Thinking of building "mountain" rifle

domyalex

domyalex

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Looking to complement my .308 Vanguard S1 and I'm thinking that a lightweight "deer" rifle could just be the thing. To make it that bit more special, I'm thinking of doing my first build.

So far I'm thinking

Rem 700 SA action ($400?)
Barrel: 22", no idea which one, this will be a hunting rig, _consistent_ 1 moa is the target. I'm thinking a #2 countour could be ideal (no pencil barrel accuracy/heat issues, but still lighter than standard sporter) ($315)
Caliber: .260
Stock: McMillan Rem Mountain Rifle ($537) Is it really _that_much better than, say, a B&C?

Some back-of-the-envelope math shows this would be doable for $1.6k-$1.8k, correct? (would be happy to spend less)

Besides the gunsmithing expenses, anything else to keep in mind?
 
Why not a Browning X-Bolt stainless stalker 22" barrel with the carbon finer stock? Or a Kimber Montana? I suppose building a custom is fun and all, but you would save a good chunk of $$$ for the optics.
 
Go custom and get what you want the first time if you are willing to spend the cash.

Factory rifles are designed for most people for most of the time, whereas a custom rifle designed by you will be a precision tool to be used in the correct applications that suit your needs, and it is enormously satisfying to do it yourself.

Go for it!
 
domyalex said:
Looking to complement my .308 Vanguard S1 and I'm thinking that a lightweight "deer" rifle could just be the thing. To make it that bit more special, I'm thinking of doing my first build.

So far I'm thinking

Rem 700 SA action ($400?)
Barrel: 22", no idea which one, this will be a hunting rig, _consistent_ 1 moa is the target. I'm thinking a #2 countour could be ideal (no pencil barrel accuracy/heat issues, but still lighter than standard sporter) ($315)
Caliber: .260
Stock: McMillan Rem Mountain Rifle ($537) Is it really _that_much better than, say, a B&C?

Some back-of-the-envelope math shows this would be doable for $1.6k-$1.8k, correct? (would be happy to spend less)

Besides the gunsmithing expenses, anything else to keep in mind?
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McMillan and B&C should not be used in the same sentence. Yes, McMillan is that much better. But you could check out Wildcat stocks in AB, he makes a 17 oz stock that competes with the McMillan Wave, but has a much shorter wait time. Ron Smith makes excellent barrels and again his lead time is much shorter than the big American makers for a product of equal if not better quality, and you have the option of gain twist rifling if you like the idea. If you wanted say 1:8, the twist would start at 1:16 and end at 1:8 at the muzzle. The advantage is that in theory its easier on the bullet with better accuracy being the result. The disadvantage is if you wish to shorten the barrel down the road, that changes the twist. Get the gunsmith to work out where the balance point will be with your 22" barrel, you might find that a 24" barrel balances better, given the light contour. You might want to have the gunsmith lighten the action by fluting the bolt, milling the receiver, and adding a titanium firing pin.
 
Owning both a Steyr Scout 308 and a Forbes 24B 30-06 from Prophet, the Forbes is a lot lighter all dressed, did not shoot it yet but everything is so snug on it, you cant miss, just a tad under 6.5 pounds with all the works... JP.
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I have a couple M700 action custom mountain rifles - great rifles. Though, my best handling, lightest and most accurate rifle (not to mention least hassle and most affordable, in the end) for the mountain hunting I do is my Kimber Montana 84M - 6lbs 2 oz, scoped, loaded and with a sling and an easy subMOA shooter with my handloads. It will be very difficult to get a custom M700 down to that weight without spending much more than is in your budget. I'm sure the forbes rifle is a great one too, but alas, not available in all stainless so a deal breaker for me. If I had to do it all again, I would of picked up the kimber long ago and bypassed the custom route altogether.
 
I would loved a Kimber to but a very bad experience with a 84 steer me away from them, this 84, i could never have to shoot better than 1,5 MOA, sent it back and they told me it was within parameters, to bad i did not buy it from one of our dealers, for me Kimber is a burned brand... Not funny that a 1500.00 308 is the worst 308 of my herd... Sometimes snit happen... HP.
 
This is my ultra lightweight mountain game rifle I put together, but significantly above your budget stated.
Remington 700 Ti 300 WSM barreled action, with PT&G alum bolt shroud and firing pin c/ speedlock, Brown Precision 14 oz Kevlar stock, leupold Vari XII 3-9 compact in weaver rings. 5 lbs 15 oz all up with ammo and sling.





This was first blood for my mountain rifle, my son James took this Dall ram with it........it's not in the picture 'cause it ain't his rifle, he said........little $####head !!!!!
 
