Help me build a mule deer rifle

[SansSouci]

Help m build a mule deer rifle looking to stay at 10 lbs bare rifle. Looking for recommendations on stock, action, barrel contour and length, and caliber recommendations. Looking to shoot out to a max of 700yds.

Where are you hoping to hunt mule deer?

 

[RevJim]

I have always used either a Mod 700 Classic it seems or a Winchester 70 FWT Classic in 25-06 to 300 winamg on mule deer, cause that's the way I like to hunt, up in the edges of aspen/black timber. Over the years I've had all sporter weight rifles in 7mm Rem & RUMs, my first 300RUM, 338 RUM, 340W (ultralight) 338WM, several 300Wins, all good, never killed game with any of them over 375yds! For grins a few years back, and my last rifle set up for long range hunting was a simple Mod 700 SPS SS, in 300 RUM. I had it Pillar bedded in the factory stock, Timney Trigger installed, muzzlebrake added. I had an older leupold VIII in 4.5x14AO sent off to Leupold and had their CDS turret added. I had it set up for the Nosler Custom factory load with the 180PT (this load shot an honest .5" out to 300yds, never shot it on paper past that, just rocks way past) . It worked out to dial in right to 900yds. It weighed right at 10lbs all up and ready. I din't have a lot of money tied up in that rig, and it was my last, never hunted with it, sold it all. I decided I was changing my hunt methods, etc. Getting older. Now, I have a long range capable Mod 700 in 358 Norma Mag (especially with the Barnes 180TTSX DoubleTap ammo, but I will end up using 200-220 Barnes & Hammer) handloads), 25" #4 Shilen in a Brown Precision High Country, Nikon 4x12 on it that weighs about the same, more like 9#. I "can" shoot way over there, but I don't. I just like to hammer elk from up close to a max of 400...that's as far as I want to pack one out, ha. So, lots of rifles 'can" work out for your specs, and won't cost anywhere near $4500...but if you got it, want it, that's enough reason! For sure, if one wants to regularly take game past 400yds, every $dime spent resulting in accuracy is worth it. Good luck to you pard!

 

[hawk45]

Ryan at Piercision Rifles is a really good guy and super easy to work with. He did some work on one of my rifles and could't be happier. This is an older thread so would love to see the outcome.

 

[RMulhern]

.308 Winchester!

You'll be HAPPY....if you do!!

 

[Standbanger]

I would more than likely build a 280 Ackley or 7STW

 

[toddc]

A 7mm build would be LOGICAL for this spec. HOWEVER the ultimate 700 yd rig would be a UM or LM class 338 running 185s about 3600. Lazer flat and will outwind a 300 SMK out to 700 all day long. TOF is uhhhh nothing. Won't kick much more than a 7mm throwing a 180. Put a brake on it and done.
This isn't a conventional LR build but that combo will out kill a 300 SMK out to 1k.
1k and its over.
Spec is for a .7k gun though.

 

[lancetkenyon]

R700 LA BDL trued
26" #3 fluted Bartlein w. APA Micro Bastard brake contoured to match
Manners EH-2
Timney CE
Seekins alloy 20MOA Picatinny rail
Seekins alloy medium rings
Vortex Razor Gen I 5-20x50 (heavy pig that will be replaced by March 3-24x52)
7 Rem Mag
Shoots 180 Berger Hybrid @ 3000fps into .2s
Built by Phoenix Custom Rifles

Weighs right at 10# as it sits, I will lose an additional 11oz when the March goes on.

 

[SteveBurton]

R700 LA BDL trued
26" #3 fluted Bartlein w. APA Micro Bastard brake contoured to match
Manners EH-2
Timney CE
Seekins alloy 20MOA Picatinny rail
Seekins alloy medium rings
Vortex Razor Gen I 5-20x50 (heavy pig that will be replaced by March 3-24x52)
7 Rem Mag
Shoots 180 Berger Hybrid @ 3000fps into .2s
Built by Phoenix Custom Rifles

Weighs right at 10# as it sits, I will lose an additional 11oz when the March goes on.

