looking for benchrest PRS gunsmith recommendations, and....how about my build idea?

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bobbyorr

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Hi CGN community. I am looking for some referrals and advice.

I am planning to build 6.5 creedmoor PRS rifle / muleys-and-smaller hunting rifle.

My plan is to put together a rem 700 defiance action, proof carbon barrel, trigger tech diamond, in a mcmillan A5 (or manners T4), spuhr scope mounts, with a leupold VX6HD 4-24 scope, SFP.... (yes, SFP, because it will be a hunting rifle as well, and while hunting, i will mainly operate at min magnification, and i want that reticle clear and easy to find.... can always change the scope later if it becomes a 100% PRS rifle).

ok, so here is the big question, perhaps its just my google-methods, but when i search for precision rifle gunsmiths Canada..... 2 come up. ATRS, and ### international. I am looking for a bench-rest competition quality build, 0.0001" matters to me, Who do you guys recommend???

Feel free to call me out on any on my selected components. i am open to advice and criticism.....and also looking for recommendations, this is my 1st custom, and i want to get this right. its a lot of money. I understand that this will be no ultralight mountain rifle, however i want this to be close to a typical hunting rifle weight, but i also want to be able to shoot the a$$-hole out of a mosquito. Im fairly set on 6.5 creedmoor, i know there are more efficient calibers like the 6mm dasher etc, and yes, i do primarily reload my own ammo, but, considering that its also going to be used as a hunting rifle, i want to use something that is readily available at your local gun shop, for those times you dont have time to both reload AND hunt, (i have a 4 year old and 1 year old..... so yeah... some days its hard to find time to s#!t let alone reload)

P.S. What a win, way to go boys! (IIHF world juniors)

Thanks,

Lanny
 
Sounds like a solid build! I much prefer FFP scopes over SFP, but besides that excellent build components, not much to critique about your build.

Insite Arms does exceptional work - very good attention to details and exceptional shooters. The work they've done for me rivals the big gunsmith names in the US, they were taught by one of the best in the business (Robert Gradous).

And yes, that was an awesome game!
 
I would unreservedly recommend Insite Arms for that type of build.

Their work is second to none and their turnaround time is weeks not months.
 
And I'm not sure what Defiance action you plan on going with, but check out their new action called the Ruckus. It has a guaranteed headspace tolerance of +/- 0.001", which means that if you want Insite (or anyone else with the tennon thread specs, just go with a gunsmith you trust) to spin you up a new shouldered barrel, the gunsmith can spin you up a barrel and ship the barrel to your front door. No need to send off your rifle/action to a gunsmith and be without a rifle for a bit. Easy to install a shouldered barrel at home with minimal tools. This new action is also ~$100 USD cheaper then their Deviant model.

https://defiancemachine.com/actions/ruckus/

For finish/surface treatment on the action, I would recommend that you have Defiance nitride the action. You can cerakote it, but cerakoting adds a thin layer to the action which can make it less tolerant of handling debris. DLC and nitriding are my surface treatments of choice, but unfortunately Defiance does not have DLC as an option anymore.
 
I'd look at the McMillan A3/5 as it's lighter and more slender in the forend compared to the A5. Maybe the McMillan A6 or A10 are worth a look too

Edge fill might be a good option, lighten it up more for hunting.
 
Why not the Candian made Vartec Wildcat Composites Rifle stock,,, and you'll save alot of coin...

Talk to Stewart direct to get exactly what your after,,, the fore ends are reinforced to prevent twist,,, lite weight,,, full drop down pistol grip,,, flat fore-end to shoot off the bags or free hand...

His turnarounds are pretty fast...

I'd second guess the SFP if your planing the PRS stuff,,, cranking up the zoom is sure nice option,,, and the reticle lines remain the same at every power level...

Of course you get to choose what works for you since its your build...

Sounds like a nice package your planning...

Cheers from the North
 
I'll also recommend you talk to the guys at Insite. Their workmanship is second to none and they should able to provide you everything on your list (might be a Hardy carbon instead of Proof but the Hardys are just as good).

I'll also say that if you intend to shoot PRS with it then an FFP reticle will be the better way to go. You might want to look at the Leupold 3.6-18 or 5-25 Mk5 scopes. They're quite light for target scopes (within a few oz of the VX6 you mentioned) and with an illuminated reticle like the TMR you should be able to hunt on low mag no problem.
 
Just did almost the same rifle. The only difference is I used Proof prefit barrel. It ended up being an excellent rifle, very well balanced
 
Depending on barrel contour etc, your looking at around 10-12 lbs. my sendero contour carbon six barrel was heavier than the factory barrel on my 788 308. If want to try one of the faster 6.5's but you can consider rechambering later.
 
I highly recommend Insite Arms, incredible work they build lasers.

Give them a call and let them know what you want to build they are great to talk to

I would consider a Foundation stock as well and try to handle a few different ones before you make up your mind

Don't compromise on your components or gunsmith it's not worth it
 
Another stock recommendation is McMillan's Tac Hunter

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Edit: if you're more inclined for the A3 pistol grip there is also the Game Warden. More of a hybrid leaning further towards bench rest rather than hunting, as opposed to the Tac Hunter leaning towards a more traditional M40 style.

mcmlln16-gamewarden-adj.jpg
 

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T4A carbon shell stock comes in a bit less then the A5 set up. Manners EH1-A are very nice and are a pound and something lighter then the 2 you mentioned.
 
Alberta Tactical Rifle in Calgary has been building PRS style and just general precision rifles for decades and truly know their stuff. I have 4 of their bolt actions so far and could not ask for better shooting rifles or easier to work with guys who truly know their stuff.
 
OP, phone Harley at Insite and talk to him about your build. He'll be great to talk to and answer all your questions.

I had them spin up a 6.5 Creedmoor with a Hardy Carbon barrel on a Surgeon action a couple years ago in a Manners T5A. It's flawless and shoots one hole groups regularly.
 
Cbob said:
I have a very similar build by Insite on a Remington action with the same Purpose in mind. 20” Krieger. Shoots awesome but I ended up doing more hiking than hunting so I brought a lighter setup. This is still pretty heavy for packing. I have a Vx6 4-24 but went with a 4-16 ATACR F1.

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Quite a lineup you have there, do you mind sharing what your similar build ended up weighing, and what exactly you went to for "hiking more than hunting" with specifics to components and approx overall weight? Thanks.
 
Thanks for all the recommendations guys. I will contact Insite.
I am taking a serious look at those manners stocks now as well. looks same as the McMillan A5, but can get it in carbon which should help keep things at a friendly weight for carrying hunting. any thoughts on those?
 
bobbyorr said:
Thanks for all the recommendations guys. I will contact Insite.
I am taking a serious look at those manners stocks now as well. looks same as the McMillan A5, but can get it in carbon which should help keep things at a friendly weight for carrying hunting. any thoughts on those?
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Manners are one of the best. They make some tactical stocks and some hunting models as well. Only downside is that if you want something that they don't have on hand, you might be waiting 6-8 months for it. That's just the general lead time for a custom manners stock.
 
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