Help me build my first lounge range rig

[matt_3479]

Hello, I need some help building a custom rifle that will be used for mainly long range hunting with some target shooting too. Almost a year ago I was pretty much settled on a build but then was accepted to college an had to use the money for that instead. I have since graduated from college and back working. I would like some help with putting a build together for my needs. What I would like to finish up with is a large enough caliber to do the job with preferably no break so small enough not to need one. I'm pretty set on a 300. Win mag shooting 210-230 Berger vld's. I would like to keep this gun at a decent weight. Hopefully 12-13lbs or less. I picked up a nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50mm scope for the build before school. Right now I'm thinking about this for the rest of the build; Remington 700 blue printed action or stiller tac 300, 26" #4-5 contour Broughton or Brux barrel (26" #4-5 to keep weight down), timney trigger, McMillian a3 stock in 60%black, 20%od 20% light tan and pillar bedded obviously.

Is there any suggestions, tweaks, changes, you guys have for this build. Any and all advice is appreciated. I will be hunting moose, whitetail, and elk mainly with the furthest shot most likely being 700-800 yards. But would like to shoot out too 1000.

 

[MMERSS]

It sounds as if you are on the right track. No suggestions on the equipment other than allowing or finding time for practice once you have your rifle together.

 

[matt_3479]

Thanks,

I currently have 2 factory rifles with my reloads do very well out too 500-600 yards but I'm ready to step up my game a little and a rifle to help me do it.

What do you suggest for action?
I was thinking of either stiller tac 300 or a Remington 700 blueprinted. My only other options seem to be BAT or defiance. I am limited being a resident of Canada. But what do you suggest for actions.

 

[MMERSS]

Any of the actions will work. I know some have personal preferences and this is what usually determines the direction. I'm not sure about Canada but in the US you can pick up a used 700 for a decent price, strip everything except the action and start from scratch. If $s aren't an issue any of the other actions will be a good choice.

 

[trebark]

When it comes to choosing between a Tac300 or Rem700, the difference in cost is minimal. Because the cost of blueprinting a Rem700 action + the cost of the action is about the same as buying a Tac300. The place where the advantage goes to the Tac300 is if you ever want to sell the action/rifle. The Tac300 will retain its value better.

Also, even with a 13lb weight restriction, I think you can go with a heavier profile barrel than a #5 and still be able to stay within your weight limit.

The only other recommendation I would make for your build would be to consider a Jewell trigger rather than a Timney. I've used them both and really prefer the Jewell.

The rifle you are building is similar to my rifles:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-260-mcr-59628/

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-300rum-mcr-70809/#post494570

 

[matt_3479]

When it comes to choosing between a Tac300 or Rem700, the difference in cost is minimal. Because the cost of blueprinting a Rem700 action + the cost of the action is about the same as buying a Tac300. The place where the advantage goes to the Tac300 is if you ever want to sell the action/rifle. The Tac300 will retain its value better.

Also, even with a 13lb weight restriction, I think you can go with a heavier profile barrel than a #5 and still be able to stay within your weight limit.

The only other recommendation I would make for your build would be to consider a Jewell trigger rather than a Timney. I've used them both and really prefer the Jewell.

The rifle you are building is similar to my rifles:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-260-mcr-59628/

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-300rum-mcr-70809/#post494570

Is there a big upside to going with a higher contour barrel vs the #5. I am leaning towards a custom action vs the rem 700 but it's still an option

 

[cohunter14]

Almost a year ago I was pretty much settled on a build but then was accepted to college an had to use the money for that instead. I have since graduated from college and back working.

Well first of all, congratulations on graduating college in one year!!! It took me a hell of a lot longer than that! Lol, j/k (I'm sure the circumstances were a little different than the post shows)

Anyway, if I were you I would PM Broz. He has a 300 WM with the same scope you have and, let's just say he does okay with it . If it were me, I would copy the exact build he has and launch the 215 Hybrids at over 3,000 fps. You can find his build in a thread on here as well, but I am not sure exactly what the title of it was.

 

[cohunter14]

Saved you some time, here is the link: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/my-new-300-win-build-55269/

Broz would still be a great person to talk to for load data, etc. He has always been extremely helpful to me. Good luck!

 

[luke]

+ one for talking to broz. If you pm him he will help you out I am sure. He has helped me out more rhan a few times. There is alot about his rifle on the thread comparing the 210 vld to 215 hybrid also.

 

[matt_3479]

Well first of all, congratulations on graduating college in one year!!! It took me a hell of a lot longer than that! Lol, j/k (I'm sure the circumstances were a little different than the post shows) .

