After a failed attempt to get into long range with a semi-auto platform, I am realizing that a bolt gun was definitely what I was looking for. I fear bought the semi, and tried to make it work, but it is currently in the process of being sold. Fine gun, just should have done more research when buying my first precision rifle. So this is where it leaves me. I am looking to begin the journey all over with a bolt gun. And before everyone pipes up, I am not wanting an RPR. Great gun, have shot one in both .308 and 6.5CM, but for some reason I just find myself drawn to a more traditional bolt gun. So my question is where do I begin? I am used to AR's where I can piece together what I want in my shop, but bolt guns aren't so easy. I know a Remington 700 is standard, but which one should I get to begin with? What about a tikka? Never been around one, but people on here seem to like them. I have a Vortex PST6-24 FFP that will go on top, so I am looking solely at the gun right now. Just really need to know my options, and am looking for a little guidance. Thanks!
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Bolt Action Rifle, Where to Begin?
- Thread starter AHart76
- Start date
Bolts are progressively becoming more build yourself friendly. You have savages that have always used what amounts to a lock nut to hold the barrel in the correct location for proper headspacing as opposed to cutting the shoulder so that the abrrel spins in perfectly. And now remingtons are having that option as well with the remage systems. Tikkas are going that route as well. The bugnut is a another variant of that same idea.
Then you can throw that in a stock and youre basically ready to go. If youre wanting to build I would buy whatever you can find cheapest and go from there. If youre just wanting to buy a facotry rifle honestly any of those mentioned will serve just fine.
What are your intentions for this rifle? Steel? Paper? Animals?
Whats the budget?
Then you can throw that in a stock and youre basically ready to go. If youre wanting to build I would buy whatever you can find cheapest and go from there. If youre just wanting to buy a facotry rifle honestly any of those mentioned will serve just fine.
What are your intentions for this rifle? Steel? Paper? Animals?
Whats the budget?
Budget is not real set in stone. Not looking to go hog wild on this, but I am willing to spend on quality parts, just don't want to over buy either. Steel is my main goal. Would like it set up as a PRS style rifle as I do have a few matches close I would like to attend. I have read the bugnut thread, would I need a trued action for something like that, or would I be able to use it off of a factory action? What are some factory options I could buy from my gun shop and then just go from there. I have a buddy who recommends a R700 SPS Varmint, any other suggestions? What about different models of tikkas?
What about the Remington 5R milspec? Already comes with a good barrel and decent HS precision stock that won't need replacing for now. You can replace and upgrade parts later on to fit your needs. Even get some of your money back if you sell the stock.
It varies based on just how much truing was done. The bugnut comes set up for normal factory thread pitches (1 1/16x16tpi) so if whoever trued your action changed that thread pitch then it wouldnt work. Personally right now I am waiting on a PTG rem 700 action that they trued the action face, and lug abutments so their trued bolts would mate nicely with. However they retained the factory 1 1/16x16 thread pitch so it would be a prime candidate for the bugnut being that it is trued yet still factory specs where that would matter for the bugnut. Im going remage through northland shooter supply personally though. Bugholes might be able to do a custom bugnut though if you send any action so that he can measure and properly cut it (I think, but call and verify before spending any money based on what I say). Lots of custom actions should be trued and have the factory threads done as well so theres that if youre up for paying more for the refined product.
I think the 700 sps varmint is a perfect starting point. A heavier barrel that wont shift as much under heat. A different stock and a trigger and youll have a good shooting rifle for minimal investment. The barrel isnt threaded so thats something to consider if you were wanting a brake or can to attach.
The Tikkas are nice and supposedly come true enough so that truing them isnt worth it. The CTR is a varmint sized barrel and comes threaded which is nice. I think they have a new 24" model rather than the standard 20" that it came in for so long which would net more velocity. The sporter model of tikka is really nice as well but I think it comes in metric threads or something not so common for brakes though not impossible to find. I also think that patriot valley is doing a tikage (savage nut set up for tikkas like the remage) so you could get whatever thinbarrel you can find cheapest and thread your own on. The tikka will also have a finer trigger and the most popular upgrade is a $10 yodave trigger spring kit.
I assume youre shooting factory ammo so youll likely be going the 308 or 6.5 route. If you reload you open that up to infinite possibilities but for factory match ammo the 6.5 is really shining with the hornady and prime offerings. It can be found cheaper than 308 match ammo from my very limited browsing.
There are also all of the new offerings from Rem, Tikka, Savage, Weatherby, howa, bergara etc that are coming "PRS Ready" but they are chasing the RPR chassis flavor mostly.
