Custom Hunting Rifle

m_moss23 said:
My advice is give Harley at insite arms a call .i was in the same boat as you a while back . Been wanting a custom build , had an idea of what I wanted in a rifle but not quite sure where to start . I talked to a few different shops . Most of them were just trying to sell me stuff and didn’t explain or discuss much . Harley answered all my questions and suggested products to fit my needs . I’m getting a rifle built by him now . If it turns out as awesome as their customer service so far it will be beautiful . I found as well it was a lot less hassle to just buy from the shop that’s doing your build . I looked into bringing in my own action and stock from the states and it was a bit of a pain in the ass . Most shops will order whatever you want though . As long as it’s something they recommend . You can get pre fit barrels from international barrels that use a savage type locking nut . You can install yourself with a set of headspace gauge . Some actions also have shoulder type pre fits . Then you would just need to get your other companants to match and assemble it . Would need stock bedding and stuff to s depending on what you use . Im sure other members can chime on with more expertise than me though
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I would also recommend calling Insite Arms.

For a hunting rifle action I would definitely be going with the new round Impact Precision 707R or the Impact NBK.

 
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Most of those components you can find in Canada, at stocking dealers, smiths.

I had a smith put together a 6.5 prc hunting rifle a few years back, then decided last year to put together my own bench rifle. Most all action manufacturers are pre-fit compliant, and you can get ready made pre-fit barrels. Trigger is minutes, and mounting in a chassis like the HN carbon is minutes.

My custom: defiance anti X, proof carbon barrel, XLR magnesium chassis, TT trigger. Sits just over 6 lbs before glass, ammo.

My bench rifle: Cadex R7 action, IBI heavy fluted stainless barrel, TT trigger, XLR magnesium chassis. Bought all the parts and put it together at home with go/no go gauges on my reloading desk. Took my time as it was my first, and didn't want to screw up, and still only took 10 min. First time at the range was a bit apprehensive, as it was my first. First shot was bullseye, right were I was aiming. It can be done at home without fancy action wrenches, barrel vices, and only take minutes to put things together. I use this rifle out to our range max of 1400m, and it is still a dream to shoot with now over 2000 rounds down it. Most chassis you do not need a bottom metal, so save there, plus the hassle of fitting it all.

There are lots of nice barreled actions for sale right now as well, if you want to save a few $$. Go big Tactical has a few, among others.
 
Mik123 said:
Lots of good advice above. My two cents is be aware that you will never get your money back if you decide to sell it, 50-60% of the value of the parts might be realistic. Speaking from experience hehe

Also, when you find a gunsmith, tell them your expectations for the build and what you want them to do. Confirm they understand. My last build wouldn't feed rounds when I got it, since the gunsmith left that for me to figure out.
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yeah after lessons learned I first scour market to see if what I want is available factory and go that way, but now he knows

op I think proof distributor is Korth in Okotoks Alberta if proof is where you want to get a barrel(or rifle perhaps?) etc.
 
Does anyone make a 300 win mag on a MDT HNT26 Chassis ? The other question I have is, would a Sako action and barrel fit in a MDT HNT26 Chassis......300 win mag Sako rifle would be the donor.. I am
looking for a gun to do everything, hunt deer, elk and moose. I want a tack driver, reliable, smooth operation and good quality parts. SS barrel, chassis, muzzle brake, crisp adjustable trigger. Not looking for a light weight mountain rifle. Not concerned if it's on the heavy side. Will be looking to put a Leupold VX 5 CDS on it.
 
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Cliffy72 said:
Does anyone make a 300 win mag on a MDT HNT26 Chassis ? The other question I have is, would a Sako action and barrel fit in a MDT HNT26 Chassis......300 win mag Sako rifle would be the donor.
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MDT chassis doesn’t fit Sako actions. Weatherby 307 (rem 700 design) Alpine comes in the MDT HNT26. Can get it in 300 win or 300 PRC
 
Ive built numerous custom rifles, and my advice to guys is this, don't fall for the "brand name" hype. I mean this as in Proof, Bartlien, Kreiger will shoot as good as a KS Arms, JC Customs, IBI etc. and they're a fraction of the price Same goes for actions, all custom actions are equally impressive, it comes down personal preference and what features you want (ie 90 degree throw, sako extractor, changeable bolt face etc) I'd rather save $350 on a pipe and buy a KS, IBI or JC barrel and put that money somewhere else in the build like optics or quality reloading components.

KS Arms in Edmonton makes probably the nicest custom action i've used to date. I own defiance, Curtis, Stiller and KS Arms.
Their barrels i've also had good luck with KS barrels, have yet to have one not shoot. My 6BR prints 1.3-1.5" groups at 600m quite regularly if I do my part.

Stocks are 110% personal preference, what I like you might not and vice versa.

Pick a reputable gun smith and talk to him and make a game plan. I would personally recommend Dennis Lair at Go Ballistic Gunsmithing in SK. He is awesome to deal with, an avid hunter and shooter. He also represents Canada on the world stages for F-Class, he knows accuracy. He's built numerous rifles for me and i've been extremely happy with them. Insite Arms is also top notch, those 2 companies are the only 2 that will ever build a rifle for me.
 
