Help selecting parts for custom rifle - confused with options

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AnotherCanuck

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You've probably built one before and been through this. Got some thoughts for someone who hasn't before? Here's what I'm after:

Requirements - budget minded build*, short action, 308 bolt face, magazine with room for activities (3.00" ideal)

Might spend a little more to get - 60deg bolt throw, lighter weight (6-8lb ideal all in, but that depends a lot on the barrel, I'm aware), two stage trigger, open to suggestions / thoughts

I think that leaves me with an AIAW (AW?) pattern magazine - let me know if there's other options. Will any stock/chassis that takes AICS mags accept AIAW mags?

Action - is there a lot of benefit to something like an Aero Precision, Solus Short Action over say a stock Remington receiver? Are there other good budget minded receivers I should be looking at? Savage?

Trigger - there seems to be some weirdness about trigger hangers and stock fitment, but I'm not clear on what works / doesn't or what I should look for or avoid. Are there some cheaper options for a two stage trigger or am I stuck with $400 range?

Build thoughts so far, not sure if these parts will actually work together:
Solus short action
TriggerTech, Remington 700 Primary Trigger
Magpul Hunter 700 Stock, Remington 700 Short Action
Savage small shank prefit barrel from... somewhere?
Accuracy International 308 mag - do they make 5rnd? or just 10?

*Budget is pretty subjective, so let's put numbers to it. Can I get away with this for under $3000 tax in? Or is that insufficient?

Build will be used 99.95% for fun, holes in paper or making steel sing, and 0.05% hauled through the jungles of vancouver island in search of delicious critters.

Anyway thus concludes my questions so far - all assistance and ideas greatly appreciated, I'd like to learn before I spend.
 
For magazines, most will be AICS pattern and you can go aftermarket rather than AI brand name. Accurate mag and MDT are great options. Get the metal version without binder plates for 2.995" internal length and they are available in a wide range of capacities from 3, 5, 10 and 12/13ish.
 
AnotherCanuck said:
I think that leaves me with an AIAW (AW?) pattern magazine - let me know if there's other options. Will any stock/chassis that takes AICS mags accept AIAW mags?
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AICS style is the way to go, lots of aftermarket options such as MDT for cost saving.

AnotherCanuck said:
Action - is there a lot of benefit to something like an Aero Precision, Solus Short Action over say a stock Remington receiver? Are there other good budget minded receivers I should be looking at? Savage?
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A stock Remington receiver will work but you'll spend some to get the action trued, unless you happen to find one really cheap and have a gunsmith that can blueprint the action then you're better off going something like a Pristine action (about $1200) and it fits a Remington 700 footprint.

AnotherCanuck said:
Trigger - there seems to be some weirdness about trigger hangers and stock fitment, but I'm not clear on what works / doesn't or what I should look for or avoid. Are there some cheaper options for a two stage trigger or am I stuck with $400 range?
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Triggertech is the way to go in my opinion and are priced below the $350 mark depending on which one you want. Their primary standard stigger though is fine for your application.

As for a barrel, look into a Wilson barrel, they can be had for about $450-$500 plus the gunsmithing costs to install it unless you can find a brand new take off Remington barrel.
 
First thing i would say is wait until you have a bigger budget. Stay away from factory recievers, there are quite a few decent options available for the 12-14
00$ range. My choices would be defiance classic, ultimatum HMB, aero solus, or cadex. As far as the stock on a budget id look at the mdt field stock or krg bravo. IBI has options for prefits and "remage" style barrels that will shoot great and not break the bank, i would go trigger tech for the two stage. Oh another budget minded action options would be stiller and kelbys atlas. You could probably build something from that list of parts around the 3k mark, especially if you are not in a rush and watch the EE.
 
Used tikka $800

Tigger is good out of the box.

Proof CFW prefit $1500

MDT chassis $600

Or drop $900 and get a prefit Steel barrel.

I think most important is the barrel… nothing worse than a ####ty barrel!

