My perfect Wyoming Mountain rifle build thread

For reference, I had Shaen build a 308 for me using a 21" Bartlein #4 CFW barrel. He shortened the shank a bit on mine, so barrel ended up around 19" or a 1/4" more. He threaded the muzzle and added seamless thread protector.
Other parts:
Defiance ruckus GA hunter, lightened with hollow bolt knob. 27 ounces
TT special
Manners EH-2 bedded - bare stock lighter than my other EH-2s and was 28 oz
APA RTG DBM
AICS 5 round mag

6 lb 10 oz on the nose with mag.

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Cartridge selection is likely one of the hardest, most complicated aspects of a build to get right for some people (or maybe just me, idk!) if it's one they aren't already set up for. Because of that, this is gonna be a novel, but it's how my mind works, so I apologize ahead of time!

This build started around first, what I physically wanted out of a rifle (compact, around 9 lbs, handy, supressed, and bombproof) and second, what performance I wanted, which was a 30 cal 200-215 grain bullet around 2850-3000 fps.

The first set of requirements narrowed it down to a short barrel, 18-20". Then, I had to find a cartridge that would meet my performance requirements out of said barrel. I didn't want to go too much over, as that burns unnecessary components and barrel life.

So, talking to the long range pistol crowd (thanks @Ernie specifically!) as well as some other open minded rifle smith's and experienced shooters as to the performance they have first hand seen with different cartridges from the 300 SAUM up to the 300 Lapua AI in short barrels, and that narrowed the playing field. I needed to have good brass available, either Peterson, Lapua, or ADG, that cut a couple out. At this point, I had decided on the XLR magnesium folding chassis, which uses a CIP length magazine in the long action, so 3.750" roughly depending on manufacturer was my limit for cycling. That help narrow it down more, to these -

300 WSM didn't quite make the cut, save a very few "fast barrels" (or hot loads), though that cartridge in a short barrel would have caught me less hate ha ha. The 300 wm, while a little bit, wasn't much ahead of that either. The 300 PRC is there or pretty close, but if not made with the right chamber/die combo, will end up giving clickers after a few fireings, and needed to be loaded warm to get there, and may not have a good node in the velocity range. The 30 Sherman mag (300 prc Sherman improved) seems to do it, and the case design and current dies fixed the clicker issue. Also, the 30 nosler met all the requirements as well. It goes without saying that the larger cases will meet the performance, and could possibly run with somewhat reduced loads, giving lower pressure and longer barrel life to offset the larger capacity, however the 300 RUM was simply way too long to mag feed. The 300 Norma and NAI were a consideration, but I didn't want to step up to the .585 Bolt face and larger/heavier action to go with it.

So at this point, the 30 Sherman mag and 30 Nosler fit the bill for performance. They both have great brass available, Lapua for the Sherman, ADG for the Nosler. They both have good efficient case designs. Some may argue the 35° shoulder of the nosler will feed better than the 40° shoulder of the SM, and they are probably right, especially if your feeding from a stagger feed, but I haven't ever had a hiccup from my 40° .260 AI fed from a s/a AICS mag, and as this will be a long action AICS, feeding is a draw for me. I currently don't have dies for either. Sherman dies are spendy, but so are any quality bushing style die that I would get for a 30 nosler, so that is also pretty much equal. The Sherman has the right throat, but I would just have my smith throat the nosler for the bullet I want to shoot, so also 6 one, half dozen the other.

Now we're getting down to splitting hairs....I haven't shot a factory load in any of my personal bolt action centerfire rifles in nearly 20 years. The Sherman is the same as an Ackley in that you can shoot factory 300 PRC ammo just fine. I probably see more long range options for the 300 PRC in factory ammo, but I see plenty of both available. Again, I don't care about any of this anyway ha ha. So why the 30 nosler......

Limited supplies, and not as dramatic of fireforming with the 30 nosler. I know, I know, virgin brass must be fireformed even in a SAAMI chamber to get a 100% accurate reading on your load, but there is less of it with the Nosler. I know I could just develope a "fireforming" load for the Sherman that would be plenty accurate, albeit reduced from full potential and just use that for a while, but I also know myself, and I know I wouldn't be happy with a fireforming load. I would blast through those first 50-100 rounds of brass as fast as I could while not overly torching the barrel, so I could develope a "real" load for the rifle, and loose all that precious powder and primers to fireforming, and to a lesser amount of importance, 100 rounds of barrel life. Also, with the same bullet seated properly in the neck of both cartridges, the 30 nosler will be about .040" shorter OAL. This may not matter, but the 205 SBDII I plan on running is a long bullet, and it may (or may not) make the difference, I haven't run the numbers yet.

