Confused!

[Nimrod]

I decided the other day to build my first purpose built long range hunting rifle so I called my local dealer buddy (enabler) to see if he had a suitable rifle for a donor action, turned out he had several that would work so I drove up to see him this afternoon. This rifle was to be specifically for hunting pronghorns and I had decided that it would be a .264 Winchester magnum. I didn't have a real preference between Winchester, Remington or Savage just decided to see what he had. After looking at a half dozen or so different rifles I had it narrowed down to either a stainless 700 in .300 Winchester or a Winchester M70 in 7MM Remington magnum. and then he said hey, I forgot about this one, out from under the counter he drags a nondescript hard case and opens it up to reveal a 700 CDL in 7MM Ultra, caught by surprise I wavered ever so slightly, he pounced like a cat. It comes with bullets, brass and dies too he says. He shot me a price I couldn't pass up and it was all over.

Now comes the confusion, I have this rifle, Brand new RCBS die set, a box of 120 grain Barnes X bullets, a box of 160 grain Sierra boat tails a box of 160 grain Accubonds and 200 brand new shiny cases. The rifle has a brake and is glass bedded and looks like it doesn't have a half dozen rounds down the tube. I figure that after adding the components up that I have a little under $250.00 in the rifle itself so what would you guys do? Sell off the components and take off parts and stick to the .264 plan or go with the 7MM Ultra instead?

 

[azsugarbear]

How does it shoot? If it holds .5 to .75 MOA, then I would toss the idea of a custom build and stick with the CDL. The 7mm calibers have a huge selection of bullets to choose from and the line is extremely versatile. No sense is spending money to achieve accuracy you may already have.

 

[J E Custom]

How does it shoot? If it holds .5 to .75 MOA, then I would toss the idea of a custom build and stick with the CDL. The 7mm calibers have a huge selection of bullets to choose from and the line is extremely versatile. No sense is spending money to achieve accuracy you may already have.

+1

If it shoots, it is a powerful 7mm cartrige and capable of 1000 ft/lbs @ 1000 yards as apposed to
the 264 that is 1000 ft/lbs @ 700 yards. Both using the 140 gr bullets.

300 more yards for deer sized game is significant. And for Elk size game a 160 or 175 grain
bullet will match the trajectory and exceed the downrange energy of the 264 WM.

There is a down side, Recoil is brisk without a break.

J E CUSTOM

 

[dig]

No Brainer, if it shoots keep it, if not rebarel in same Caliber. Very versatile, huge bullet selection with arguable best in class BC. Great looking rifle, multiple uses, recoil is not sharp (pussycat).

 

[HARPERC]

Shoot it until it won't. Then rebarrel.

 

[johnnyk]

Sounds like you've got your LR goat rig. I'd stick with the CDL/7RUM if it shoots .5 MOA (or less), Helluva round. JohnnyK.

 

[FEENIX]

Another vote on keeping (it if it groups well) ... shoot away until it's time for it to be a donor.

Good luck and happy safe hunting/shooting!

 

[ken snyder]

Did the guy light up a crack pipe while he was under the counter - with a price like that something is wrong!!!!

 

[Nimrod]

Did the guy light up a crack pipe while he was under the counter - with a price like that something is wrong!!!!

We have been friends since he opened and he gives me good deals whenever he can but in this case the gun was on consignment and the owner set the price, he had not had a chance to put it on the shelf so I got it minus his commission.

I will probably buy a box of factory ammo and see what it will do at the range before I make a final decision.

Thanks for the input !

Bob

 

[sambo3006]

Another vote for shooting it. My 7mm RUM factory barreled 700 is capable of sterling accuracy. It routinely groups half inch or less at 100 yds and I fired one three shot group of 0.17" with it. Recoil shouldn't be bad at all with a muzzle brake. Recoil on mine was pretty brisk before I got a brake installed but it is a pussycat now.

 

[Nimrod]

I shot it a few times the other day, decided to go ahead and load some ammo and take it to the range this weekend to get an idea what it will do.

A couple of things I noticed were very mild recoil and I could see a big fireball in the scope. I have never noticed this before except in low light situations.

Bob

 

[IdahoJoe]

I say if it isn't broke.....

 

[Lyons7STW]

Heck yeah, shoot it. I woulda been building a 7mm magnum something or other anyway.

 

[Alfred Crouch]

Being the good guy that I am I am going to save you tons of frustration and indecision. Just pack it up and send it to me and I will get a check in the mail for $300 to you. This way You won't have to wonder what to do and I will do all the worrying for you. See how helpful I am.