Its a great time to be a shooter.
I think the 700 sps varmint is a perfect starting point. A heavier barrel that wont shift as much under heat. A different stock and a trigger and youll have a good shooting rifle for minimal investment. The barrel isnt threaded so thats something to consider if you were wanting a brake or can to attach.
The Tikkas are nice and supposedly come true enough so that truing them isnt worth it. The CTR is a varmint sized barrel and comes threaded which is nice. I think they have a new 24" model rather than the standard 20" that it came in for so long which would net more velocity. The sporter model of tikka is really nice as well but I think it comes in metric threads or something not so common for brakes though not impossible to find. I also think that patriot valley is doing a tikage (savage nut set up for tikkas like the remage) so you could get whatever thinbarrel you can find cheapest and thread your own on. The tikka will also have a finer trigger and the most popular upgrade is a $10 yodave trigger spring kit.
I assume youre shooting factory ammo so youll likely be going the 308 or 6.5 route. If you reload you open that up to infinite possibilities but for factory match ammo the 6.5 is really shining with the hornady and prime offerings. It can be found cheaper than 308 match ammo from my very limited browsing.
There are also all of the new offerings from Rem, Tikka, Savage, Weatherby, howa, bergara etc that are coming "PRS Ready" but they are chasing the RPR chassis flavor mostly.
Its a great time to be a shooter.
My only issue is the 1/11.25 twist, that's better than the 1/12 of the varmint, but does Remington have any factory .308 with 1/10 twist? Or maybe a 243 with the proper twist rate? Not sure what that would be.
The 11.25 should work for most bullets, especially those that one would be using in PRS style shooting as opposed to extreme long range stuff. In a 308 I would probably go with 175s, especially without a brake. I think the only rem factory options with a 1/10 twist are the 16" tactical model and 22" magpul 700 model which would be nice as its ready to go out the gate. Not the nicest stock but capable and better than many.
If you are wanting to do PRS you will want a drop box magazine (DBM) option to get 10 rounds in. So that will require a stock change from the normal SPS offering. My cousin got a sps varm for 350 on sale with a dicks rebate and threw it in a xlr element chassis and put in a timney and its a fine rifle for like 1100 total. Thats not a traditional style stock but it has the dbm included and its affordable (relatively speaking).
If you are wanting to do PRS you will want a drop box magazine (DBM) option to get 10 rounds in. So that will require a stock change from the normal SPS offering. My cousin got a sps varm for 350 on sale with a dicks rebate and threw it in a xlr element chassis and put in a timney and its a fine rifle for like 1100 total. Thats not a traditional style stock but it has the dbm included and its affordable (relatively speaking).
I did a budget Remage build. Bought a Rem700 SPS for $500, pulled the barrel, trigger, floorplate, and stock. Sold all that for $170. Bought a stainless Criterion Prefit in 6.5 Creedmoor, recoil lug, and barrel nut for $389 shipped. Purchased a PTG stealth M5 bottom metal from Midway on clearance for $130 I think. Grayboe Renegade stock $320 shipped. And finally a Tubb T7T trigger used for $300. Add that all up, and you have a pretty good rifle to start on.
Some additional money spent having the barrel installed, muzzle threaded, barrel cut to 23", and Cerakote the action, bolt, and barrel. I didn't install the barrel myself because I didn't have the headspace gauges or the action wrench.
I also had to convert my stock to a lefty, and notch the action for the pinned recoil, which is removable if you don't want to use it.
Some additional money spent having the barrel installed, muzzle threaded, barrel cut to 23", and Cerakote the action, bolt, and barrel. I didn't install the barrel myself because I didn't have the headspace gauges or the action wrench.
I also had to convert my stock to a lefty, and notch the action for the pinned recoil, which is removable if you don't want to use it.
This is what I would do if in your shoes. I would buy a Tikka T3x 6.5cm, or 308 if you prefer, with 24" barrel. I have a 20" 6.5 and it is the most accurate gun I've ever had (and I've had several customs and a Desert Tech). It is absolutely a laser. But............with the 20" barrel it's really lacking in velocity. It will get to 1000, but not as well as with a 24" barrel. The Tikka is a really good platform. The factory trigger is fantastic. The stock sucks, but that's easy to change if you want to down the road. Lots of chassis systems or stocks to fit the Tikka. It comes with a good DBM magazine system. Just put a scope on it and shoot. That will get you started. Change the stock down the road to whatever you like. Lots of upgrade potential for the Tikka as far as bolt knobs, scope bases, prefit barrels, etc. The Tikka will not limit what you can do in the future. The Tikka action is VERY nice compared to a stock Remington. Actually, there really is no comparison as far as I'm concerned. The Tikka action is super smooth and like I said, the factory trigger is better than any custom trigger I've used on a Remington.
