LR Hunting Build - Suggestions

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Bird Blaster

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I have done more posting than usual in the precision rifles form, guess I fell in love with my bolt guns again!

I was hoping to get some advice from fellow members on a potential LR hunting rig. I am leaning towards a 7mm build to take advantage of the BC and LR game possibilities. Currently I have a 30.06 which I am sorting out. I want something that shoots relatively flat, hence 7mm, has a good knockdown power out to 500+yrds - if the shot allows and is ethical. Game includes, deer, elk, carribou, moose and bear. This would be my hunting rig for home as well as for trips across Canada. I know there is some debate whether the 7mm is superior to the 30.06...and maybe I should just stick with the venerable 06! All opinions are welcomed! The rifle has to be fairly bullet proof to weather, take a beating in the bush and fire coldbore shots in a variety of weather that go where they should. I also don't want excessive recoil to allow for tracking and follow-up shots.

Currently I am leaning towards a 7mm in Rem Mag, a heavier barrel (not as big as sendero, but not a pencil sporter) likely helical fluted to cutdown on weight. Stiller or Defiance action, DBM, bedded stock (not sure on yet maybe A3?). I would like the gun to be around 8-9lbs before optics.

I guess the real starting point is what cartridge....all will be handloaded.

7mm Rem Mag
7mm Ultra Mag
300 WM


Am I dreaming????
 
You may want to look into a 7-08ai. Are you planning on shooting this rifle mostly from the prone or both offhand and prone? I feel the need for a heavy barrel in a rig like this is highly overrated, would think a #3 or #4 contour could be real nice. Maybe have a look at the Macmillan gamescout stock, the stocks by greybull precision (carried by bighorn sales) may also be worth looking into. 500 yards is well within range for a 30-06 to flatten any critter you mentioned just fine.
 
A lot of your weight will be in the barrel. Length and fluting is good but when it comes to barrel contour remember that the smaller the caliber, the heavier the barrel will be in the same dimensions (less metal removed for the narrower bullet)

To show the heavy side, I have a 28" Heavy Varmint Contoured Krieger Barrel. It is a rifled for 6.5mm (260AI) and the thing weighs more than most rifles. If that same barrel was cut for 30cal for example it would weigh less.

I would consider what Robmcleod82 said about heavy barrel contours being overrated. With a 7mm build, you can get the same rigidity out of a smaller contour which will improve your chances of meeting your goal weight. If you are planning to hunt 500yds and less, you also won't need a significantly long barrel either. You are probably fine at the 22-24" mark.

Are you planning to only hunt stationary. Are you planning to hike long distances with the rifle?

I am also in the process of building a long range hunter and I am going with 300Winmag. Mainly due to the availability of precision shooting products made for it, and the ability to send larger rounds. Absolutely nothing wrong with 7mm though. I was initially picking between 7mm Rem Mag, and 300WM. Both very capable. I just have a friend that has a 300WM long range hunter and it has proven to me to be very capable round.

I am also making mine a lightweight but going with the most expensive option to achieve it.
 
Thanks for the replies. Certainly the 06 is no slouch, but I am drawn to the 7mm and the larger cartridges listed for LR and keep my 06 for work around the home province.

The rifle is meant for backcountry hunting / hiking /hills / tundra etc. I guess thinking of it as an ELK rifle would probably be best as it would suit the needs of a moose/bear/caribou etc rifle. Shooting would be seated off a backpack mostly or off-hand (closer shots only).

ceriksson - curious if you are doing carbon at all? Other than your friend what drove you away from 7mm rounds?

thanks

edit: I had been sort of eyeing #5 contours something around 26" and around 0.7 at the muzzel
 
Bird Blaster said:
Thanks for the replies. Certainly the 06 is no slouch, but I am drawn to the 7mm and the larger cartridges listed for LR and keep my 06 for work around the home province.

The rifle is meant for backcountry hunting / hiking /hills / tundra etc. I guess thinking of it as an ELK rifle would probably be best as it would suit the needs of a moose/bear/caribou etc rifle. Shooting would be seated off a backpack mostly or off-hand (closer shots only).

ceriksson - curious if you are doing carbon at all? Other than your friend what drove you away from 7mm rounds?

thanks

edit: I had been sort of eyeing #5 contours something around 26" and around 0.7 at the muzzel
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I am doing Pierce Titanium Action with a Proof Research Carbon Fiber Barrel. XLR Carbon Tacticla Lite chassis. So yes, plenty of carbon.

I chose 300WM as it has a long history of being a long range round. Nothing drove me away from the 7mm, I was just drawn more to the 300WM thats all. My whole plan was initially to build a 7mm but I have since been sold.

Mind you I haven't purchased everything yet nor had anything chambered so nothing is definite yet.

BTW I have a Stiller Tac 30 Action on my 260AI and it is a beautiful action.
 
