Looking for info on my first build

Remmy700

Remmy700

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As the title states I'm looking for a few bits of info to help me get started on my first build. Ive been off work since the beginning of May with a grenaded knee, ACL, MCL and meniscus yada yada yada and just had surgery on the 29th so now CGN has become my new best friend since all I can do is hold down the couch for the next little while.

I was thinking of building another 10/22 but after my initial injury I upgraded my SR22 with a GM barrel, Timney trigger, Kidd bolt/firing pin/extractor/buffer, DIY auto bolt release. Then for the super tacticool look I add Dlask rail set, Magpul ACS-L buttstock, MOE+ handgrip, RSA & ASAP sling attachment, AFG-2 forend grip and MBUS sights. I haven't added optics yet but was thinking of a ACOG on a cantilever mount and then I sat back and started to roughly figure out what this MOPC (minute of pop can) 22 had just cost to build......

Well after that I figured I should slow down a bit so I bought another Hogue overmolded stock for my Remington 700 SPS Tactical in 308. I started by dremeling a channel down the centre where I inlaid a cardon fibre arrow shaft before bedding it to add even a bit more rigidness. The stock Hogue stock is just to flimsy, if you used a bipod the forend would touch the barrel but after this upgrade the barrel now remains free floated when using a bipod but beside that it remains stock. I have a Badger Ordnance 1pc max 20 MOA base, Burris tactical rings and a Bushnell elite tactical LRHS 3-12x44 for glass and a Harris 6-9 bipod.

I have a couple Savage model 93's, one is a 93r17 BV and the other is a 93r17 BVSS, both have the accu trigger with Bushnell 3200 elites 3-9x40 and Harris 6-9 Bipods. I was thinking about doing one of these up but beyond stocks and barrels there isn't to many other options and they are both respectable tack drivers.

So this is where I'm at and figure if I do a complete build it'll take up the remainder of healing time. So to start it off I'm getting a MDT tac21 700 SA chassis in black, Magpul PRS buttstock and handgrip in foliage green, I'm pretty set on a Sightron 8-32x56 for glass, Burris tactical or USMC rings.

So now for the actual questions keeping in mind I've never built a precision/centre fire rifle before. Also if it helps my old man dabbles with reloading and has all the equipment but he hasn't done much of it in the last 10 years but is starting to get back into it, for Xmas he got me the dies I needed to reload for my 308.

I seem to be having a heck of a time finding info on where to buy actions and by the few I've found it seems like it would be cheaper to buy a new/used 700, use the action and sell the rest or I could possibly use my 308 as a donor but would rather not. I was planning on sticking to 223 or 308 to help keep cost of shooting down but was curious if either the 223/308 bolt face could be used with another caliber with changing just the barrel?

Other things I'm looking for a little insight on it barrel brands, length and twist. Was also looking for some info on good scope reticles for long range shooting.

I've shot my 308 at 300yrds lots but I'm looking to push it out to 600yrds with this rig. It'll be used mostly for punching paper and ringing gongs and the occasional varmint clean up at my cousins ranch. For the budget I'd just say be realistic, I'm not rich but I assume the glass will be roughly $1000, chassis and buttstock will run another $1000 and from what I've managed to find think I should be able to get the action and barrel for another $1000. Then of coarse there will be the trueing and blue printing.

Any and all info is appreciated and thanks for reading my long winded post.
 
Have to remember gunsmithing costs as well. My sugestion would be to first call up your gunsmith of choice and see what he says. Nothing is worse than compiling a bunch of parts then realizing you dont have the money to get it put together.
I figure since someone else will ask anyways. How far are you planning on shooting and to what degree of accuracy?
If not going for extreme range and extreme accuracy your factory remington might be a viable option for long range instead of a new build.
 
I remembered about gun smithing and that's why I mentioned trueing and blue printing and I did mention I'd like to push it out to 600yrds or better mostly paper and steel but also the odd varmint trip. As for accuracy, as good as possible in my realistic budget. The rifle is going to far exceed my skills and capability for years to come I would imagine.

I read CGN quite regularly and most threads for people starting are vague, hence my long winded explanation and few specific question but you did help me to remember another question I had and forgot to ask. Does anyone on hear have a good gunsmith they would recommend on Vancouver Island?
 
The only 2 gunsmiths on the island i can think of would be gunsmoke or granlund firearms both in campbell river. Either of them may know a bit about blueprinting but thats about it they are more store owners than gunsmiths. Odds are you will have to ship your rifle to a gunsmith on the mainland. I am also doing a precision rifle build and am going to be sending it to bob galloway in rocky mountain house. The other gunsmith i considered was jerry at mystic precision.
 