Also, I have a few Sherman rounds, and I like them very much, and Rich is a fantastic, helpful, and very friendly guy that has given me tons of advice with loads for his cartridges. However, I also just want to try something different.

So, there is my nearly 1000 word dissertation as to why I picked one cartridge over another. Ha ha, it is stupid the amount of thought that has gone into this, but whatever, it's what I enjoy doing!!!
I really like your approach to this setup, and good call on the 30 Nos.
I owned a 30 SM and the hassle wasn't worth the small gain in my opinion, the 30 nos is slightly faster even with Peterson brass (98 grains h20).
I replaced it with a 30 Nosler built on an anti with an Alterra stock, 24" #5 fluted Rock Creek 8 twist barrel, and topped with a March FX 4.5-28. It weighs 9lbs even without the suppressor.
I actually planned on the 205 bd2 but it pressured out at 3000 fps (much sooner than I'd hoped) while 220 bergers are shooting super well at 2975.
My only regret was not going 20" on the barrel, my suppressor makes it too much of a hassle so I run a brake now.
Good on you for sticking with 20" it'll be plenty for 1k as you know.
Looking forward to hearing about your load development
 
For reference, I had Shaen build a 308 for me using a 21" Bartlein #4 CFW barrel. He shortened the shank a bit on mine, so barrel ended up around 19" or a 1/4" more. He threaded the muzzle and added seamless thread protector.
Other parts:
Defiance ruckus GA hunter, lightened with hollow bolt knob. 27 ounces
TT special
Manners EH-2 bedded - bare stock lighter than my other EH-2s and was 28 oz
APA RTG DBM
AICS 5 round mag

6 lb 10 oz on the nose with mag.

View attachment 330755View attachment 330754
Love it! Ya, I plan on having them shorten the shank a touch, I don't think they will be able to shorten a ton as it is a little over half an inch longer than a .308, but we will see.
 
Cody I like the idea of what your trying to do.As you know Ive had a light 7-2 oz.338NM for years.I have noticed i bumpe trees a bit etc with my front carry and 26'' barrel and brake.I also pack my atlas on hip,but very much want on long shots,12 oz. seems on QD.I wanted a chasis type folder in s smaller caliber for varmit /deer. Was looking at a MPA ultrlight,rifle in 6.5 prc was 7 1/2 #.Well I always have my eye on classified and there was a new 6.5 pr Proof 24 '' braked finished and proof summit .I picked it up,well its about 4'' shorter than my norma and 6# even.I would not have gone this short on barrel but im really liking the rifle and had it out wolf hunting a few times .The shorter barrel is real handy.This made me realize I could if I wanted safe more weight and make my 338 handier I think with 4x15 optics and loose 2'' on barrel if I wanted.But I may not shoot mine out in my time as its my main hunter.By the way what where you using for a bullet in your 6.5. I also picked up a exo 2000 and I set up with gun bearer to try something different and my kuiu is my dedicated bow pack,that I have two bow hooks on for bow carry.
 
@codyadams if you need 30 nosler brass I have some at the store.

BTW, happy to see you going with the shorty - its time someone as influential as you on this platform can show users what a short barreled magnum can produce.
 
@codyadams if you need 30 nosler brass I have some at the store.

BTW, happy to see you going with the shorty - its time someone as influential as you on this platform can show users what a short barreled magnum can produce.
Thank you, and ya I plan on getting some from you pretty soon, I have had a box in my cart several times....but I need to wait on the next paycheck before I burn any more cash ha ha! The wife is on to me......lol!
 
Cody, you are likely very very close on barrel weight. That 7mm08 is Oregonmuley's, I have known him for years. One difference is he had Shaen shorten the shank to drop a bit of weight. So if you're not going to short shank it, your weight may be higher.

Looking forward to seeing it!
I would not short shank a long action cartridge, if it was my rifle no matter the weight penalty. In a 300 norma, having a 1.25 vs 1.20 full length shank barrel DOES relate to where you start seeing preasure issues. I could see doing it with short action cases however.
 
Well @North Idaho Hunter, I went ahead and ordered two boxes from ya.....I had a nightmare that I waited until the rifle was at the smith to order brass, and it was out of stock.....everywhere!! And ADG wasn't going to make any more runs for at least 6 months!! Got up, grabbed a cup of coffee and my wallet and made my order ha ha.

You now have 5 boxes of 30 nosler in stock lol

And @sp6x6, sorry, just saw your question. In my .260 AI, I currently use 156 Bergers @2940. That rifle is mainly used for pronghorn, and occasionally some mule deer, they seem to work fantastic for that. I have also used the 124 Hammer Hunter in a 6.5 cm of my niece's for her everything, up to and including elk rifle. She won't be shooting all that far, so I am more concerned about performance on big game at close to moderate ranges vs long range performance, like with my .260ai.
 

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