First custom rifle build (flood me with your suggestions or advice)

Alex wheeler has 6mm creedmoor with targets at a thousand yards for sale right now. Give you an idea of what a nice hunting weight setup can do in that bore diameter.

Hugnot said:

I have been very pleased with various .243 W's over many years and have used them for multiple purposes including NRA Hi-Power up to 600 yards. The .243W has won many events & is a practical cartridge and does very well with 87-107 grain bullets using powders in the 4350-4831 range. My current .243W a common Ruger MKII, has a 26", #4 McGowen, 8 twist barrel and weighs about 8.5 pounds with a 4.5-14X50 Leupold LRP scope. As for the 6mmX47Lapua - pricy to get started, limited availability but high quality Lapua brass at about $1.20 ea. but a worthy cartridge. The 6mm CM might also be considered.

Click to expand...

Awesome! I do like the 243 and will do some research on the 6cm too.

338 dude said:

Well you've got a great action you picked a very good caliber I would go with an eight twist barrel any of the top brand names although I like the looks of a proof carbon barrel (I've had several and they have all shot great one half minute or less)have an prefer nightforce optics and I also like manners stocks (EH1a)View attachment 273901

Click to expand...

Great info! Thanks!
Very nice looking setup there! I think I am sold on the Nf then! Will be my first but would much rather buy once, cry once. the feedback I get on those things is just unreal.

Rick Richard said:

Well, you mentioned Mule deer so I would go with the 6.5X47 instead of the 6x47. Trust me, the 6.5X47 has a little more umph and is extremely accurate and consistent with the right setup. I also use mine for bench work mostly and the occasional antelope and deer hunt.

Click to expand...

Good to know. Had not considered that but sure will now. I am excited to get one of those hunts under my belt

Ranger Rick said:

I have a Manners EH-1, McMillan Game Warden and AG Composite Visigoth stocks. My favorite is the AG Comp.
You will need to choose your bottom metal magazine style ala BDL or DBM. Have fun - there is something special about building your own rifle

Click to expand...

Very interesting. With McMillan and manners experience I am intrigued with your nod toward AG that is for sure something i hadn't considered and will check out. Also for the bottom metal I actually went with a single shot - the thought was (based on feedback) that it would keep everything more rigid without the missing mag material. What are you're thoughts on bottom for that and the single shot direction?
And I agree. I love it so far can't wait until it's done!

jeremy_f24 said:

Very interesting. With McMillan and manners experience I am intrigued with your nod toward AG that is for sure something i hadn't considered and will check out. Also for the bottom metal I actually went with a single shot - the thought was (based on feedback) that it would keep everything more rigid without the missing mag material. What are you're thoughts on bottom for that and the single shot direction?
And I agree. I love it so far can't wait until it's done!

Click to expand...

With the caliber range you are considering, stiffness in the action as a requirement would be negligible. I would go with BDL type bottom works with extended setup.

Bob Wright said:

The 6mm bullet is an excellent killer and it seems to fit your needs as a midrange performer, lighter animals.
All the rest is getting into personal preference. My rifles weigh more, larger calibers. I'm 64 and it took me a while to figure out that "sitting and glassing" and not tromping around, exposes way more animals in the desert SW.
With that in mind, a 24-26" medium contour barrel fits my needs. A light composite stock, a great adjustable bipod, 14 power or higher scope, high end quality, would probably net about 10 lbs or less. That could get you to 600 on a calm day I would roughly estimate. But, I would try to close that gap to be sure.
If I built that with my gunsmith, I would guess you'll be ready to shoot after spending $2700 or more, since you have the action.
Reloading supplies, optional $$.

Click to expand...

Awesome feedback. This is what I love about this forum—the experience, knowledge and responses are just amazing. Sure do appreciate it! Have enjoyed everyone's replies and input!

I remember my first...honestly it's a drug.lol. Every time I build a rifle I say it's my last. Then 4-5 months later I get the itch again.