Drop Gary an email, thereamerguy@yahoo.ca[/email]
He can help you with every part your are looking for, he has the best prices in the country and is awesome to deal with. He takes the time to explain the answers to your questions. He deals with benchmark barrels, stiller, defiance, remington and a few others for actions. As for a gunsmith, depending on where you live there are lots of great ones around but also a lot of over priced ones that don't do a great job. The two listed above would not be for first choices at all but everybody has one they like to use
 
I've heard nothing less than stellar reviews about Jerry at Mystic Precision and since that's probably where I'm going to order my barrel from I might as well let them do the smithing.

The one question I'm really curious about having answered. I'm wanting to stick to 223/308 to keep cost down, my question is can a 308 action/bolt be reused if I wanted to change to another 30 caliber cartridge down the road?

As for barrels, maybe a couple recommendations on length and twist for shooting 600yrds
 
Jerry at mystic isn't a gunsmith, he gets terry at black art to do it. Dennis is good, as for twist you'll need to know what bullet you plan on shooting but an 11 or 12 will work fine. As for other calibers on a short action there is a ton of options but not without changing the barrel
 
Thanks guys for the positive recommendation.

No problem helping you get set up. There are lots of options.. some you haven't even considered.

Give me a PM or email (if you haven't already done so) and I will be happy to help you get set up.

Jerry
 
X3 on Dennis , he does all my work and I couldn't be happier , off the top of my head to build a rifle -true action then thread, chamber , install barrel and bed the action will be around 475
 
Well the few place that actually sell actions that I've found are the same price as a new rifle so I'm probably just going to buy one and sell off what I don't need.

From what I've read the 308 family is 243,260,7-08 and 308 all which share the same bolt/face. I thought I was certain I wanted a 308 but after some reading the 243 and 260 both sound quite intriguing. Maybe it's because I already have a 7-08 and 308. Opinions on those calibers.

Anyone know off the top of there head what other calibers will work with a 223 bolt/face?
 
Nothing available in ackley as far as I know, but 260 rem ammo isn't too hard to find. If you're just gonna buy ammo I would stick with 308. If you decide to reload, the 260 is the way to go IMO. And as far as buying an action goes, talk to your gunsmith. I looked at custom actions and rem 700 actions. I decided to buy a savage donor rifle for my build. I'm not sure if I made the right choice or not, but if I did, I Probly saved about $1000. Also, I put about $3000 on my budget and I'm thinking It will likely end up being closer to $5k once it's all done and I have everything I need.
 
The first cartridge that comes to my mind for a 223 bolt face is the 300 blackout. Not exactly a long range setup but could be fun for plinking.
 
take your 308 as a donor and build a 6 dasher with a 8 twist 30 inch barrel, loading is easy and recoil is mute, good for everything from smashing varmints to shattering 1000 yard group records, it will shoot everything from 60 grain varmint bullets right up to 108 grain VLD match bullets, I know where the reamer is 2 hours north of you, same man has the lathe and a proven track record
 
yodave said:
take your 308 as a donor and build a 6 dasher with a 8 twist 30 inch barrel, loading is easy and recoil is mute, good for everything from smashing varmints to shattering 1000 yard group records, it will shoot everything from 60 grain varmint bullets right up to 108 grain VLD match bullets, I know where the reamer is 2 hours north of you, same man has the lathe and a proven track record
Click to expand...

This is a very tempting offer as my dad reloads and is going to show me the ropes. What would be a rough estimate in cost for your friends service? The only thing that makes me hesitate is that all brass has to be made, and everything I read says the only decent brass for this caliber is Lapua.

What advantages does the 6 dasher have over the 260? The 260 is sounding good just for the fact that there is commercial ammo available.
 
I'm working on a 260 build myself right now, using a 308 action I had put through the paces. Great cartridge and leaves you the option to grab box ammo for those varmints if you don't have time to reload a critter gitter round!

6.5 Creedmore is another option to look into, there are a few companies loading box ammo and popularity is growing. See if there is anything for ammo in your area..

Action wise you have the options of finding a used 243/308 or finding a cheap Rem 700 SPS and selling off the barrel, trigger, and stock to fund the rest of the build. A buddy of mine found a 243 SPS for $480 and recouped $150 selling off those parts. Food for thought!

If you stick with the 308 a 11.25" or 12" twist works great with the 168 grain bullets. For 260 I'm planning to go 1:8 for 140 grain bullets. Next you have to choose a contour for the barrel. I decided to go with a 24" MTU contour as this will help keep POI steady through long strings of fire. A thinner barrel will start to shift POI as it heats up but if you don't plan on shooting 10+ rounds quickly you can save a lot of weight with something like a varmint/sendero contour. My build is intended for practical rifle competition so I'll go through 10 rounds pretty quickly then barely cool down before doing it again.

One more area to research will be your trigger. A stock trigger can drive you crazy if you're trying to shoot small groups.. I was going to install a Jewell trigger but am now rethinking this since I heard they're very sensitive to dust and debris. I'll probably stick with Timney since I can get the pull down to just under 2lbs and it will put up with the dust blowing up form the guy next to me and his giant muzzle brake :)
 
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