Basic Tactical Assembly - .223 Rem 700 in a TAC-21
- Thread starter Farmer Harv
- Start date
I am using Vortex and I am very happy with mine. I have several and they all perform flawlessly. I recently had a new precision rifle assembled, built, what ever you want to call it. It is an accurized Remington action, Shilen Match barrel, HS Precision take off stock, and a Viper HS 4-16X50 BDC scope. First trip to the range I was averaging just over 0.5 MOA with loads from another rifle. Looks promising. Total build was about 2G. I couldn't be happier. Going the custom route allows you to put your own stamp on your rifle, and makes it a bit more meaningful when you start punching itty bitty groups way out there!
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
Thanks for all the input guys! There's an endless amount of information to digest, options to consider and money to spend it looks like. As I'm not going to be competing or getting into this too seriously (to start with anyways), I'm not too concerned about breaking the MOA barrier right off the bat. And as long as the basic foundation is sound I won't mind spending a bit as I go on action & trigger work and barrel upgrades if necessary.
And many thinks for the new shooter thread Bob. Lots of good stuff in there, and Jerry's latest post about mirage really made me aware of how crappy my current scopes really are. Definitely putting the Sightron scopes at the top of the list now.
And many thinks for the new shooter thread Bob. Lots of good stuff in there, and Jerry's latest post about mirage really made me aware of how crappy my current scopes really are. Definitely putting the Sightron scopes at the top of the list now.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Yep, Optics and barrels will improve your LR fun greatly. If you can't see, you can't hit. If you don't know where the next bullet is going, you can't hit.
Pretty hard to beat a Sightron in the present market place.
Nothing wrong with a factory SPS for the type of plinking you want to do. If you can tune to a true 1/2 min, that will give you hours of LR fun. 2.5" at 500yds is nothing to sneeze at and makes clay pigeons viable targets at 800yds.
Unfortunately, many factory rifles simply do not hold SR accuracy at LR. No biggie as there are plenty of solutions for that.
Working on a new chassis product for the Rem 700. Will be quite a bit less then the MDT but offer the same options for mounting stocks and grips, even NV gear. Just waiting for paperwork/shipment to actually finalize before introducing. Keep any eye on my dealer forum for lots of new stuff..... hopefully.
The AI mags continue to be the benchmark in quality aftermarket mags. Not cheap but built strong and work. Most aftermarket bottom metals are sized for these mags for a reason.
You have a solid list of stuff and if I can help you piece it together, let me know. A bunch of AR stuff will be on the new list of toys offered if all goes as planned.
Let me know...
Jerry
Pretty hard to beat a Sightron in the present market place.
Nothing wrong with a factory SPS for the type of plinking you want to do. If you can tune to a true 1/2 min, that will give you hours of LR fun. 2.5" at 500yds is nothing to sneeze at and makes clay pigeons viable targets at 800yds.
Unfortunately, many factory rifles simply do not hold SR accuracy at LR. No biggie as there are plenty of solutions for that.
Working on a new chassis product for the Rem 700. Will be quite a bit less then the MDT but offer the same options for mounting stocks and grips, even NV gear. Just waiting for paperwork/shipment to actually finalize before introducing. Keep any eye on my dealer forum for lots of new stuff..... hopefully.
The AI mags continue to be the benchmark in quality aftermarket mags. Not cheap but built strong and work. Most aftermarket bottom metals are sized for these mags for a reason.
You have a solid list of stuff and if I can help you piece it together, let me know. A bunch of AR stuff will be on the new list of toys offered if all goes as planned.
Let me know...
Jerry
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
Hmmm, new stuff eh? That'll mean even more options, and more questions, and more thinking. And (obviously) I hate thinking. I'd better stick to plan A for now. 
So I've found a decent price on a SPS Tactical locally, and it looks like you should be able to fill the rest of it out. I fired off an email with my current shopping list, and if everything comes together I'll hopefully be able to start turning a bunch of 55gr factory fodder into reloadable brass soon.
So I've found a decent price on a SPS Tactical locally, and it looks like you should be able to fill the rest of it out. I fired off an email with my current shopping list, and if everything comes together I'll hopefully be able to start turning a bunch of 55gr factory fodder into reloadable brass soon.
