First custom build and I have a couple questions.

[pburton]

After a couple of years of semi customs I decided to have a full custom hunting rifle built. It will start with a Rem 700 action trued/blueprinted. (which was completed yesterday) Bartlein 3b contour, 9 twist, finished at 26". HS precision stock and Zeiss glass. It will be in 7mm rem mag. As of yet I have not decided on a trigger. I have used Timney in the past and like them but is Jewel a better option? For a hunting rifle I like about a 2# squeeze. Also should I upgrade to a better recoil lug or is the factory lug sufficient? Then there is the crown. I was under the impression that crowns don't really make a difference. Just there to protect the rifling. But does it matter? I would like to hear your opinions. Thanks

 

[varmintH8R]

I will comment on your trigger question. I have both Timney and Jewell. IMO, the Jewell is a smoother trigger. With that said, I hunt with both and in a field situation I find that there is no appreciable difference in performance (they both get it done!).

Brandon

 

[Brewer]

I always thought a custom was on custom action and a semi-custom was on a factory trued action? I have a rem 700 that I have had done. the only thing left from the factory is the action and the bolt, though both have been through the mill and lathe. As far as the crown is concerned, you are correct, it just protects the rifling, no magic there. +1 on the Jewel, have both, like the Jewel better though, I like it set at 1#. As far as the recoil lug, my smith put one on and bedded the action. It probably depends on haw far you want to shoot it, and how anal you are about accuracy. I figured that while I am spending the money, I'll just save for another couple of months and do it right. Good Luck!

 

[trebark]

Trigger: no question, go with Jewell. They are simply the best. Two friends of mine have had Timney triggers and both of them have failed! (one of them twice!)

Recoil Lug: Personally, I like Holland recoil lugs. They are quality steel, 1/4" thick (which is thicker than a factory lug) and are completely parallel. The other option is to have the factory lug milled so that it is parallel.

Crown: go with something that recesses the rifling below the end of the barrel. This will protect the rifling should you drop the rifle or it slide off when leaned against a tree.

For your 7mag, shoot the 168 or 180grain bullets.

 

[Canadian Bushman]

Trigger : Jewel hands down

Recoil lug : I like fat beefy ones but dont think it matters.

Crown : like this one

 

[pburton]

You are right this isn't a full custom. But it really doesn't matter to me. This is the first rifle I am having built. I appreciate all of the responses. The gunsmith that is building this for me told me to consider the Jewel triggers. I have a brand new Timney for this action sitting on my work bench. So I figure that I would ask the question about Jewels. I pretty much knew what the answer was going to be. The gunsmith offered to mill the factory recoil lug and I was not sure what to tell him. That is why I asked about aftermarket lugs. I will have him mill the factory lug. As far as the crown goes he really didn't have an opinion. So a recessed crown sounds like the way I will go. Thanks again for the input. This helped me finalize my decisions.

 

[pburton]

And as far as bullets go, I have three that I am going to try. 168gr LRX, 160gr accubonds, and 154gr Interbonds. I was thinking about going to the 180gr burgers but all I can find currently is the target version. I have 4 different powders I will be trying also. IMR 4350, RL 19, RL 22, and IMR 7828ssc. I would love to try H1000 but can't find it anywhere. I have new Norma brass and using Winchester magnum rifle primers. I should be able to get something that will work. Thanks again everyone.
Paul

 

[MudRunner2005]

And as far as bullets go, I have three that I am going to try. 168gr LRX, 160gr accubonds, and 154gr Interbonds. I was thinking about going to the 180gr burgers but all I can find currently is the target version. I have 4 different powders I will be trying also. IMR 4350, RL 19, RL 22, and IMR 7828ssc. I would love to try H1000 but can't find it anywhere. I have new Norma brass and using Winchester magnum rifle primers. I should be able to get something that will work. Thanks again everyone.
Paul

Just skip all that nonsense, and go straight to the Berger 168 and 180 offerings.

As for powders, 7828 SSC is what I have narrowed down for my magnum calibers. Used to use Reloder 19, 22, and H1000, but no longer use them because they're temp instability and massive variance between powder lots.

Triggers....Jewell is the best, Timneys are nice, too. A well-adjusted old style Remington trigger will work great, too, for hunting applications.

These are just simply my opinions, though. Good luck. And it sounds like you're gonna have a nice rifle. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

[Canadian Bushman]

Just skip all that nonsense, and go straight to the Berger 168 and 180 offerings.

+1.

 

[MudRunner2005]

FYI, the Target Bergers fly IDENTICAL to the Hunting Bergers.....So, if you can find target models for now, use them and develop your load, then when you find some hunting models, load up 5 of them with your target load, and test to verify that they fly the exact same (since bullets tend to vary from lot-to-lot, but Bergers seem to be very consistant, from my experience with them).

 

[pburton]

Mudrunner- I appreciate the feedback. I have considered bergers for some time. But I continue to worry about their performance at shorter distances. With my hunting experience here in Nevada I have had my fare share of long distance opportunities but have killed some of my biggest animals at under 200 yards. This is why I have been considering more of a bonded bullet. Also wouldn't I have to have my gunsmith throat this for the 180's? Thanks again for your help.
Paul

 

[MudRunner2005]

Mudrunner- I appreciate the feedback. I have considered bergers for some time. But I continue to worry about their performance at shorter distances. With my hunting experience here in Nevada I have had my fare share of long distance opportunities but have killed some of my biggest animals at under 200 yards. This is why I have been considering more of a bonded bullet. Also wouldn't I have to have my gunsmith throat this for the 180's? Thanks again for your help.
Paul

Shot 2 deer with my 7mm RemMag between 175-225 this past year. I was pushing 168's @ 3,115 fps MV. They performed flawlessly. Bullet placement has more to do with anything, than bullet selection. However, the Bergers, when you put one in the low-rib area (heart/lung shot), in that dimple behind the shoulder, it should have no problems entering, then leaving that classic Berger 2-3" borehole exit wound out the other side. You hit 'em in the vitals, they're gonna drop quickly. The first one I rib-shot (lungs), bullet expanded properly, and she dropped 15 yards away, with a big ole 2" exit wound. The 2nd one got a heart-shot, and the bullet did NOT expand (I think the tip had gotten boogered up somehow between the house to the stand). However, to prove the bullet placement comment, when hit, she dropped where she stood, and never moved again. I love it when I don't have to trail one. Makes for a nice easy hunt. LOL

About the throating....No, you don't. Folks will tell you that you need to, but it's not necessary. My smith is more than qualified in every aspect of weapons, and I asked him about it, and he said that he doesn't even do it on his own rifles. Not to mention, that I shoot Bergers in almost every one of my rifles, and NONE of them are special throated, and they all shoot them just fine.

 

[wbyfireman]

+2 on Berger 168 or 180's
+1 on IMR 7828ssc, I get 3080fps with 168's and this powder with only a 24 1/4" barrel

 

[pburton]

MudRunner- My gunsmith told me the same thing, that he never does that on any of his rifles. But I read so much stuff. It gets a little confusing sometimes. Same thing goes for the Berger bullets. I am willing to give them a try if I can find any. Those are some impressive velocities with 168's. I assume that is from a 26" or longer tube? I was going into this hoping I could get 3000 with 168's. Thanks again for your input and everyone else's also.