I reached out to a couple of places to see what they think/suggest, quote me. See what they suggest for the barrel/action/trigger/muzzle brake. The SS barrel length and the mdt chassis are two things it must have.

Can you give me a quote for a custom rifle please. Ready to fire, just needs the scope mounted.
MDT HNT26 Chassis w/Arca rail non-folding stock, 26" SS barrel, Directional muzzle break, adjustable single stage trigger, RH bolt action. I am looking for a tack driver, super smooth action, reliable and good quality gun. Chambered in .300 WM.
The rifle would be hand loaded for, using Barnes 175gr LRX bullets. Am open to suggestions on what combinations of parts you think would be best. This will be my hunt everything rifle.
Thanks Clinton
 
Cliffy72 said:
Does anyone make a 300 win mag on a MDT HNT26 Chassis ? The other question I have is, would a Sako action and barrel fit in a MDT HNT26 Chassis......300 win mag Sako rifle would be the donor.. I am
looking for a gun to do everything, hunt deer, elk and moose. I want a tack driver, reliable, smooth operation and good quality parts. SS barrel, chassis, muzzle brake, crisp adjustable trigger. Not looking for a light weight mountain rifle. Not concerned if it's on the heavy side. Will be looking to put a Leupold VX 5 CDS on it.
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If you want a tack driver buy a good barrel, single point cut rifled barrels, I’ve used dozens of different actions, factory Tikka, Sako A7, Win 70, Husqvarna, Carl Gustaf, Rem 700, Kimber 84M, 84L, 8400 and or full custom actions, and all have shot well but the one constant is I use good barrels.
 
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Weatherby Fan said:
If you want a tack driver buy a good barrel, single point cut rifled barrels, I’ve used dozens of different actions, factory Tikka, Sako A7, Win 70, Husqvarna, Carl Gustaf, Rem 700, Kimber 84M, 84L, 8400 and or full custom actions, and all have shot well but the one constant is I use good barrels.
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What brand of barrels would you suggest ?
 
Cliffy72 said:
What brand of barrels would you suggest ?
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Well I’m kind of partial to Benchmark cut rifled Barrels, but there is lots of good barrel makers around

Now a days you have to sometimes take what you can get as lead time can be over a year wait for some barrels,
IBI (International Barrels) is a Canadian company in the lower mainland of B.C. so a little easier to deal with and lead times are less.
 
I chased that custom for years and found out its just a dream and smoke that lingers for a time.
 
NOWAY said:
I chased that custom for years and found out its just a dream and smoke that lingers for a time.
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Constantly broke, eh???
Sounds like your pretend and imagination had a looong run..
Congratulations???
 
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Mik123 said:
Lots of good advice above. My two cents is be aware that you will never get your money back if you decide to sell it, 50-60% of the value of the parts might be realistic. Speaking from experience hehe
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If you can find one that suits you, a used custom rifle is one of the very best buys in sporting rifles.
 
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I love custom hunting rifles. I have one that has been evolving over the last several years. I had a bad experience at a well known gunsmith which pushed me towards shouldered prefit barrels to make future builds much easier. At the time there wasn’t as much available for custom actions to fit that requirement.

I ended up going with Bighorn Arms TL3s and SR3s. I started out with a KRG bravo chassis, then a Manners EH-1, then I went to a Wildcat Composites stock and now currently I’m using a Manners LRH. I always felt like I was a bit ahead of the aftermarket and would’ve always benefitted by just waiting for the aftermarket to catch up. Mostly in regards to bottom metal and mags, as well as tripod mounting and short ARCA rails. This is where the LRH checks a lot of boxes for me, but now I’m kind of eying up a pro hunter stock. I’ve been through a lot of bottom metal trying to make a long 28 Nosler work. From AICS mags, to Wyatt’s boxes, and now the Hawkins Hunter DBM, which I’m pretty happy with.

I currently have two 28 nosler barrels and a 7mm Rem Mag barrel for this setup. All Rock Creek #4 which I find a sweet spot for me for weight. Might be a little heavy for some though. Options were limited at the time for prefits in Canada. But JC Customs has since been doing prefits for my TL3 target rifles and I’d love to try a heavy magnum sporter contour for another 28 Nosler build.

Not counting the spare/replaced parts, or the custom reamers, scope and mount, etc. In its current configuration my single custom hunting rifle cost me about the same as 6 Tikka T3x lites. Best part is I haven’t shot a game animal past 200 yards with it. I do often make cold bore shots out to 730 yards on steel with it for fun, but usually all game has been inside 100 yards, other than the one whitetail at 200.

My current load is a 150 grain Barnes TTSX at 3330fps. Which is proving to be too fast for that bullet as it sheds its petals on impact. With a Vortex 3-15x42 LHT in a Spuhr hunting mount I’m just shy of 10lbs. There is room to shed weight but I’m liking the complete lack of recoil.
 
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