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
And the assembly begins...
Needs a good imagination so far. And I need to get batteries for my real camera.
Needs a good imagination so far. And I need to get batteries for my real camera.
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
Don't need as much imagination now...
Still waiting on magazines, and I ordered the wrong ring height so had to use a riser for now, but she's all together and operational. And heavy.
Did a quick sight in at 50m, and it took exactly one full revolution of down and no windage to put 5 into the 10 ring. I have 5 or 6 different types of cheap ammo to test for accuracy as I generate some once fired brass..should be a fun afternoon.
Still waiting on magazines, and I ordered the wrong ring height so had to use a riser for now, but she's all together and operational. And heavy.
Did a quick sight in at 50m, and it took exactly one full revolution of down and no windage to put 5 into the 10 ring. I have 5 or 6 different types of cheap ammo to test for accuracy as I generate some once fired brass..should be a fun afternoon.
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
Well, she shoots. It's a royal pita to single load rounds with cold fingers, but with perseverance it can be done. Repeatedly if necessary. The groups remind me a lot of what my HK SL8 did a couple of years ago. Couple of decent ones, couple of bad ones, and the rest somewhere in between. Not bad for mostly FMJ factory ammo and me at the helm.
I'd do a review of everything I put together, but I'm sure it's already been said before. And said better than I can. As this is my first time with anything like this I can't speak to how it all comes together as a "precision" rifle, but as a quick assembly of some "tactical" parts it looks to be a decent shooting pile o' fun. And with any luck (and maybe a bit of skill), I'll be smacking my 10" grader blade at 800m by springtime.
The groups remind me a lot of what my HK SL8 did a couple of years ago. Couple of decent ones, couple of bad ones, and the rest somewhere in between. Not bad for mostly FMJ factory ammo and me at the helm.
I'd do a review of everything I put together, but I'm sure it's already been said before. And said better than I can. As this is my first time with anything like this I can't speak to how it all comes together as a "precision" rifle, but as a quick assembly of some "tactical" parts it looks to be a decent shooting pile o' fun. And with any luck (and maybe a bit of skill), I'll be smacking my 10" grader blade at 800m by springtime.
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
Hmmm, haven't talked to myself this much since before the voices started answering. Anyhoo, took a stand out to 250yds this afternoon to see what might happen, but was only able to get 5 rounds away before company arrived. Probably a good thing, as it was much chillier than I thought it would be and I was having trouble getting the rounds into the chamber with rapidly numbing fingers.
Used the old standby PMC 55gr FMJ, and according to iSnipe on the iPhone it should drop ~5" and drift right about the same amount from the 10k breeze. Not wanting to mess with the scope yet I just held on the big bull in the centre of the paper, and lo and behold the rounds hit as predicted. That advanced math is amazing stuff.
Looks like around 1.6MOA, which is close to what it shot at 100 yesterday. I'm sure everyone is looking at a 4" group at 250 and wondering "wtf is he even posting a crap group like that from such a short range for?", but someday I hope to look back at this and think the same thing.
Used the old standby PMC 55gr FMJ, and according to iSnipe on the iPhone it should drop ~5" and drift right about the same amount from the 10k breeze. Not wanting to mess with the scope yet I just held on the big bull in the centre of the paper, and lo and behold the rounds hit as predicted. That advanced math is amazing stuff.
Looks like around 1.6MOA, which is close to what it shot at 100 yesterday. I'm sure everyone is looking at a 4" group at 250 and wondering "wtf is he even posting a crap group like that from such a short range for?", but someday I hope to look back at this and think the same thing.
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
WhooHoo! My first interwebsnet "My gun shoots 1/2 MOA at 100yds" group! I modified my shooting bench seat this morning and wanted to try it out, so grabbed the bolt action and off we went. I'd been meaning to try the Hornady Steel Match again as I was hoping for a better showing from it than the first time out, and it didn't disappoint at all with a nice .46 off sandbags...
