Noob needs help. Torn between building a gun or buying

[tctt3]

I want an accurate 300wm to hunt with. I have a model 70 action with a timney trigger, and by the time I could put an adjustable stock and a new barrel on it, I'd have around $1500 in the setup finished. Now, I would expect that gun to be a .5moa gun, but no guarantees.
2nd option, my gunsmith has offered to buy the action and trigger for what I have in them, and i wouldn't be out anythimg. Then, I could just buy a rem 700 p, PSS, long range Hunter, or sendero, and have been told they have a very high probability of being .5moa guns out of the box. Then, is be in it for $900, and put the extra 6 towards some NF rings and bases.
What do you guys think? Build or buy? Should he be able to get that gun to shoot better than .5 by the time it's built, bedded, drilled, etc? Thoughts? I've never built one.

 

[gderr]

I own a .300wm in a 700 Sendero and absolutely love it. Cant speak for what your gun smith is capable of, but my sendero out of the box shoots well and is good looking to boot. Good luck!!!

 

[BountyHunter]

I want an accurate 300wm to hunt with. I have a model 70 action with a timney trigger, and by the time I could put an adjustable stock and a new barrel on it, I'd have around $1500 in the setup finished. Now, I would expect that gun to be a .5moa gun, but no guarantees.
2nd option, my gunsmith has offered to buy the action and trigger for what I have in them, and i wouldn't be out anythimg. Then, I could just buy a rem 700 p, PSS, long range Hunter, or sendero, and have been told they have a very high probability of being .5moa guns out of the box. Then, is be in it for $900, and put the extra 6 towards some NF rings and bases.
What do you guys think? Build or buy? Should he be able to get that gun to shoot better than .5 by the time it's built, bedded, drilled, etc? Thoughts? I've never built one.

I do not think you have a "high probability" of a regular 700P, PSS etc of going .5 MOA without work!! Contrary to internet claims "consistent" .5 MOA is pretty dang good and the avg is closer to .75 and 1 MOA. One great group does not mean it is consistent.

IF you like the model 70, it can be a great shooter with a quality barrel, stock and bedding.

 

[HARPERC]

Not knowing your smith I can't say.

I prefer the Model 70.

The 700 probably has the edge in aftermarket accessories.

Your smith can give you an idea of his capabilities. If you give him the job, freedom to build it his way, will he give you a written accuracy guarantee? A completion date is also good to know.

 

[jpd676]

Personally, I'd buy a Savage, specifically the law enforcement model in a 300wm. The key to a build or just buying is reloading. If you reload, you should be able to get .5 moa but factory ammo would be closer to 1 moa. Reloading is the way to go if you want long range accuracy or small groups at any range.

 

[tctt3]

Yes. Definitely reloading! Thanks for the help
Guys. I've just always been a 300yd max guy and im tired of seeing bucks pop out 500yds away on the other side of the field!

Anybody have a barrel recommendation if i do the build? I like the HS precision adjustable stock I have on my 700pss 308. So, I think I'll just stick with that. Barrel....I have no idea.

Also, can you get your money back out of a custom if I decide im not happy with it?

 

[4bycamper]

500 yards is not a tough shot for the 300 WM or it's little brother the 7 mag.

For a barrel recommendation I "ll go with Brux. The one I got from "bugholes.com"
is a 0.5 min rifle and I think it's my best build yet.

As for getting your $$ out of a rifle build....not so much for 300WM.
Those are a little hard to sell. Check 'em out on GB and see what I mean.

 

[HARPERC]

A lot of good barrel makers out there to many to list really these days. Krieger, Hart, Douglas, and Shilen have all been good to me.

Brux, Lilja, and Benchmark, all have good barrels that I've seen.

Here's where giving your smith a little latitude is a good thing.

 

[tctt3]

Thanks! Whats GB??

 

[4bycamper]

Thanks! Whats GB??

Gunbroker.com

 

[kbaerg]

Buy what you feel is best for you, but here is my current. Savage 110 FCP-HS in 300 win mag, the only thing I have done is re-torque the action screws to 65in lbs, added a brake, cheekrest, and found some loads for it.

 

[WildRose]

I want an accurate 300wm to hunt with. I have a model 70 action with a timney trigger, and by the time I could put an adjustable stock and a new barrel on it, I'd have around $1500 in the setup finished. Now, I would expect that gun to be a .5moa gun, but no guarantees.
2nd option, my gunsmith has offered to buy the action and trigger for what I have in them, and i wouldn't be out anythimg. Then, I could just buy a rem 700 p, PSS, long range Hunter, or sendero, and have been told they have a very high probability of being .5moa guns out of the box. Then, is be in it for $900, and put the extra 6 towards some NF rings and bases.
What do you guys think? Build or buy? Should he be able to get that gun to shoot better than .5 by the time it's built, bedded, drilled, etc? Thoughts? I've never built one.

Just scour the internet till you can find a good deal on a M70 Sharpshooter or Laredo in 300wm or 7mm STW and you'll have exactly what you want.

The Winchester Extreme Weather Models have earned a reputation for being very good shooters as well if you'll just ensure they are free floated and rebed them with epoxy instead of that hot glue/bubble gum crap they put on them at the factory.

The factory Win Triggers can be cleaned up and adjusted to produce extremely good results too so that's not an issue. If you just want a Timney for the sake of having one you can always install it but it's not a big deal.

As for the Senderos, no, you aren't likely to get one shooting .5's out of the box but usually with just the same basic work as I'm describing for the M 70's you can with a little load work usually get them to shoot MOA or better; just like the Winchesters I mention above.

For the money and peace of mind you're better off just sending your action off to Benchmark, Krieger, or Hart and having them true it and put you a good barrel in and then stick it in a nice fiberglass stock, but then you're talking about six months to a year or more before you have it in hand.

No you don't have a high probability of gettin

 

[WildRose]

Not knowing your smith I can't say.

I prefer the Model 70.

The 700 probably has the edge in aftermarket accessories.

Your smith can give you an idea of his capabilities. If you give him the job, freedom to build it his way, will he give you a written accuracy guarantee? A completion date is also good to know.

I've finally come to understand that the reason there are so many aftermarket parts out there for Remington's is just the fact there's so much that can be improved upon!

 

[ShootnMathews]

My buddy has a Sendero 300 Win Mag. All he did was work up a load for it. Shoots 1/4 MOA. He didn't even bed the recoil lug like I suggested. Basically took it out of the box, threw a scope on it and worked up a load. Shoots 1/4 MOA at 100 and he can hold 4" groups at 500 with it, but I know the GUN will do better.