For your build I'd go 8 twist. Can still sling that 105 grn Berger. If you want to step it up to the 115 I'd speed it up to 7 twist. As for what custom barrel I have 3 carbon barrels right now, 4 SS (3 Bartlein, 2 Proof, 1 Brux, 1 Xcaliber). In order or favorite: SS Bartlien (most accurate), SS Brux (easiest to clean), carbon Proof, Carbon Bartlein (just heavy), SS Xcaliber.
As much as it pains me to say anything creed I'd go 6mm creed if looking for non wildcat. Next 243 or 6mm, then if wanting to go wildcat I'd go 6 SST (assuming you have a .473 bolt out of the question).
Of note my only 6mm is a 6 Dasher, at it shoots amazing (the Xcaliber barrel). Zero recoil with a brake and gun to shoot!

Had a custom 243 built on a sako L579. Sent the original 220 swift barrel in to brux and they traced it, so what ever a sako sporter is, that is the barrel contour. Used the original sako wood stock and had straight shot gunsmithing bed it and do all the rest of the work also. Built this thing 13 years ago or so and it's been my main squeeze ever since. It shoots Berger 95 vld's @ 3240 with H4350 and has a 26" barrel. Can't say enough good things about the brux barrel. I can't remember ever using a bronze brush in it and have used wipe out and bore tech exclusively. I've never regretted going with the 243.

nwmnbowhunter said:

Need a goal.

Hunting? Hiking/ carrying? Game? Distance?

I also prefer my rifle to be able to hunt with.

I don't like heavy rifles.... but they need to be solid enough to hit something way out there

Pesonally I'd go
Manners EH-2
#3 or fluted #4 steel or #4 bartlein carbon
22 inch - and twist for whatever bullet you want
I wouldn't put a brake on it, but if you did it would barely move for spotting shots.

Click to expand...

Cooper model 92

jeremy_f24 said:

First off I am an avid hunter, absolutely new and green to the reloading process and long range shooting. I have a cousin that is a genius at this and have talked much with him on suggestions / feedback which has led me to start shying away from standard rifles and delve into custom.
my question is: based on the wealth of knowledge and experiences present here I welcome your thoughts and feedback on how you would conduct the build - any details are appreciated.
I have a Defiance Deviant (short / medium) action with a jewell trigger. I am between McMillan or manners stock and all but sold on nightforce optic. My goal is 6x47 lapua.
barrel preferences on twist, make, style, anything welcome. Fire away
Thanks in advance!

Click to expand...

6mm twist is typically 7.5
I avoid proof barrels to many lemons- I'm a little bias because people bring them to me to "fix" I'm sure it's a low percentage but I see a lot of them.

I'll repeat what other are asking. What is your goal? What do you want to do with said rifle? Target? Hunt? What kind of hunting? 100% stalk? Safari style in a high seat or a blind? What types of game?

all of these things need to be answered. Pardon the pun but there is no "silver bullet" option. You can specialize the rifle and ammo for a specific purpose and it will be expected to perform flawlessly for that purpose. Or a general purpose rifle that does most things pretty good but not the highest level.
custom rifles are specialized IMO.

Rick Richard said:

Well, you mentioned Mule deer so I would go with the 6.5X47 instead of the 6x47. Trust me, the 6.5X47 has a little more umph and is extremely accurate and consistent with the right setup. I also use mine for bench work mostly and the occasional antelope and deer hunt.

Click to expand...

I would second this if hunting is your main objective. If it will be more long range steel then the 6mm's are perfect. For antelope the 6mm is more than adequate. The 6.5 gives you more heavier hunting bullet choices for mule deer and elk.

I use a 6BR with a 105 hybrid out to 1800 yards in NRL comps. I hunt with a 6.5 SS for elk. Once you hunt out west for mule deer you'll be back for elk.

I just did my first build a year and a half ago. Almost went with a 6.5 PRC but decided against it at the last minute and went with a 7 SAUM instead. Leaves my more options and peace of mind if we decide to use it for elk also.

Good luck, sounds like you are off to a good start! Hopefully you don't have to many issues finding all your reloading components.

Another vote for AG Composite stock, I think they're a bit underrated. A little more affordable than manners, and you'll probably get it much faster too.

I also went with a Proof Carbon barrel, Pre-fit for Defiance. Local gunsmith torqued it on for $25. He said headspace came in almost perfect.