Not wanting to ruin a good thing, and as my front bag was leaking sand at a fairly rapid rate, I installed the ultra high quality Barska bipod and fired the last ten rounds relatively quickly (windchill was encouraging me to not linger), and was happy to see all of them stay right around an inch.
Lessons learned for the day:
-7 plus a breeze makes for chilly shooting and numb fingers quickly.
Loading mag fed rifles without mags doesn't get any better with time.
A good seating position appears to help with good shooting.
I need a better bipod. I see an Atlas in my future. And maybe a monopod also.
iPhone cameras are better than nothing. Maybe.
Tossing a big Caldwell Deadshot bag 10 feet onto a bench will split the seams.
Not wanting to ruin a good thing, and as my front bag was leaking sand at a fairly rapid rate, I installed the ultra high quality Barska bipod and fired the last ten rounds relatively quickly (windchill was encouraging me to not linger), and was happy to see all of them stay right around an inch.
Lessons learned for the day:
-7 plus a breeze makes for chilly shooting and numb fingers quickly.
Loading mag fed rifles without mags doesn't get any better with time.
A good seating position appears to help with good shooting.
I need a better bipod. I see an Atlas in my future. And maybe a monopod also.
iPhone cameras are better than nothing. Maybe.
Tossing a big Caldwell Deadshot bag 10 feet onto a bench will split the seams.
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
I built myself a heated shooting stall in a shed in the back yard, and have run about 300 rounds through the rifle in relative comfort now. It's quite happy with Hornady 55gr Steel Match, with 5 round groups running somewhere between .5"-.8" at 100 depending on how I'm doing at the trigger. Winchester 45gr JHP is also pretty consistent, staying well under an inch at 100 or 2" at 200 for as long as I want to pull the trigger. 75gr Hornady Steel Match was disappointing though, coming in at 1.5" for ten 5 shot groups.
Once I get the rest of the factory ammo used up it'll be time to get into reloading. Hopefully I can get the group size around 1/2", but if not I'll get a Gaillard barrel spun on next winter. Hopefully my skill set will have improved enough by then that I won't be wasting its potential.
A few observations now that the initial excitement has passed:
I have yet to find the slightest trace of copper fouling in the barrel. I use Wipe-Out exclusively, and there has been no hint of blue on any patch pushed through. I can't seem to get all of the carbon (I believe) out though...maybe the carb cleaner will have to come out for the next cleaning, seeing as 7 applications of Wipe-Out hasn't done it yet.
I've come to not like the finish on the MDT. Totally subjective personal preference...but it's rough, the pieces are mis-matched and I'm not sure how durable it is, as there are a couple of marks on/in it from very light use (no bangs, drops or smacks). Anyone know of a shop that could re-anodize it with a nice smooth finish?
The Sightron scope is amazing. The side focus is incredibly precise, and being able to see bullet holes at 300 yards makes a spotting scope redundant. The eyepiece flip cap keeps falling off though, so a Butler Creek will be going on soon. The Burris PEPR installed "backwards" keeps everything away from my digits when operating the bolt, plus it's a nice solid mount.
It's quite happy with Hornady 55gr Steel Match, with 5 round groups running somewhere between .5"-.8" at 100 depending on how I'm doing at the trigger. Winchester 45gr JHP is also pretty consistent, staying well under an inch at 100 or 2" at 200 for as long as I want to pull the trigger. 75gr Hornady Steel Match was disappointing though, coming in at 1.5" for ten 5 shot groups.Once I get the rest of the factory ammo used up it'll be time to get into reloading. Hopefully I can get the group size around 1/2", but if not I'll get a Gaillard barrel spun on next winter. Hopefully my skill set will have improved enough by then that I won't be wasting its potential.
A few observations now that the initial excitement has passed:
I have yet to find the slightest trace of copper fouling in the barrel. I use Wipe-Out exclusively, and there has been no hint of blue on any patch pushed through. I can't seem to get all of the carbon (I believe) out though...maybe the carb cleaner will have to come out for the next cleaning, seeing as 7 applications of Wipe-Out hasn't done it yet.
I've come to not like the finish on the MDT. Totally subjective personal preference...but it's rough, the pieces are mis-matched and I'm not sure how durable it is, as there are a couple of marks on/in it from very light use (no bangs, drops or smacks). Anyone know of a shop that could re-anodize it with a nice smooth finish?