The tikkas are very interesting to me. What kind of stock options do I have with a tikka? Also, if I went the SPS varmint route, what everyone's thought of the Magpul stocks as a quick and cheap way to veto the factory stock? Are they any good, or would I be better off with something else?
If you don't reload , go 308 or Creedmoor . If you want to spend more than a stock factory rifle, there's some good deals in the PX . You already have a scope you're going to use , don't be afraid to get a used , proven rifle to put it on .
I started with a used rifle, and to this day it's the 2nd most accurate rifle I've ever fired .
I started with a used rifle, and to this day it's the 2nd most accurate rifle I've ever fired .
As far as the tikka, I put mine in a McMillan A5. They had some in stock with CTR inlet. I used the factory CTR bottom metal and magazine. Manners makes stocks to fit, and most chassis systems can be had to fit the tikka.
Another vote for Tikka. I've gone down the Remington upgrade road and the custom build road can say that for an off the shelf rifle Tikka brings a LOT to the table. Great trigger, smooth action, typically MOA or better accuracy out of the box with factory ammo, detachable magazine, etc. Most of us tend to change out the stock, and some upgrades to the bolt are common. The good news on the bolt upgrades (bolt shroud, knob) is that you can do them yourself without needing a smith.
Below is a pretty crappy picI just snapped of my T3 varmint 24" in a folding XLR chassis. On top of loving the XLRs in their own right, that switch over also means you're using AICS mags, which saves some money compared to factory Tikka mags.
Below is a pretty crappy picI just snapped of my T3 varmint 24" in a folding XLR chassis. On top of loving the XLRs in their own right, that switch over also means you're using AICS mags, which saves some money compared to factory Tikka mags.
Attachments
Minor correction to what spife7980 was saying about the BugNut barrels from Southern Precision Rifles: they are currently offering it in both 16 and 20tpi. They just need to know the action and the thread pitch to spin one up.
However, I just can't recommend the way we used to do things as far as buying a Remington in 308 and then replacing everything.
However, I just can't recommend the way we used to do things as far as buying a Remington in 308 and then replacing everything.
Looks like I'd still be several weeks out on a bugnut still tho, really looking to get something fairly quick, as trigger time will do more for me at this stage then any equipment ever will. Who sells tikkas? Any vendors on this site? I like supporting them if possible.
Hello all.
I can start a new thread, but I think this pertains to the OP's question.
Most of the market seems to be moving to a barrel nut system such as Savage's. If this is the case, why isnt Savage recommended more here, rather than a custom system? From what I can tell so far, using a custom system means replacing with a barrel made by whomever produces the barrel nut you decide to go with. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I can start a new thread, but I think this pertains to the OP's question.
Most of the market seems to be moving to a barrel nut system such as Savage's. If this is the case, why isnt Savage recommended more here, rather than a custom system? From what I can tell so far, using a custom system means replacing with a barrel made by whomever produces the barrel nut you decide to go with. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The savage barrel and floating bolt head design is great and lets them provide an accurate shooting rifle at an affordable price. However the rest of it can be found to be lacking. Poor extraction due, primarily it seems, to the design of it. Switching things up periodically for great aftermarket support to develop to be slowed. They can shoot though.
I was not interested in a savage due to thinking that the savage barrel nut designs limited the barrel contour to being a thin contoured barrel only, is this true?
Where to start? Here: https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...ow-what-would-you-tell-yourself-as-a-beginner
Not trying to be snarky.. but I'd read that thread and then follow the advice you get here. I was worried about "over buying" for a long time.. but everything I bought always lacked something I didn't realize I wanted when I bought it. Do you need to spend 6k on a rifle and 4.5k on a scope? No.. but you should seriously ask yourself what you want to do with this rifle.. compete, bang steel, shoot groups on paper, hunt??
The advice given so far is excellent.. If you go factory - Tikka is where it's at for sure. Custom is getting easier and easier and I'll bet you can call up Chad at Long Rifles Inc (SH member and vendor/smith) and see if you can order a custom from him.. he's FAST. Only catch might be that if you want his fastest rifle possible you might be limited to parts he has on hand. He makes amazing rifles.