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Here is a rifle I built a while back that would fit your needs perfectly. The specs on this one were trued rem700, bell and Carlson medalist stock, hs precision detachable bottom metal, rem Ks mountain rifle contour benchmark 9 twist chambered in 7rem mag. It now wears an m1 turret on the fixed 6 fx3 leupold. Now if it were my rifle I would have probably run a #3 contour barrel and that would be a near perfect build for you (on a stiller or surgeon action)
 
Talk to Gary at Big Horn sales, he will have or can get everything you need. Actions, barrels, stock, bottom metal and triggers. I recently got a Stiller Predator stainless action form him and it is a work of art compared to a Remington. I have Remingtons too and they are very good too, just the finish work and details on a custom action are that much better. Have a look at the 280AI as well, very similar ballistics to the 7mmRem Mag with a bit less powder and recoil. I will be in your shoes sometime next year, building my forever rifle so I am curious to see what you come up with. Good luck!
 
ceriksson really has me re-reading about 300WM. I was really leaning to 7mm, but maybe I overlooked something. It is a fine balance I suppose between many different variables!!

Crashman: Funny you mentioned Bighorn sales, I did chat with Gary a little and am still doing so. The more people I talk to the closer I will get to what I want. How do you like that predator????? I have read really good reviews about it.
 
Bird Blaster said:
ceriksson really has me re-reading about 300WM. I was really leaning to 7mm, but maybe I overlooked something. It is a fine balance I suppose between many different variables!!

Crashman: Funny you mentioned Bighorn sales, I did chat with Gary a little and am still doing so. The more people I talk to the closer I will get to what I want. How do you like that predator????? I have read really good reviews about it.
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Don't let my points dissuade you from 7mm Rem Mag. I have nothing against it whatsoever. I am just taking the safe route.
 
I'm in the process of putting together a similar build. I decided to start with a Tikka m65 action. I came across the gun with a broken stock for a good deal. My McMillian game scout just showed up and I have a 7mm broughton blank ready to go. It's fluted, #4 contour, 1-9 twist and will finish at 26''. I'll be chambering it in 7mm rem mag. It should end up in the 10lb range scope depending.
 
dfrombc said:
I'm in the process of putting together a similar build. I decided to start with a Tikka m65 action. I came across the gun with a broken stock for a good deal. My McMillian game scout just showed up and I have a 7mm broughton blank ready to go. It's fluted, #4 contour, 1-9 twist and will finish at 26''. I'll be chambering it in 7mm rem mag. It should end up in the 10lb range scope depending.
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VERY VERY INTERESTED in your build - sounds great! What is your intended purpose with the rifle? Is it similar to mine?
 
Tchardy said:
Remember. The lighter the rifle, the more recoil you deal with. If it kicks hard you will shoot it less.
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I agree with that. I took my Rem 700 5R moose hunting this year. A little on the heavier side, but I trusted it more than my 30.06. Looking for some more power and slightly lighter than the 5R! That being said the trusty 308 bagged a moose none the less.
 
Bird Blaster said:
ceriksson really has me re-reading about 300WM. I was really leaning to 7mm, but maybe I overlooked something. It is a fine balance I suppose between many different variables!!

Crashman: Funny you mentioned Bighorn sales, I did chat with Gary a little and am still doing so. The more people I talk to the closer I will get to what I want. How do you like that predator????? I have read really good reviews about it.
Click to expand...

Rifle is not built yet, so far I have most of the parts, just missing the stock and bottom metal/mags. The Stiller is fantastic though, I have had Pierce too and I would say they are similar in quality and price. Would not hesitate to use either one. Remington are great, the standard really, but after you true the action and square everything up, it is still a Remington, it just cost you a LOT more, almost as much as a custom.
 
After some consideration I think I am looking at a couple of things still.

Caliber: 7mm Rem Mag
Action: Stiller Predator
Barrel: Benchmark either #4 or #5 fluted (#5 fluted should weigh the same as the #4)
Stock: This is where I am having some difficulty. I really really like my McMillan A3 but worry that it may be too heavy (0.5lbs more). I want a vertical grip stock. I am also considering the McMillan gamescout as well as the Manners EH-1. I have not seen or handled an EH-1 before, it seems similar to the A3.
Mag: Badger DBM

Again, I would like to keep it around 8lbs before being scoped. Shooting is prone, sitting, off a backpack and the odd offhand shot.
 
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In reference to the 300 WM no disrespect
but I shoot a 7mm mag , 6.5 and 7.62 x51
and I shoot against 2-300 one a custom 700 and the other one a old factory sako 300 Wetherby
i will say this in hunting conditions your always playing the weather and those 300 s need to shoot a 210 AMax to compete with my
168 amax . And there fighting and bucking the weather the whole ride .
With a 5-10mile cross wind the 300 at 1 - 2 MOA and on the 7 mm
im 1/2 moa and on the 6.5 im a 1/4
being a long rang hunter for years

love my mag but I can place the bullet behind the ear with the 6.5 and shoot 1/2 groups at 300 yards and this is not Moa
the mags make me open up a little from the recoil .

And Both my sako and styer 3006are slugs compared to the 6.5 rem and 7
Mm tikka m65
 
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