1st custom rifle - final decisions needed

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jayquiver

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I did it… I bought my first custom action, a Defiance Machine Anti . I've been eyeing up this for a while and found one in stock spec'd out exactly how I would have ordered it without the wait, magnum bolt face, in XM action size (3.200”) and included bottom metal.

I bought the XM action with intent on running a 7 Saum running 168’s to 180’s grain bullets or a 300 WSM running 180’s to 210’s grain bullets being able to seat bullets out.

Stock - I think I will be putting it into a Wildcat Composite KS Tac Hunter or a Manners EH1 (if I can find one). Open to other suggestions.


Couple of questions

1. Barrel length - what is best for each cartridge? Leaning towards a 22” barrel out to 24” max.

2. Thinking Benchmark, IBI or KS Arms for Steel. Thinking Hells Canyon Armour or Proof in Carbon. Thoughts or other suggestions? The Wildcat Stock fits a #3 contour but can be opened up to a Sendro Light profile.

3. What contour barrel would you go with? Thinking a #2 to #4 but not sure.

4. Twist rate? 1 to 8.5 twist for the Saum or 1 in 10 twist for the 300 wsm, maybe 1-9?

Building this rifle to be a dedicated Elk rifle, under 8.5 pounds scoped, that is easier to shoot then my Kimber’s at longer ranges (500+). Will get some range use too.

Would you go 7 Saum or 300 WSM and what bullet/barrel details would you choose? I do reload.
 
Sounds like it’s going to be a great rifle!

I’d lean 7. I like the bullet selection, and less recoil doesn’t hurt either.
 
Awesome build!
Caliber for me would be down to availability of components etc. Assuming you reload 7SAUM would be my choice. Although the 300WSM is a great cartridge and more than capable for what you need.

I would go 180s for a 7SAUM and if steel a #3 24". Its always easier to cut to 22" if you find it too long.
 
My thoughts;

In a factory rifle, I would not be concerned about a 20" or 22" barrel... in a custom rifle, I would want to realize some additional benefit for the money spent... go 24" for some additional velocity without becoming too unwieldy.

Same goes for the cartridge you are chambering, don't chamber for a "run-of-the-mill" cartridge, you're spending significant money, make it somewhat unique, without getting silly and forcing yourself into a five or six step brass prepping situation... personally, for an elk rifle, I would go with a .280 AI or similar, where brass and ammo are available, but not every Joe Schmoe will have one... if you get too funky the rifle will lose significant value if you ever decide to sell it.

As for the stock, I would avoid the temptation to get too light, especially if you are going to shoot heavier bullets at max loadings (and why wouldn't you), or put in significant range time (and you should). A MacMillan or Manners is an option of course, but probably the best bang for your buck is a Bell & Carlson fiberglass, if they make it for your action.

As for barrel contour, it never makes sense to me, when someone chooses and Ultralight stock and then goes with a heavier contour barrel, creating and uncomfortable muzzle heavy rig. For a hunting rifle, I would worry less about the stock and go lighter on the barrel... a #2 contour is a reasonable compromise between weight and potential accuracy. The brand matters less than the overall specs of the barrel, most brands are potentially accurate or inaccurate as the case may be.

All in all, a 24" #2 stainless barrel chambered in .280 AI, set in a B&C stock would be cost effective, unique enough without inherently devaluing the final package and a very effective (and attractive), custom rifle for all-around use in addition to being an elk specialist. JM2C
 
Is the bottom metal for an AI mag?

I really like the look of those KS hunter stocks.

If I remember right Bob Jury’s barrels come in a little cheaper than the KS ones. I can’t speak to KS but he is very easy to deal with and accommodating of various dimensions

You’ve probably thought about this but is 7 saum brass available in enough quantity to get a “ lifetime supply” ? I know custom or semi custom rifles can empty the old slush fund so 7 or 300 wsm might be a better call for donour or correctly head stamped brass availability


Again you have probably already thought of this, but if you are putting a 500 yard capable scope on it balance will be affected for sure. Might work out to your advantage with a slightly heavier barrel? I’m not one for heavy scopes so I can’t speak to that personally
 
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I actually have a 7mm Benchmark Barrel #2 contour 1-8.5 twist on order, should be here in a couple of weeks. Originally it was going to go on my Kimber Montana but It may get moved. Just not sure if I want to go that light for this build.
 
conor_90 said:
Is the bottom metal for an AI mag?

I really like the look of those KS hunter stocks.

If I remember right Bob Jury’s barrels come in a little cheaper than the KS ones. I can’t speak to KS but he is very easy to deal with and accommodating of various dimensions

You’ve probably thought about this but is 7 saum brass available in enough quantity to get a “ lifetime supply” ? I know custom or semi custom rifles can empty the old slush fund so 7 or 300 wsm might be a better call for donour or correctly head stamped brass availability


Again you have probably poop thought of this, but if you are putting a 500 yard capable scope on it balance will be affected for sure. Might work out to your advantage with a slightly heavier barrel? I’m not one for heavy scopes so I can’t speak to that personally
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its a floor plate XM BDL Kit that is on Defiance Machine website. I believe Sunny Hill makes it but not sure. love floor plates and blind mags for hunting.