Not trying to be snarky.. but I'd read that thread and then follow the advice you get here. I was worried about "over buying" for a long time.. but everything I bought always lacked something I didn't realize I wanted when I bought it. Do you need to spend 6k on a rifle and 4.5k on a scope? No.. but you should seriously ask yourself what you want to do with this rifle.. compete, bang steel, shoot groups on paper, hunt??
The advice given so far is excellent.. If you go factory - Tikka is where it's at for sure. Custom is getting easier and easier and I'll bet you can call up Chad at Long Rifles Inc (SH member and vendor/smith) and see if you can order a custom from him.. he's FAST. Only catch might be that if you want his fastest rifle possible you might be limited to parts he has on hand. He makes amazing rifles.
If you dont mind expounding, is it the extractor itself or the design of the action?
I picked up a cheap 12fv recently because they were on sale at Cabelas, but I am not sure if I am going to keep it.
It is possible I am ignorant as to what is considered thin around here, but Northland Shooters Supply offers both Criteron and Shillen in Bull contours that are 1" or more at the muzzle.
http://northlandshooterssupply.com/match-grade-barrels-2/
I was asking because I have no clue, I was at one point led to believe that something about the savage barrel nut system limited barrel contour choices. This could be be dead wrong.
I guess we all have our own ideas of thin, but I'll go way out on a generalization limb and say that a Remington Sendero/Varmint contour or similar seems to be where we start at "light barrels" that are still "thick enough". I have so many truck axles as barrels that at this point a Sendero feels like a spotter contour or lighter, but it's really all relative. A "sporter" contour is generally considered to be too light for most precision purposes, but there will always be a guy who has one and is killing it with one.
If you find a factory Tikka configuration you like (barrel length, caliber, muzzle threads etc...) I vote for that route. There's really no other factory action I would recommend over a Tikka for a semi-custom. Reasons why are posted by the others above^ good trigger, smooth bolt, side bolt release, pretty much pre-trued etc...
But taking the stock barrels off of Tikkas and Remingtons is a pain. At least it was for me... So if you want a different configuration than what's available from the Tikka factory, then a custom would be nice, since you don't spend any money paying for something you plan to replace (namely the barrel), and you can just install the new one relatively simply.
Patriot Valley Arms makes pre-fit (barrel nut style) barrels for the Tikka. If you go the custom action route, Northland Shooter Supply (NSS) stocks pre-fit barrels that fit Remington style and Savage style actions, which also covers pretty much all of the custom action out there, since those usually take either a Remington or Savage barrel thread.
As for the contour question, barrel nuts can support pretty thick barrels, stock inlet/chassis is more of the issue when it comes to big barrels/nuts, but even then, they're pretty forgiving. If you plan to run the standard medium palma/varmint/sendero style barrel, you should be fine.
After you've decided on an action, then it's time for the stock/chassis, which is a fun choice to make.
But taking the stock barrels off of Tikkas and Remingtons is a pain. At least it was for me... So if you want a different configuration than what's available from the Tikka factory, then a custom would be nice, since you don't spend any money paying for something you plan to replace (namely the barrel), and you can just install the new one relatively simply.
Patriot Valley Arms makes pre-fit (barrel nut style) barrels for the Tikka. If you go the custom action route, Northland Shooter Supply (NSS) stocks pre-fit barrels that fit Remington style and Savage style actions, which also covers pretty much all of the custom action out there, since those usually take either a Remington or Savage barrel thread.
As for the contour question, barrel nuts can support pretty thick barrels, stock inlet/chassis is more of the issue when it comes to big barrels/nuts, but even then, they're pretty forgiving. If you plan to run the standard medium palma/varmint/sendero style barrel, you should be fine.
After you've decided on an action, then it's time for the stock/chassis, which is a fun choice to make.
Im not 100% possible as the only savage I have is my grandmothers 300 sav that forever old and it's been great for the two shots a year it sees. So it's just anecdotal coming from me.
I want to say it's got a ball bearing that it cams against and it's too small to provide enough leverage or something like that. Shouldn't be too hard to find in a search but I'll look when I get on a pc
Edit: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/help-extractor-trouble-on-savage-pta.3801879/
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Yeah, you can loose a little at the chamber with the small shank set up because the nut needs to be able to thread up over it a tad but it isn't a whole lot. But a regular Remington barrel isn't done to that dimension so that's one thing the bugnut offers, you can choose from any Remington contour in addition to savage.
My ultimate goal is to end up with a gun chambered in 6mm, most likely 6mm Creedmoor. I know there is a gun smith only 50 miles or so away from me that does a lot of Remington 700's. On their Facebook they do show doing a tikka, but seems like that is not their forte. That is one reason I'm kinda leaning R700, i will have a close by smith that I can take my gun to that requires no shipping.