Thank you, I took a construction techniques course, which included interior and exterior finishes, framing, and roofing. Really great course. I do have to now start an apprenticeship which will go on for 3-4 years, minus the hours clocked while in school so normally stage 1 of my apprenticeship.

I have spoken with broz around a year ago and helped me put together the details when I almost pulled the trigger on the build before school. I was hoping to talk to him again to possibly touch up some details on this one and get at it. I know I won't have a build done for this season so as long as I get it for next year around spring, summer I'll be okay. I love broz build but I love the mcmillan a3 stock and because the stock weighs more i figured drop 2" on the barrel. To just cut a little weight. I will talk to him and hopefully see what he says.

I'm going talk to a few smiths in Canada and US to see what they personally suggest for actions as I am unable to decide due to the lack of experience with a custom action.

 

[oldmossy]

I'm a 7mm fan. If you havent started your build yet, may want to consider the 7mm. I don't think you'll see any felt recoil between the two, but wind drift, bullet trajectory, and KO is better on the 7mm than the 300. At least at distant targets.(I guess depending on your bullet of choice). When I ran the numbers on my 7RUM.

I'm having a Allen Mag built right now, and I looked at all calibers. Unless I got up into the cheytac catagory, or Allens big 338. I couldn't find anything that even came close to the 7mm. And actually KO was the only benefit to going to the larger caliber.(that I could see)

I am fairly new to this, and I hear alot of guys saying 338 caliber for elk past 1000. And enough talk about it that I'm sure they're right. But I'm sticking to the 7mm.

Might be worth your time to look into it, if you haven't already.
I was shooting a 180 vld at almost 3300fps. Peolpe say that isn't so, but the chrony and my ballistics say it is. This from a factory sendero II. And we had 9 kills last year from 250-1015. whitetail,muledeer,and elk. Which may be why I'm stuck on the 7mm.

Food for thought....

 

[RTK]

There is an old saying that "kinda" holds true in many respects, there is no replacement for displacement.

 

[matt_3479]

I'm a 7mm fan. If you havent started your build yet, may want to consider the 7mm. I don't think you'll see any felt recoil between the two, but wind drift, bullet trajectory, and KO is better on the 7mm than the 300. At least at distant targets.(I guess depending on your bullet of choice). When I ran the numbers on my 7RUM.

I'm having a Allen Mag built right now, and I looked at all calibers. Unless I got up into the cheytac catagory, or Allens big 338. I couldn't find anything that even came close to the 7mm. And actually KO was the only benefit to going to the larger caliber.(that I could see)

I am fairly new to this, and I hear alot of guys saying 338 caliber for elk past 1000. And enough talk about it that I'm sure they're right. But I'm sticking to the 7mm.

Might be worth your time to look into it, if you haven't already.
I was shooting a 180 vld at almost 3300fps. Peolpe say that isn't so, but the chrony and my ballistics say it is. This from a factory sendero II. And we had 9 kills last year from 250-1015. whitetail,muledeer,and elk. Which may be why I'm stuck on the 7mm.

Food for thought....

Yes I have put some thought into it. I don't believe one round is actually better then the other at 1000 yards. Now I know no other 7mm will get 3300 fps even with a 30" tube so when you compare what I should be getting with a 26" tube closer to 3000 fps and the win mag with 210vld will due close to 2900-2950 which at 1000 will be close to the same and in the end a little bigger hole is nice. I love the 7mm mag, and wish mine was getting 3300 fps as I am not as lucky as you. But what it really comes down too is as much as I love the 7mm, I am a bigger fan of the winny. Only reason Im going to go with it.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Yes I have put some thought into it. I don't believe one round is actually better then the other at 1000 yards. Now I know no other 7mm will get 3300 fps even with a 30" tube so when you compare what I should be getting with a 26" tube closer to 3000 fps and the win mag with 210vld will due close to 2900-2950 which at 1000 will be close to the same and in the end a little bigger hole is nice. I love the 7mm mag, and wish mine was getting 3300 fps as I am not as lucky as you. But what it really comes down too is as much as I love the 7mm, I am a bigger fan of the winny. Only reason Im going to go with it.

Actually there are lots of folks reaching those kinds of velocities with 26" barrels with the 7mmSTW caliber, which is more efficient than the 7RUM (VERY close velocities and energy w/ less powder consumption, and lower recoil), and has better barrel life. You could always run a 28" 1:9 barrel and shoot the 180 Bergers out of the STW and get some excellent performance even beyond the 1K mark. Alot of folks underestimate the 7mm calibers, however, they can be just as effective and efficient killing machines. However, if .30 caliber is what you want, go for it, will have a good 1K gun no matter which direction you go.