The Sightron scope is amazing. The side focus is incredibly precise, and being able to see bullet holes at 300 yards makes a spotting scope redundant. The eyepiece flip cap keeps falling off though, so a Butler Creek will be going on soon. The Burris PEPR installed "backwards" keeps everything away from my digits when operating the bolt, plus it's a nice solid mount.
wapitiwhacker
CGN Regular
- Location
- East Kootenay B.C.
Looks like you are having great fun. I didn't have much luck with factory ammo with my SPS Tac. (didn't try all that many types tho') but it really shines with 69 gr SMKs. 70 gr. Bergers showed promise, but I never got around to tuning them. Don't even think of 75 gr. Amax, they are really long and the 9 twist doesn't like them at all. Hopefully this will give you some ideas when you start to brew your own. I think you are on the right track. If you are not competing I would keep the factory tube and tune up a nice load. Cheers.
The MDT chassis is usually wiped down with a waxy coating before delivery, so that may be what you are seeing. You could possibly clean that off with a solvent to get to the anodizing, but that might make it more likely to scratch. Your choice.
Farmer Harv you went the AR Tranny route.
It looks like an AR but what's with this bolt where there isn't supposed to be one?
It looks like your rifle needs to be soaked with G96. The finish will look better very quickly.
For rings, I'd look at the Burris PEPR quick release mount. I prefer the quick release version, I'm not a fan of the regular one. The AR tranny is set up to mimic the AR so this should work perfectly. I use this mount on my AR rifles including AR10 rifles. Oh and on my bullpups. It works well and looks great.
Otherwise awesome choices for grips, stock and scope. I might have gone with the AAC tactical though for the threaded barrel. But it's not needed. Your choice looks great.
Here's the mount on a Tavor: It's actually set up for my RFB but I thought I'd see how it worked on the Tavor. Works great.
On RFB:
It looks like an AR but what's with this bolt where there isn't supposed to be one?
It looks like your rifle needs to be soaked with G96. The finish will look better very quickly.
For rings, I'd look at the Burris PEPR quick release mount. I prefer the quick release version, I'm not a fan of the regular one. The AR tranny is set up to mimic the AR so this should work perfectly. I use this mount on my AR rifles including AR10 rifles. Oh and on my bullpups. It works well and looks great.
Otherwise awesome choices for grips, stock and scope. I might have gone with the AAC tactical though for the threaded barrel. But it's not needed. Your choice looks great.
Here's the mount on a Tavor: It's actually set up for my RFB but I thought I'd see how it worked on the Tavor. Works great.
On RFB:
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
Farmer Harv you went the AR Tranny route.
It looks like an AR but what's with this bolt where there isn't supposed to be one?
LMAO!
Yeah, I can get it to look decent(ish) with an oil wipedown, but it's still rough enough to pull fuzz/fibers off a cloth. The original magwell on my JR Carbine was like this, but a new one they sent is nice and smooth to the touch. Not a real deal breaker, but nothing's perfect so I gotta find something to complain about.
Heh, I did end up with a PEPR (regular). I gotta get a better pic, but here it is mounted backwards...
I built myself a heated shooting stall in a shed in the back yard, and have run about 300 rounds through the rifle in relative comfort now.
This. Handloads will make more difference than any barrel ever will.
Just be careful. Its almost more addictive than shooting
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
Cool picture.
I like the Glock field knife
Heh, that's from back when I had enough Glocks to fill the board. Now it's my Magpul Kool-Aid display with Glock accents.
Farmer Harv
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Scratchnwin
This. Handloads will make more difference than any barrel ever will.
Just be careful. Its almost more addictive than shooting
It's crude, but effective. Quickly cut a hole in the wall with a reciprocating saw, squeezed the shooting bench in, plugged in a 1500w parabolic heater and I'm semi-warm and, most importantly, sheltered from the wind.
Had to slightly modify a few trees that were in the way in order to get a nice view. The target stand and little swinger are at 100yd currently, and the gong on the left is at 200.
