Background - Been shooting for close to 30 years in one form or another and in the last 5-10 years started to get more and more into rifles and as of late into the precision arena. I started out innocently enough with a Remington 700 5R in 308, tossed a Leupold hunting scope on top and was ready to rule the long range world with my off the shelf ammo and a rickety bi-pod. Would grab a couple of boxes of ammo and head to the range every weekend trying to get better, until one weekend where I bumped into an F class match and wasn't able to shoot that day but decided to hang around and volunteered to help with the match.
I learned more about shooting in one day from those guys than any internet forum or Youtube video could ever convey, and down the long range rabbit hole I went.
I've spent the past 7 years or so buying and selling rifles to find the right "one" for me, but had always held off going the custom route until now. I was torn between an Accuracy International and a custom build, with the current boondoggle going on in this country I decided to go down the custom path with Insite.
Build Experience - I had a fair number of emails and phone conversations with Andy at Insite and Harley as well, both of the guys are top shelf and truly provided insightful answers to all questions and choices based off what I wanted to do. The back and forth is necessary and its important to take the time to be sure of what you want to achieve with the rifle. Once all was decided I gave the green light to go ahead and the build got started, Andy checked in regularly with me to advise on process and double check things where necessary.
Turnaround time was quick at a few weeks because all the parts were on hand at Insite and the guys are absolute pros at what they do.
Stock or Chassis System - I was initially going to go with either a Manners PRS style stock or an MPA chassis system for the build. Andy introduced me to a third option I had not heard of with Foundation Stocks, I'm really happy I took his advice and did end up going with the Foundation for this build, the quality and attention to detail is second to none and it's difficult to describe but the rifle is just dead nuts stable when you press the trigger it comes straight back with no fuss or drama. The adjustability and options on the Foundation stocks are a best of both worlds of the traditional rifle stock and the features and flexibility of a chassis system with few compromises.
The Action - I was initially dead set on a Defiance Deviant action but again this is where the conversations and guidance from Andy and Harley came into play, both of the guys advised to take a look at Impact Precision for a few reasons, barrel interchange capability by the user with an action wrench and a bench vise, trigger hanger, resilience to dirt and dust getting in the action. The ability to calibre swap at my end simply by ordering up a barrel without having to ship the rifle back and forth was what clinched it for me (this is initially what attracted me to Accuracy International).
The Barrel - I was kind of all over the place on what to do for a barrel and was drawn to carbon fibre options from Proof or Hardy but because this was meant to be a target rifle with some PRS style matches I ended up going with a Krieger 4 groove, 26 inch topped off with a Heathen brake of course and an MTU profile to it. Initial cleanings were a couple of passes and patches were coming out clean without much effort on my part. Andy mentioned during our conversations that Harley treats the reamers they use like jewellery and guards them closely and from what I've seen this is the truth.
So how does it shoot? - Disclaimer I am no world class shooter and all of this shooting was conducted either benched off a bipod or prone off a bipod and rear bag. To put it simply this is the best rifle I have ever shot and it's putting out groups that I can't believe. I am not a take your time and wait all day for a lull in the wind style of shooter, I like pulling the trigger and will fully admit my guilt in rushing the shot as a bad habit I need to work on. I like getting hits and hearing the steel sing more than making bug holes at distance. The trigger pulls are fantastic with a Triggertech Diamond installed, combine that with the stock, the brake and the weight of the rifle at just shy of 20 pounds without optic and it's an absolute joy to shoot all day.
My best group at 300 yards, off the bench with bipod and rear bag. This was with 140 ELD-M running at 2750 fps, Lapua brass SRP, CCI BR4 primer, seated 5 thou off the lands with 41.3 grains of H4350 to motivate it down range. I shoot at Twin City Rifle Club in the Kitchener area and had a hell of a range buddy out this day as well as the Coach for the Canadian F class team Gord Ogg was there and was quite impressed with the rifle and as always incredibly helpful with advice.
Thank you doesn't seem like enough to say to Harley and Andy but I am very grateful for the excellent work you do and the rifle you put together here.
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Originally Posted by mildot