If that came off as smart-assed, it wasnt meant to be. I was actually asking, as I am new here. Thanks for the response, I appreciate it.
I've owned and shot a number of Savage rifles over the past (nearly) 20 years. I've also heard/read a lot of nay saying about the supposed drawbacks of the barrel nut system. I have never, (repeat, never) had a Savage rifle that wouldn't respond very favorably to good load development (and that includes my 7.62x39 Scout). While the nay sayers drone on about this or that supposed accuracy discrepancy, they never cite sources or show evidence to support the claims.
Then, there's the advantages of the barrel nut system. Ever replace a barrel? I have, several in fact. I need a vise, a pair barrel blocks, a barrel nut wrench, and something to insert into tHe loading port to stabilize/turn the receiver.
Every barrel, nutted or not, narrows down at the receiver thread, most of them to just about the same diameter. The barrel nut adds the advantage of allowing headspacing adjustments without the need to put the rifle into a gunsmith's work queue.
Take it or leave it, your choice. I'm sticking with Savage.
In that spirit, I'm also suggesting the Dick's exclusive offering, a Savage 11VT, available in a number if chamberings. It has about everything one needs, including a boresighted scope. Not my preference for scopes, but scopes can be replaced, and the provided one will work just fine atop a hunting rifle. And yes, the included stock could seem less than tactical; but Midway has a reasonably priced alternative. I fired my 11VT 223 in the Berger SW LR Nationals (600yd MR matches) last month, and just bought the .308.
Greg
Then, there's the advantages of the barrel nut system. Ever replace a barrel? I have, several in fact. I need a vise, a pair barrel blocks, a barrel nut wrench, and something to insert into tHe loading port to stabilize/turn the receiver.
Every barrel, nutted or not, narrows down at the receiver thread, most of them to just about the same diameter. The barrel nut adds the advantage of allowing headspacing adjustments without the need to put the rifle into a gunsmith's work queue.
Take it or leave it, your choice. I'm sticking with Savage.
In that spirit, I'm also suggesting the Dick's exclusive offering, a Savage 11VT, available in a number if chamberings. It has about everything one needs, including a boresighted scope. Not my preference for scopes, but scopes can be replaced, and the provided one will work just fine atop a hunting rifle. And yes, the included stock could seem less than tactical; but Midway has a reasonably priced alternative. I fired my 11VT 223 in the Berger SW LR Nationals (600yd MR matches) last month, and just bought the .308.
Greg
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Same here, some will try and dispute the mechanics of the barrel nut, my targets prove otherwise. They use locking nuts on the fucking International Space Station.
Check out some of the used Sako Trg's in the PX section. Save yourself a lot of time and money. Buy something someone has already kitted out and not shot that much anyway. Shoot it until you know what you want/need/like. Sako is the big brother to the Tikka and they are both owned by Beretta. Do yourself a favor here. Then buy the new Pst Gen 2.
As stated above, I recommend looking at a used rifle. You can use up what is left and then start upgrading where the previous owner left off. You can find anything if you're patient. Used Remington 700s are a dime a dozen and condition isn't that important if you're upgrading everything anyway. However, I also suggest you consider a used high end production rifle as well. I started with a 700 SPS that I upgraded over the years but haven't taken it out of the safe since picking up a used AI AT. If I had started with the AT, I would have saved a lot of money.
http://www.eurooptic.com/Tikka-T3x-CTR-65-Creedmoor.aspx
Buy this, put your scope on it and go shoot. You'll never know what you really want until you start shooting and figure out what is most important to you...
Buy this, put your scope on it and go shoot. You'll never know what you really want until you start shooting and figure out what is most important to you...
Didn't come off as smart-assed at all, and is a legit question.
I was just reluctant to make that generalization in reply because there are so many barrel contours available and a lot of nuances where trade offs happen based on intended purpose and barrel length.
Really? I haven't seen people complain about the barrel nut. I'm no savage fan, but I think the barrel nut system is far superior to the traditional shouldered install. Most of the complaints I've seen about Savages have to do with extraction, feeding, and slop in the action. They are accurate though.
This.
I had posted this on Scout but maybe this would be a good time to bring it over here. You could do something similar on a Remington action an have a great shooting rifle that doesn't break the bank.