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caramel said:
Owning both a Steyr Scout 308 and a Forbes 24B 30-06 from Prophet, the Forbes is a lot lighter all dressed, did not shoot it yet but everything is so snug on it, you cant miss, just a tad under 6.5 pounds with all the works... JP
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caramel said:
I would loved a Kimber to but a very bad experience with a 84 steer me away from them, this 84, i could never have to shoot better than 1,5 MOA, sent it back and they told me it was within parameters, to bad i did not buy it from one of our dealers, for me Kimber is a burned brand... Not funny that a 1500.00 308 is the worst 308 of my herd... Sometimes snit happen... HP.
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Thats awesome! You couldnt get a Kimber to shoot but you are bragging up a Forbes which you haven't shot yet. You cant miss, right. LOL!

the Forbes is a lot lighter all dressed, did not shoot it yet but everything is so snug on it, you cant miss
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I have first hand experience with four kimber Montana's and all of them have been MOA shooters, actually all under MOA. Maybe you need to learn how to shoot. Oops, I forgot who I am talking to.... Hahahaaaa.... :p
 
Build what you want the first time and do it right.

If you want a .260, bottom metal or DM, forget kimber and forbes, neither are available. Also if you go custom, you can choose the profile, colour, and finish of McMillan that suits you, not a one-size-fits-all stock.

I built a custom .260 on a Sako 75 action, with a 21" #1ish profile barrel and McMillan Sako 75 EDGE stock. After dozens of rifles and configurations, I just did it the way I wanted and the way that fits me.

Not an extreme light weight, but at 7lbs 2oz it works for me and is a joy to carry...( I have since changed to Leupold ringmounts)

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I've got about 50 rds. through my Forbes so far and it seems like it will be a good rifle for its intended purpose.
Not a benchrest tackdriver by any stretch nor was it meant to be, accuracy is about par with any other 30-06 I've played with and I'm happy with that.
I went for a hike in the knee deep snow last Saturday morning near the cabin and it was nice to pack a light rifle when one is bundled up in heavy clothes with a daypack and stuff.
My Forbes is about the same weight as dressed as my 700 Ti in 270 - 08 that Bill Leeper did up for me...
 
crazy_davey said:
Thats awesome! You couldnt get a Kimber to shoot but you are bragging up a Forbes which you haven't shot yet. You cant miss, right. LOL!



I have first hand experience with four kimber Montana's and all of them have been MOA shooters, actually all under MOA. Maybe you need to learn how to shoot. Oops, I forgot who I am talking to.... Hahahaaaa.... :p
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Now that 84 is all scratched up as it serve as a pick up truck rifle, i gave it to one of my inlaw, could not sell that rifle to nobody, knowing that it was not an accurate rifle, i compare them to a GM car once you had a bad one, you want no part of them anymore... Happy for the lucky guys who got a good one.. and Mister Davey, if the Forbes is a bad rifle to, i wont be shy of telling it, i am not paid by anybody, i pay to make my own idea... JP.
 


The rifles above are just some of the lightweight bolt actions I've owned at one time or another, none over 7lbs scoped, a few under 6lbs.
Only ones I have left are the 84M Classic and the .284 NULA.
Without knowing the O.P.'s financial situation, I would recommend buying someones custom build off the EE. There are lots of great deals that come down the pipe,save yourself the coin,gunsmithing costs are huge.
If I could do it all over again I would have just stuck with a nice shooting little 84M Montana in .260 or 7-08.
I sure wish IRUNGUNS.ca was around some years back, I would have bought stateside and saved thousands.
My 3500$ dollar Corlanes custom that was supposed to be the holy grail didn't last a hunting season till it went down the road...at a massive loss.
My .284 NULA may or may not stay...the jury is still out.
Good luck to the OP...it's a slippery slope!
 
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blargon said:
If you want a .260, bottom metal or DM, forget kimber and forbes, neither are available. Also if you go custom, you can choose the profile, colour, and finish of McMillan that suits you, not a one-size-fits-all stock.
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I prefer both the 84M Montana stock (not 8400) and the NULA Model 20 stock to the Mcmillan edges I've had. Never felt they were worth the 700$ price tag, and often times a "one-size-fits-all" factory stock can be the one that fits a fella just great,never know till you try.
 
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I've been looking at a similar lightweight rifle. I could rebarrel/re stock my Howa 1500 but I think for the money a Kimber Montana in 30-06 or 280 is a better buy.
 
caramel said:
Now that 84 is all scratched up as it serve as a pick up truck rifle, i gave it to one of my inlaw, could not sell that rifle to nobody, knowing that it was not an accurate rifle, i compare them to a GM car once you had a bad one, you want no part of them anymore... Happy for the lucky guys who got a good one.
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GTFO talking like anyone who owns a decent shooting Kimber are "lucky guys".
As crazy_davey said you haven't even fired that Forbes yet. Myself and others on this forum have forgotten more about Kimbers and lightweight rifles in general than you may ever know.
Brand loyalty is one thing, ignorance is something altogether different.
 
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