New Build advice

CANESFAN · Sep 27, 2024

Kicking around the idea of doing a build in 7-08 for the wife. Mainly hunting whitetail, hogs, yotes, etc... but she is also showing an interest in shooting these days and going with me sitting behind my 6.5CM. Most of the time shooting steel and paper out to about 600 or so. I am thinking a Defiance Ruckus in Medium length action and pairing it with a Proof Carbon 22" 1:8.4 twist and slapping it into a lightweight adjustable carbon stock.

I was hoping to get some feedback from you guys on my choices. Also don't quite know what final coating to go on this rig when done or to just get the action in black nitride when I order it and leave the proof as is. Still in the planning phases of this for now but I don't want it to be too damn heavy for her to carry in the deer woods.

Thanks in advance.

Supersubes · Sep 27, 2024

No need to do the ruckus, just do a classic, which is much lighter and cheaper. Yes to nitride. As for chassis, Id pick a folding MDT HNT 26. Graphite black cerakote on the metal portions of the Proof will match the nitrided action very close.

CANESFAN · Sep 27, 2024

Roger that. I was looking at the Ruckus due to the integral recoil lug and scope rail options more than anything. And was looking at the Medium Action option for Longer mag/bullet lengths. All of my R700 and clones that I own now are all BDL floorplates and internal magazine length has VLD seating depths limited.

So, Classic Short Action with Wyatt's or AI Cut? @Supersubes

And thank you for your input.

CANESFAN · Sep 27, 2024

Just checked out the MDT HNT26. She likes more of a classic style stock and not the pistol grip AR or Chassis style. She loves my A5 and my other HS stocks.

Midpack · Sep 27, 2024

With the costs of defiance actions these days id personally go with one of the many other 700 footprint actions that offer the same or better features for equal or less cost with a wider prefit availability.
Stocks look at the manners lht or mdt has been teasing a new carbon stick and also offers their hunter stock thar has so far been well recieved

Aftermath · Sep 27, 2024

Why not a 6.5 CM for her, too? Probably can even use the same ammo.

Supersubes · Sep 27, 2024

CANESFAN said:
Roger that. I was looking at the Ruckus due to the integral recoil lug and scope rail options more than anything. And was looking at the Medium Action option for Longer mag/bullet lengths. All of my R700 and clones that I own now are all BDL floorplates and internal magazine length has VLD seating depths limited.

So, Classic Short Action with Wyatt's or AI Cut? @Supersubes

And thank you for your input.

Defiance medium used to be the same as everyone else's short action, i dont know if the new owners changed that. Wyatt’s cut for sure. Should get you 2.9xx” oal.

Cody S · Sep 27, 2024

I'd recommend the American rifle company CDG.
also I'm a fan of the creedmoor.
eta idk how I forgot the zermatt origin.

diggler1833 · Sep 27, 2024

The 7-08 is a pretty awesome cartridge. That being said, 6.5 or even 6 Creedmoor (.260 or .243 too) would probably be my choice for a rifle solely intended for my wife and daughters. Why? Just a tad less recoil.

Whatever stock you go with, I strongly recommend that it be adjustable for LOP and cheek height. Transitioning from a t-shirt summer hog hunting to a harsh winter heavy coat whitetail hunt can really present some fitment issues of the stock to the shooter.

I'm still a fan of the Origin (CRF and mechanical ejector) for hunting purposes. Just about everyone makes prefits for it too. Plenty of other solid recommendations already though.

CANESFAN · Sep 27, 2024

The wife's hunting rig now is my old laminate stock R700 30-06!!! I have several others for her to use, I don't know why, but she loves that rifle. Mind you, she does not shoot it but a couple times a year at furry things tho.... Lol

CANESFAN · Sep 27, 2024

Aftermath said:
Why not a 6.5 CM for her, too? Probably can even use the same ammo.