I've been interested a DIY "custom" rifle for a while now and not having a lathe limits my options to a pre-chambered an threaded barrel and a barrel nut. I've considered a Savage action, but from what I read, there is much work that needs to be done to them. That left the Bighorn and the Shilen actions. I happened to stop in to see the folks at Shilen a few months back and while there, made the mistake of fondling one of their DGR actions. I didn't have the heart to leave without it. The action with lug and double pinned 20 MOA rail was about $1k out the door.
The action is on a 700 footprint and will fit in any stock inletted for a 700.
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The action allows for a single or double pinned lug. It came with a PT&G lug that is drilled for dual pins, so there is no reason to not go that route.
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The bolt, made for Shilen by PT&G, has a floating bolt head like a Savage. Supposedly allows for full lug contact. From the wear pattern on mine, that appears to be the case.
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The firing pin and hole are small, as is the ejector hole, making it nice for cartridges that use a small rifle primer. There is no downside the a small firing pin and hole and all my rifles from here out will have that feature.
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Did a bit of reading and decided to go with a varmint weight Criterion Barrel in 6.5x47 Lapua from Northland Shooters' Supply . Also got a trued barrel nut and wrench from NSS. Very happy with the CBI barrel and will very likely use another when I get my next barrel. More on that later.
Picked up a used HS Precision stock with PT&G DBM bottom metal from the Campfire classifieds.
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To be continued...
John
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Like all HS stocks, it has the aluminum bedding block.
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But, this one was sent back to PT&G to be inletted for their DBM bottom metal.
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The inletting was perfect and the AICS mags feed perfectly. I wasn't sure I would like a DBM setup, but they simply cannot be beat for generous COAL constraints, great feeding and convenience.
Got PT&G go and no-go gages from Midway and commenced to assemble my rifle. I wish I had taken pictures of the assembly process, but suffice it to say it is a simple process. I put the barrel nut over the barrel then put the barrel in my barrel vice, put the lug on the action, held in place by the pins and partially screwed the action onto the barrel. I then put the go gage in the chamber and closed the bolt and screwed the action on until I felt light contact on the go gage. I then attached the nut wrench to my torque wrench and torqued the barrel to the specs suggested by NSS (the number escapes me right now). Checked the headspace. Bolt closed on the go gage with the slightest of resistance and would not close on the no-go gage. Good to go...
Bolted the barreled action into the stock. Thought about bedding it, but was curious to see how a true bolt-together rifle would shoot so elected not to. Initially mounted a 16x Super Sniper in SWFA rings, but have since changed out the scope to my 3-12 LRHS in the same SWFA rings.
For load development I did a combination of a ladder and OCW method, shooting three rounds of each powder charge at the same POA at 500 yards. Was shooting 130gr Hunting VLDs, gently kissing the lands pushed by Varget. I had two consecutive charges, 37.4 and 37.8gr (6 shots) group in about 2" at 500 yards so split the difference between the charges and loaded up 37.6gr.
Here is a group I shot yesterday at 500 yards. It is about 2". It is very repeatable and I have done it several times with this load at the same distance.
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Also worked up another load yesterday using the same method but different components, this time using H4350 behind 140gr ELDs. I shot three-shot groups of 4 different charges in .4gr increments. Eleven of the 12 shots went into less than 4" at 500 yards. Very wide node there. I'll likely pick the middle of the charges and drive on.
All things considered, I'm extremely satisfied with the project. This rifle is, so far, the best shooting rig I have ever had, and I've had a bunch, put together by some of the best in the business.
I encourage everyone to give this route a try. You might be pleasantly surprised at the results and save some $ to boot.
Latest upgrade to my DIY Long Range Rig. MPA BA Lite in black bronze.
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Shot this 4 shot group at 100 not too long ago. Still amazed that a complete bolt together DIY rig can shoot this well. I highly encourage those considering a custom rifle to consider a DIY.
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But, this one was sent back to PT&G to be inletted for their DBM bottom metal.
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The inletting was perfect and the AICS mags feed perfectly. I wasn't sure I would like a DBM setup, but they simply cannot be beat for generous COAL constraints, great feeding and convenience.
Got PT&G go and no-go gages from Midway and commenced to assemble my rifle. I wish I had taken pictures of the assembly process, but suffice it to say it is a simple process. I put the barrel nut over the barrel then put the barrel in my barrel vice, put the lug on the action, held in place by the pins and partially screwed the action onto the barrel. I then put the go gage in the chamber and closed the bolt and screwed the action on until I felt light contact on the go gage. I then attached the nut wrench to my torque wrench and torqued the barrel to the specs suggested by NSS (the number escapes me right now). Checked the headspace. Bolt closed on the go gage with the slightest of resistance and would not close on the no-go gage. Good to go...
