molded in color job using the colors and percentages you want to see.

How will she carry it? Sling? Which sling? Muzzle up or down? I ask because putting 4 flush cups in a stock and eliminating studs has improved my carry a lot and rides in bags better. FWIW, I carry muzzle down, sling mounted to side of the rifle. Helps balance weight front to back.

Also, will she shoot off a bipod or tripod? Up front is the time to put an ARCA rail or bipod rail on the stock.

Custom actions…wow! So many choices. Any thoughts on the Bighorn Origin? It is a dlc coated ChroMo action….but they also make a SS action. A nice side benefit is the replaceable bolt head, in case the mag is determined to be too much.

That rifle is a BDL. I like BDL for a hunting rifle, but what does she want. I'm guessing aluminum BDL.

You might consider a #2 or #3 contour to keep the weight manageable. Also, I don't know your wife, but my wife would much rather have a #2 at 18" vs a theoretically better #3 at 24". Weight and balance would suit here better.

Also, a brake is great for recoil control, but loud. On a rifle for my wife, I'd consider a can, if legal hunting where we're at.

Where should it balance for her? Stock rifles balance right on or in front of the front action bolt. PRS rifles often balance 2-3" forward to rest on front bags better. I prefer hunting rifles to balance on that front bolt up to about 1" to the rear. If I'm 90-100% shooting off a rest, 1-2" in front of the bolt is better.

Dennis Olson, Plains MT, just made me a similar rifle, except based on a Win 70 action.

Just some things to think about.
 
Regardless of the application, a "custom" rifle is just that- tailored to your specific needs.
For hunting rifles, I'd ask the following...
What game? Maximum expected range? This will provide guidance for minimal energy requirements when selecting chambering.
How critical is weight? Big difference between toting it to a stand, and a high-altitude, multi-day pack trip.
Weight requirements, chambering selected will then help determine barrel length and contour.
Stock selection-chassis? fiberglass? wood? (traditional or laminate?) Weight requirements affect suitability here. This selection is of course part of the aesthetics- what "look" do you want to achieve; from a traditional blued/walnut stock to aluminum chassis system/Cerakote.

That's a start.
 
Absolutely

I was going with the 7rem mag for her to have enough knock down power for animals up here in Alaska without having such a stout recoil as the big 30's.

For stock fit I have had her get behind a handful of different rifles I own (Weatherby MK V, Remington 700, savage 110, Bergara b-14 and b-14 wilderness ridge and tikka. Her favorite was the b-14 wilderness ridge.

For the stock it would be synthetic and have a purple grayish pattern to it (purple is her favorite color) leaning towards a sponged on look.

Definitely a custom action. I have heard good things about buying a regular action and having it tuned. However I figured if I'm gonna spend the money (only plan on doing it once) I mine as well go with the custom action.
Boyd's may have a laminate stock in your requested color. I refinished a stock for a build for one of my grand daughters and made my own stain using rubbing alcohol & a reddish clothes die. She has nicknamed it "pinky" and the desired pinkish color is evident and is brought out by the sling I put on it for her which has pink trim and highlights in the stitching. She has bagged several whitetails and a black bear with it.
 
Here is Kyra with a doe she took on the last day of Wisconsin's rifle season last year. Also the day her mother was released from covid hospitilization! Kyra had reasons to smile. "Pinky" has never let her down.
It is a savage 110 with a take off 243 barrel
 

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Give us a call at Pierce Engineering. We built a rifle for an Alaskan customer not long ago. The shop number is below. Thank you!

517-321-5051
Yeah that was me and it is a very nice rifle! nice shooter too 😉 highly recommend the guys at Pierce, they will take care of you.
 

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