Honestly, I’ve had some full customs in 5,6 thousand range and they didn’t shoot any better,

I’ve only put 15 rounds through the barrel so far ( lol)

And this was the third (max) five round group.IMG_0772.jpgIMG_0773.jpg
 
You can get some nice used rifles in that price point. You'll be sacrificing something on your wishlist for sure, but will be better off than going with a Remington. I've seen a few nice builds on the EE for $2800-3200 that would cost you alot more to build yourself. I'd build off a solus before a pristine. If you want to do a budget build, tikka is the answer. They aren't the best, but offer a decent base to build on.
 
in my opinion stay away from pristine, dry cycled one in a store once, and holy smokes, it made my lone peak fuzion feel like a rolls royce. which it probably is, but if you are going with a custom action on a budget, go defiance classic or bighorn origin.

stock is 99% personal preference, ran chassis before, prefer the feel of a stock myself.

budget option trigger: drop the two stage go single stage trigger tech special.

Barrel/ gunsmithing work, don't go budget on that part, buy a krieger, benchmark, barlein or similar barrel, get the work done by a respectable smith and you'll be way happier. certainly if they know a thing or two about timing the trigger to the action.

On a side note, if I could do it all over from day 1, I would have waited to buy what I wanted vs settling for something that was in my budget at that time. just my 2cents
 
With respect to "blueprinting" a Remington 700 action... It is a waste of time and money to do it if it isn't necessary.
 
supernova said:
For magazines, most will be AICS pattern and you can go aftermarket rather than AI brand name. Accurate mag and MDT are great options. Get the metal version without binder plates for 2.995" internal length and they are available in a wide range of capacities from 3, 5, 10 and 12/13ish.
Click to expand...

####ing wicked, thank you - those AI brand mags are priced like there's drugs involved.
 
45C said:
I think most important is the barrel… nothing worse than a ####ty barrel!

Honestly, I’ve had some full customs in 5,6 thousand range and they didn’t shoot any better
Click to expand...

Definitely wanting to spend for the barrel, not cheaping out there at all.

I like your thoughts on the Tikka, but I have always just *wanted* a really ###y custom action, that's really the draw for me here or I'd just buy a Bergara or Tikka and not have to mess around
 
laker415 said:
You can get some nice used rifles in that price point. You'll be sacrificing something on your wishlist for sure, but will be better off than going with a Remington. I've seen a few nice builds on the EE for $2800-3200 that would cost you alot more to build yourself. I'd build off a solus before a pristine. If you want to do a budget build, tikka is the answer. They aren't the best, but offer a decent base to build on.
Click to expand...

Shopping on the EE is tempting, and I do it a fair bit for my real passion - weird old milsurp transition to smokeless/cartridge era. I know a lot about those. I know (@&*# nothing about building a custom gun and I don't want to get taken for a ride :[
 
Been in the custom gun business for a couple of decades.... a few things to consider

The barrel is your make or break in any build. Factory barrels are hit/miss and often... miss. Handloading well, is the best way to extract all the goodness in your barrel... and to get the performance you are investing in.

Match barrel prefits work just fine and I have taken them to the highest levels of F class competition and done well. If you prefer a gunsmith to install, have at it. The barrel and ammo (and bedding) will have a larger affect vs how it goes on your action.

Chamberings.. if you are set on a mag fed (AICS style) rifle, then the Creedmoor family is as good as it gets. My fave is the 22 CM (run at starting loads)... but the 6.5 CM is a great all rounder. Given that all will reach out to 1500yds and beyond, I don't see the point of trying to fuss with the 308 family these days (FYI, I competed with the 308win for years so know what it can do.. and I still shoot one). MANY shooters use the 6BR family... some the GT family. If you like it, go for it. I just find the CM family less fuss to set up for feeding and brass is more readily available at a lower cost.

The 223 Rem is another fantastic option but you really need to get a good scale to make this ammo as good as possible. These days, far easier to get components to feed this then other larger options. Cost per bang is way down.. if that matters to you. Finally, we have a great mag from MDT (steel 10rds) which end the issues to use a 'full size' mag with a smaller case. I would choose this over the BR family and have.

FYI, the Hrn 75gr ELDM is happy happy out to 1400yds... it just moves around alot more then bigger options.