Bolted the barreled action into the stock. Thought about bedding it, but was curious to see how a true bolt-together rifle would shoot so elected not to. Initially mounted a 16x Super Sniper in SWFA rings, but have since changed out the scope to my 3-12 LRHS in the same SWFA rings.
For load development I did a combination of a ladder and OCW method, shooting three rounds of each powder charge at the same POA at 500 yards. Was shooting 130gr Hunting VLDs, gently kissing the lands pushed by Varget. I had two consecutive charges, 37.4 and 37.8gr (6 shots) group in about 2" at 500 yards so split the difference between the charges and loaded up 37.6gr.
Here is a group I shot yesterday at 500 yards. It is about 2". It is very repeatable and I have done it several times with this load at the same distance.
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i111.photobucket.com\/albums\/n159\/Hondo64d\/Targets\/Shilen%20DGR%2065x47%2020%20Sep%2016_zps0f8inr2d.jpg"}[/IMG2]
Also worked up another load yesterday using the same method but different components, this time using H4350 behind 140gr ELDs. I shot three-shot groups of 4 different charges in .4gr increments. Eleven of the 12 shots went into less than 4" at 500 yards. Very wide node there. I'll likely pick the middle of the charges and drive on.
All things considered, I'm extremely satisfied with the project. This rifle is, so far, the best shooting rig I have ever had, and I've had a bunch, put together by some of the best in the business.
I encourage everyone to give this route a try. You might be pleasantly surprised at the results and save some $ to boot.
Latest upgrade to my DIY Long Range Rig. MPA BA Lite in black bronze.
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i111.photobucket.com\/albums\/n159\/Hondo64d\/IMG_0167_zpsl4tkcvvs.jpg"}[/IMG2]
Shot this 4 shot group at 100 not too long ago. Still amazed that a complete bolt together DIY rig can shoot this well. I highly encourage those considering a custom rifle to consider a DIY.
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i111.photobucket.com\/albums\/n159\/Hondo64d\/IMG_0223_zpstvocdkn2.jpg"}[/IMG2]
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Hondo, first off great write up, and I really do appreciate you taking the time to track that down and share it again. Something like that would be my ultimate goal. Unfortunately, I am looking for something a little quicker than what the lead times are on most of those products. Seems like everyone is either saying Tikka, or used. Being an American farmer, it's hard for me to buy a foreign made gun, but they do seem like terrific guns and I am definitely consider a CTR. Only thing is I'm leaning towards a .308 as no shops in my area carry 6.5 yet, and also Indiana has stupid hunting laws and .308 is a legal deer cartridge. But if a used 6.5 presented itself in the PX, I would still go for it. I am gonna keep a thumb on the PX until I get my sold, then make my final decision most likely.
I have 2 Shilen DGR actions. One has a 28in Pac Nor 3 groove on it. Timney Trigger. Mcree Chassis. Chambered for 260 ackley. Rifle does under .4in groups easily at 100 yards, and has shown great accuracy to 1100 yards.
The other DGR action has a 20in .308 Shilen barrel and is in a Magpul hunter stock. It was my deer rifle this year. Very little load development, but the groups were still about .5in at 100 yards. 3 shots, 3 dead deer this past season.
Very easy action to build on. I used PTG go gauges that midway had in stock. Savage nut wrench works for the barrel. I only had a savage action wrench which doesn't fit the Shilen action, so a friend barreled the .260 AI for me. For the .308, I bought PTG Mar-Free wrench that slides in the bolt raceway. That action wrench works great for the DGR, and works on other types of actions too.
If you are going to build, and want to do PRS type or even local matches get a 6.5mm round. I love my .308's, but the .308 just doesn't even come close to matching the wind drift of my .260.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
The other DGR action has a 20in .308 Shilen barrel and is in a Magpul hunter stock. It was my deer rifle this year. Very little load development, but the groups were still about .5in at 100 yards. 3 shots, 3 dead deer this past season.
Very easy action to build on. I used PTG go gauges that midway had in stock. Savage nut wrench works for the barrel. I only had a savage action wrench which doesn't fit the Shilen action, so a friend barreled the .260 AI for me. For the .308, I bought PTG Mar-Free wrench that slides in the bolt raceway. That action wrench works great for the DGR, and works on other types of actions too.