I have handled the Wildcat Stock KS Arms Tac Hunter stock... very nice. I just found a Manners EH 1 Stock inletted for my action. I have never owned a Manners before but have heard good things.
 
I figured that was the case, isn’t the tac hunter designed for an AI bottom metal?

Doubt it would be an issue for a smith experienced in that stuff. Besides KS you might want to talk to Gary Flach, his number is on wildcats website and he is something of a synthetic stock guru among other things
 
I think the Tac Hunter is designed for floor plates and KS Arms own bottom metal and HS precisions mags but not 100% on that. I know their 2 lug action works with floor plates and mags and their 3 lug actions works with mags, just not sure if they are AI mags.

I have been talking with Gary, I am fairly positive he's going to put this rifle together for me. I was going to get Gary to put a Winchester model 70 action into a KS Tac Hunter stock that project may have to wait now - lol. so I think like you said he can make almost anything work.

Stuart @ Wildcat Composites is a couple months build time right now.
 
- A blind magazine will make the rifle more lighter and rigid
- With short barrels, lots of unburned powder, loss of velocity, get a longer barrel, 26"
- Purchase Canadian barrels- I have two Bob Jury and two Ron Smith, awesome match grade barrels
- Barrel profile - sporter, .630" or .650" at the muzzle
- Trigger Tech at 1.5 lb.
 
track said:
- A blind magazine will make the rifle more lighter and rigid
- With short barrels, lots of unburned powder, loss of velocity, get a longer barrel, 26"
- Purchase Canadian barrels- I have two Bob Jury and two Ron Smith, awesome match grade barrels
- Barrel profile - sporter, .630" or .650" at the muzzle
- Trigger Tech at 1.5 lb.
Click to expand...

There is a lot to like with these suggestions. I'd hate to be building a lightweight rifle and then putting on a 26" tube. Don't get me wrong, I think a 26" barrel makes the most sense in something with that kind of chambering, but it sure would end up nose heavy...especially with a light stock. Not sure how I would reconcile those competing interests, but it would definitely be interesting to handle a rifle like that once completed.
 
You could split the difference for 300 saum, better feeding, and longer neck. Hornady #10 has it running 220 eldx at 2700 with the wsm at 2650. Brass isn’t that hard to find between Norma and nosler. Noslers online data has them at 2750 and 2760 also with 220gr bullets.
To answer a few of your questions though you’ll need a #2 contour to make your weight target I believe and 24” would be worthwhile. If 30 cal go 9 twist. Of the two options I’d give preference to the 7 saum.
 
Things are happening quickly.

Action arrived 2 days ago.
Yesterday the Manners Stock I found, Ietted for the my exact action, arrived.
Picked up a Trigger Tech Special also.

The stock is inletted to fit a Benchmark #3 contour. I have a Benchmark #2 in .284 with a 1-8.5 twist on order already for another project. May just move it to this one or pick up another barrel.

Is it much work for a gunsmith to open up the barrel channel for carbon barrel? Something like a Sendro Lite or IBI Carbon Hunter?

So basically calibre and barrel the only 2 things left to decide.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B1xuHftCHbzDhuJA9
 
Well I thought I had this figured out until I tried to find brass. I was going to do a 7 saum but cant find brass anywhere. So I considered a 6.5 PRC...cant find brass anywhere either.

I've been out of the reloading game for a bit. How bad is out there for brass?

How long are you guys waiting for dies and Brass these days.

Little discouraging to have a new rifle build but nothing to shoot .
 
jayquiver said:
Well I thought I had this figured out until I tried to find brass. I was going to do a 7 saum but cant find brass anywhere. So I considered a 6.5 PRC...cant find brass anywhere either.

I've been out of the reloading game for a bit. How bad is out there for brass?

How long are you guys waiting for dies and Brass these days.

Little discouraging to have a new rifle build but nothing to shoot .
Click to expand...

In regards to brass yeh its hit and miss but just phone up one of the supplier/retailers and order some, it will show up usually sooner than later, you can also check with Lapua or ADG on when they do their next run of your desired cartridge/brass so you then will know roughly the lead time, get your order in early !

in regards to your stock any respectable gunsmith should be able to open up a barrel channel on a wildcat stock to accommodate your desired contour, Ive had several of them done by Gary Flach

here's a heavy hunter Hells Canyon Armoury in a Wildcat Rem 700 Short Action stock, its also a Defiance Rebel XM action and Gary altered the SA stock to accommodate the XM action,


I just bought a Manners exposed carbon stock insetted for my Defiance AnTi XM action, 7 SAUM build, Benchmark CF barrel contour is also like a Lite Hunter so Gary will open up the barrel channel on this stock as well.



 
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