What action for 6.5 Sherman build?

[TC338]

I'm wanting to build a 6.5 Sherman. I've talked to elkaholic about it and got his recommendations. I just want more opinions on what action to start the build with. I'm thinking either a Savage or Remington. What other options do I have that don't break the bank?

 

[Predator 22]

My opinion is if you don't have the action in hand at the very least look at a stiller. You will save money in the long run by going custom.

 

[Idaho Trecker]

Maybe shoot bigngreen a pm or maybe he'll chime in...
I'm having him do another SS and using a Tikka T3 for the donor. He is very very impressed with the Tikka actions over stiller or Remington.
If you got the money to go big then go for it.
I have a few sako's and love them. I've shot alot of friends and familys tikkas which have been incredible for accuracy.
I have a 270 Sherman built on a rem 700 which as also been awesome but for a budget build tikka would be great. There is also a lot of aftermarket parts for tikka these days. I'll be interested to see what you choose.

 

[westcoasthunter]

I would build one off a tikka t3 , bigNgreen is build me a 270wsm off my tikka t3. And like what's said above he seems to like them

 

[TC338]

Thanks for all the input, I forgot to put the tikka as one of my options in my original post. I just attended a long range shooting class with a former police sniper and he was shooting a bone stock tikka t3 varmint inn 223. We had some crazy wind going on but he was able to shoot a 1.5 in group at 300 yards with that rifle.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Rem 700 long action off a .270 or .30-06 or anything with a .473" bolt face will work. The Rem 700 has enough magazine box room to allow you to set the heavy high-BC bullets into/near the lands.

Just my $0.02...

 

[reeldawg]

I used a Rem 700 long action on my 6.5 Sherman.


Jay

 

[R.Morehouse]

Give Jim Borden a call. He will do the action and blueprint & time a trigger to the action. He is a great guy to talk to and IMO his actions are the best out there...gun)....................

 

[BEEMAN]

Give Jim Borden a call. He will do the action and blueprint & time a trigger to the action. He is a great guy to talk to and IMO his actions are the best out there...gun)....................

Jim built my 6.5 Sherman for me. Couldn't agree more. Very nice guy and does excellent work.

 

[TC338]

Thanks for the info guys. I can't afford to go full custom right now. As of right now I'm leaning towards buying a factory Remington long range hunter in 30-06 and having it rebarreled, trued, beded and install a new trigger if it needs it. I handled one at my local cabelas last night and liked the feel of it. Anyone see a flaw in my plan? Any smiths on here that could tell me an approximate cost for labor on the work?

 

[Sully2]

My opinion is if you don't have the action in hand at the very least look at a stiller.

I second that posting. Far above the 2 you meantioned and well worth any LITTLE extra you might pay for it

 

[waspocrew]

For mine, I went with a Rem 700 action and that's what worked for me. Sure, I wish I could have gone with a full custom, but I'm a medical student at the moment and that wasn't in the cards for me.

I think you've got a pretty solid plan. Just as another suggestion - you could look around for a deal on a 700 ADL package. I found one for $400 cash. Sold the scope, stock, trigger, etc and kept the action and bolt. All in all, I paid $250 for the action and bolt. Not a bad way to start. With the 700 LR, you've got a good stock already, but you might save a bit by going the ADL route (assuming it's cheaper) then purchasing the B&C stock from redhawkrifles.com

Anyways, you're going to really enjoy the Sherman. I've only had mine for a while, but it's been a ton of fun so far.

 

[MudRunner2005]

For mine, I went with a Rem 700 action and that's what worked for me. Sure, I wish I could have gone with a full custom, but I'm a medical student at the moment and that wasn't in the cards for me.

I think you've got a pretty solid plan. Just as another suggestion - you could look around for a deal on a 700 ADL package. I found one for $400 cash. Sold the scope, stock, trigger, etc and kept the action and bolt. All in all, I paid $250 for the action and bolt. Not a bad way to start. With the 700 LR, you've got a good stock already, but you might save a bit by going the ADL route (assuming it's cheaper) then purchasing the B&C stock from redhawkrifles.com

Anyways, you're going to really enjoy the Sherman. I've only had mine for a while, but it's been a ton of fun so far.

Don't forget that by purchasing a 700 Long Range, not only is the gaining a good stock to build with, he's also gaining the BDL mag assembly and floor plate ($150-175) over an ADL rifle... So, if all he has to do is blueprint, rebarrel, and swap in a Timney or Jewell, he'll be money ahead to go the 700 Long Range route.

 

[waspocrew]

Don't forget that by purchasing a 700 Long Range, not only is the gaining a good stock to build with, he's also gaining the BDL mag assembly and floor plate ($150-175) over an ADL rifle... So, if all he has to do is blueprint, rebarrel, and swap in a Timney or Jewell, he'll be money ahead to go the 700 Long Range route.

Ahh the BDL mag - I knew I was forgetting something. I'd at least check to see if any sales are going to be happening over Memorial Day. Might be able to save a little while picking up the rifle.

As far as the Tikka goes, I've thought of building off one, but the magazine limiting COAL has been a concern of mine.