If you are going to build, and want to do PRS type or even local matches get a 6.5mm round. I love my .308's, but the .308 just doesn't even come close to matching the wind drift of my .260.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
There is a .260 in the PX that looks interesting, but I'm back to this not reloading yet thing, and .260 ammo isn't cheap. I know I would be better off with 6.5 caliber rifle than a .308 tho.
Buy the barrel of your choice and the action of your choice. Have the smith of your choice chamber it. Then just drop it into an MPA BA chassis with the trigger of your choice. Done. Total cost for this will vary depending on the specifics parts you choose. But probably somewhere around $2500 + labor. And you'll have a great rifle. Another option is to buy whatever factory blah blah blah people are telling you about. However, at the end of the day, do you want a cheap rifle that you'll eventually spend more money on, or do you just want to get something solid right off the bat? My personal philosophy is get the thing you're ultimately going to wind up with and skip the BS of buying cheap, then upgrading, then fiddling, then selling it, then buying the thing you should have went with in the first place.
You can get most barrels for $340 from Bugholes or Core Shooting. And plenty of actions available from both suppliers as well. Actually... I think sometimes Core has barreled/chambered Defiance Deviant actions ready to go. Looks like they're sold out right now though. But maybe give them a call. They might have more on the way.
You can get most barrels for $340 from Bugholes or Core Shooting. And plenty of actions available from both suppliers as well. Actually... I think sometimes Core has barreled/chambered Defiance Deviant actions ready to go. Looks like they're sold out right now though. But maybe give them a call. They might have more on the way.
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No, a 700 is not the most bang for the buck anymore unless you find one used that's already "done" in a way that you don't want to change shit.
The OP has said repeatedly that he wants something NOW, and is not willing to frankenrifle something together through a smith. That leaves his options at a used rifle to his liking, or a factory rifle with user upgradable options as he wants.
Bogeybrown is right, I'm looking to have a gun on order at least in 2 weeks tops, by on order I mean a gun that will be at my FFL within a week. As of right now it seems like my 2 best options are a used 700, or a tikka, and unless something comes across the PX that really catches my eye, it will probably be a tikka. I get the philosophy buy once cry once, and if I knew what I wanted, that would be the route I would go. However, I thought I knew what I wanted when I ordered my gas gun, and that turned out to be the exact opposite of everything I really needed. The tikka really seems to me to be the most bang for your buck when it comes to a true out of the box rifle. And It is still a great platform to build off of. Is EuroOptic the best place to order a tikka from? Are they a vendor of this site? If not, are any vendors a tikka dealer?
I know that contacting a smith and putting together exactly what I want would get me a more accurate rifle, but as I've said, I'm a beginner. I have shot less than 700 rounds at what I would call "long range." I firmly believe that at the stage I'm at in my journey, lots of practice and rounds down range will benefit me far more than having a rifle that will 10x exceed what my potential is now or will be for a while.
I came from the future to help you.
Just get a Barrett MRAD. You are so happy that you didn't end up buying like 5 different rifles and scopes because you shoot different calibers. You're also stoked that everytime you change a caliber, its the exact same system and scope that you now use so much you're a fucking ninja.
You're welcome.
Just get a Barrett MRAD. You are so happy that you didn't end up buying like 5 different rifles and scopes because you shoot different calibers. You're also stoked that everytime you change a caliber, its the exact same system and scope that you now use so much you're a fucking ninja.
You're welcome.
Well I'm so sorry sugar,
You just carry on and show us rookies how it's done. I guess I was too busy answering his questions and it sounds like offering him sound advice. Please feel free to "advise" him on the construction of one of your bedazzled critter glitters. OP, please take the time to feast your eyes on these beautiful rifles from Old
Reliable. I am humbled before his greatness:
https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...-action-killin-rigs-show-em/page4#post6315981
At the end of the day you guys are still missing the other 50% of the reason for why I say I don't want to spend big money on a custom gun. I'm new and have no clue what I want/need for my style of shooting. Hell, I don't even know what my style of shooting is! Boogeybrown seems to unsterstand this, and is giving me what seems to be reasonable advice. After this thread and then doing TONS of reading on other threads, I am pretty confident in going with a 24 inch 6.5 CTR. All I need to know is the best place to buy? Furthermore, Old Reliable, I don't know if building custom guns is your profession, or if you are just a weekend warrior, but either way, there are many ways to argue your opinions other than being an arrogant know it all jacka$$! Especially when representing some kind of business. I appreciate you taking time to try and help guide me in the direction you think will benefit me most. However, the way you have presented yourself, especially on the internet for all of this sport and industry to see, tells me exactly what kind of person you are, I refuse to do business with you.
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