That's a good looking rifle. I have talked to Keith a couple of times about a new build and will meet with him after his hunt next week. I would like to meet up with some other LRH members in the Valley.

Spectre29, have you received your rifle yet?

 

[wackinandstackin243]

After reading this entire thread, I sure hope the story doesn't end with a guy not getting his custom rifle in time for hunting season.

I'm hoping to be the proud owner of a GA Precision 6.5 Gap4s by next time I draw a deer tag. I just wish that cartridge would become more commercialized with better brass availability. I might just blueprint and rebarrel my 7mm rem mag instead.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Not much more I can add. But here is some...

Rem 700 SA BDL trued by Phoenix Custom Rifles
27.5" Bartlein "Sendero" contour 1:8" w. Badger Thruster brake
Manners T2A stock
Timney CE trigger @ 8oz.
PCR knob
Cerakote in Coyote Tan & custom stock paint (by yours truly)
Seekins 20MOA Picatinny & Seekins 6/4 34mm low rings
Kahles K624i 6-24-56 w. SKMR reticle
Chambered in 6.5 SLR (uses .260 Rem brass, but with 6.5x47 L neck/shoulder design)
Pushes 140 Berger HVLD @ 2940fps or 127 Barnes LRX @ 3010fps
Total weight 15+#

My 14 year old daughter just took her mule deer 2 days ago @ 637 yards with one shot of the Barnes 127 LRX and dropped him like he was hit by lightning.

My daughter shooting it at 200 yards


Her 5 shot group @ 200 w. 127 Barnes LRX @ 3010fps


Her hunt this week







Don't mind the .260 Rem in the photo. I took it just in case, because it weighs 6# less to carry in and out.







That black dot is my truck where she shot from.

 

[sp6x6]

Congrats thats a stud muley

 

[specter29]

Ryan Pierce from Piercision Rifles LLC in Lansing, Iowa did my custom rifle I got it in July of this year.
I had him build it specifically so i could set the 215 bergers out running 29 thousands off the lands chronoing at 2960fps.
Shooting in the .2's at 100yd zero. took a nice buck on Saturday with it.
Pictures of the rifle are below before i got the Razor HD mounted on it and the pic of the buck is below. I'd Highly recommend Ryan great guy to deal with easy to get a hold of by phone or email, great with recommendations on rifle build, and good turn around time.

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[Buska]

Do you have a cartridge picked out? If not I love the 25-06 or 25-06 AI as a deer rifle to about 700-800. I shoot the AI version and it's a great mulie killer. It's basically a "budget custom" lol 26" Douglas premium grade barrel on a worked over Rem 700 in a bell and Carlson medalist stock. Can't really tell in the pictures but the flutes on the barrel and bolt are OD green and the stock is webbed green and gray to match the metal work...I mean, the better they look the better they shoot right??? Shoots the 115 Berger VLD at 3,400 fps well under .5" at 100 yards. Mine weighs about 8.5 pounds scoped with a leupold VX3 4.5-14x40 CDS. Fun little rig.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Do you have a cartridge picked out? If not I love the 25-06 or 25-06 AI as a deer rifle to about 700-800. I shoot the AI version and it's a great mulie killer. It's basically a "budget custom" lol 26" Douglas premium grade barrel on a worked over Rem 700 in a bell and Carlson medalist stock. Can't really tell in the pictures but the flutes on the barrel and bolt are OD green and the stock is webbed green and gray to match the metal work...I mean, the better they look the better they shoot right??? Shoots the 115 Berger VLD at 3,400 fps well under .5" at 100 yards. Mine weighs about 8.5 pounds scoped with a leupold VX3 4.5-14x40 CDS. Fun little rig.

Sounds very familiar. I have a. 25-06AI also. 28" Shilen, R700 trued, B&C Medelist. 115 Berger HVLD @ 3420fps into the .3s. I have taken my last two mulies with it. 160ish & 488 yards.

I built it 10 years ago for antelope hunting....which I still haven't been drawn for.