Chassis... I love the MDT XRS and consider it the best option MDT currently makes. I use it for both PRS and Bench/ELR shooting. I suspect the field stock will work just fine too. Skim bedding is important and I do this regardless of stock/chassis installed.

Actions... decide what trigger pull weight you want. To me, this is the only question to lean a decision towards one receiver or another. If you need sub 1lbs, that will greatly limit what actions to consider. If looking for the more traditional 2+lbs, a whole lot more will work.

If an action is true, with a good trigger and firing pin system, they will all do the same thing on target... regardless of price. If you have a hankering for a 'custom' action, fly at it. Will it shoot better then other prepped factory options, nope... but you got to love what you own.

From the factory offerings today, my fave is the Rem 783. One of those unsung heros, marketed poorly by Rem and dressed to be a bit more homely so as not to take away sales from the 700. I have worked with and offered 700 type actions for a very long time... I much prefer the 783 AT the 2ish lbs trigger level. I compete in PRS with the 783s.. I also have them set for very long shots using my 22 CM and 223

Howa/Wby vanguard, Tikka and older Savage 10s are other great options.

Confusing... yeah, there are lots of parts and plenty of opinions. Does much of it really matter? just depends on your end use goals and the level of actual performance you want... for the vast majority of shooting for fun end users... Nope.

No issue building an absolute tack driver for under your budget even today with elevated costs.

YMMV

Jerry
 
Thank you Jerry - your word carries a lot of weight with me.

I'm going to try the creedmoor family to begin with, most likely 6mm. Couple or three years from now when I have roasted the rifling out I'll probably do something else - most likely 223.
 
I am sure you will really enjoy the 6CM... If handloading, I would lean you towards the 105/108gr family of 6mm goodness. The 109 and heavier can work, more fussy, cost more, need specific twists and may not be an easy entry point.

Even with lower pressure loads, after 1200rds in a good match barrel, you will notice a degrade in performance.. with things getting frustrating when you hit the mid teens. If you shoot on a regular basis, I doubt you will see 2 seasons of shooting before wanting a refresh. Once you have shot with a rifle that can 'no brainer' a small target at distance, lower accuracy just isn't much fun.

Plus the cost to shoot another 500rds isn't far off the cost of a new prefit with all the goodness.. burning through that many 'inaccurate' shots is so frustrating.

enjoy your journey.. in this sport there are limited things that matter, and a whole lot more stuff that makes you feel good. No wrong answer...

Jerry
 
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2462010-Ruger-american-preditor-6-5

https://mdttac.ca/mdt-field-stock-chassis-system/

Add a couple of mags and you are making noise for around $1200 (plus glass). I suspect you can find a decent MOA'ish factory ammo from Hornady

Shoot it for a season and just have some fun. Is this the end all? Of course not, but way too many shooters sit around dreaming and planning for a rifle they may never get vs those who are out there making holes in targets, learning and gaining real world experience.

A great performing scope and rings can be had for around $800. A simple reloading set up can bring you to your $3k budget

Keep the barrel cool and I bet you can find sub moa 3 to 4rds performance and learn, learn, learn.

Jerry
 
Mysticprecision said:
I am sure you will really enjoy the 6CM... If handloading, I would lean you towards the 105/108gr family of 6mm goodness.

enjoy your journey.. in this sport there are limited things that matter, and a whole lot more stuff that makes you feel good. No wrong answer...

Jerry
Click to expand...

Aye I'll be reloading for it, it's probably at least half the fun of the sport! Certainly more than half the time spent :D

The 105's will be where I start, with some SRP brass. LRP are too hard to find and irritatingly expensive. Ditto magnum powders.

I have a rather significant birthday coming and I've never had a "high quality" rifle (the only brand new gun I've ever had is a Savage), so I'm going to treat myself and get a nice quality action and barrel. The rest of it I can upgrade over time as I figure out what I like. Getting the tools to change the barrel myself seems like a wise investment as well. Barrel vice and a wrench, then see if I can borrow a go/no gauge set.

Definitely going to explore 6CM for a year or two, that'd get me to the end of the 1500rnds and from there who knows!

Thank you again for chipping in - I'm looking forward to this quite a bit.
 
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