6.5 CM is an option but was thinking about doing a caliber that I do not currently have. Recoil is not really a problem for her as stated above, she shoots my 30-06 while deer hunting now and recoil isn't an issue since it is only fired a couple times a year/season. I have 2-6.5Cm at the moment both are stock R700. One is a Gen2 5R and the other is SPS Varmint with HS stock. I will be running a can on whatever I build her tho just to help make it more pleasurable to shoot and manage recoil.

CANESFAN · Sep 27, 2024

Midpack said:
With the costs of defiance actions these days id personally go with one of the many other 700 footprint actions that offer the same or better features for equal or less cost with a wider prefit availability.

Examples of the R700 footprints you are referring to? As stated, I am only in the brainstorming and planning phase of this build at the moment but I do have the Defiance Action in the Cart at the moment.

Cody S · Sep 27, 2024

like the action I just mentioned, the American Rifle Company Coup de Grace.
much better action for the same price.

Midpack · Sep 27, 2024

CANESFAN said:
Examples of the R700 footprints you are referring to? As stated, I am only in the brainstorming and planning phase of this build at the moment but I do have the Defiance Action in the Cart at the moment.

Bighorn tl3, impact, kelby Nanook (also other kelby actions) lone peak fusion, American rifle company CDG, bat igniter. There a others but this is a start

CANESFAN · Sep 27, 2024

Thanks for the info gents. I will do a little homework and check back in shortly. Maybe with a few more questions....

LR1845 · Sep 27, 2024

Big horn origin, proof carbon prefit in 6.5CM and let her pick her stock.

Cody S · Sep 27, 2024

as far as stocks I'd recommend a manners tcs.
for barrel blanks I can't recommend mullerworks highly enough. they're fast and good.

Wannashootit · Sep 28, 2024

CANESFAN said:
Mainly hunting whitetail, hogs, yotes, etc...

Caliber decision should be based on this ^^^
Whitetails only, Creedmoor is fine. Hogs, larger game- I'd give the 7-08 the nod for the heavier bullets it can push.

I still shoot my 7-08 out to 1k for target (don't hunt) and it's a great performer- but I'll readily admit I'm a 7mm fanboy (just got the barrel for a 7-6.5 PRC).

PSS 308 · Sep 28, 2024

This is my new build just got it done today
Kroger stainless steel barrel
Mac brothers action
AI chassis
Timmy trigger
Night force 5 x 25 x 56 F1

Cody S · Sep 28, 2024

PSS 308 said:
Kroger stainless steel barrel

they keep those next to the milk?

PSS 308 · Sep 28, 2024

This is my new build just got it done today
Kroger stainless steel barrel
Mac brothers action
AI chassis
Timmy trigger
Night force 5 x 25 x 56 F1
View attachment 8512809 View attachment 8512810

diggler1833 · Sep 28, 2024

Maybe try the precision rifle picture thread instead of doubling down on someone else's post?

But I heard those Kroger barrels and Timmy triggers are the shiz-nizzle.

owtlaw · Sep 28, 2024

Origin Action would be my choice. Way more bang for the buck.

FuhQ · Sep 29, 2024

People love to hate and spread internet bullshit rumors, but give a try to the Aero Solus... It's built VERY similar to an Impact 737r for about 1/2 the price when they go on sale (usually all the big holidays). I have 2 and 2 more on order. My current ones wear a Proof CF custom prefit in .25 Creedmoor, and the other wears a custom CarbonSix prefit chambered in 7 SAW.

Solus/Proof .25 Creed is putting in some good work... I'm pleased with the results given that I'm getting around 2,800 FPS MV from a 20" barrel with the Berger 133 Elite Hunters.

image_cropper_82957909-02CC-4CB4-A8F4-86DB98C26A8F-485-000002A84CC08B50.jpeg

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CANESFAN · Sep 29, 2024

I appreciate all the comments and helpful information from you guys. I do like the options out there with integral recoil lug and base. However I am not certain that I would need that. Pinned would more than likely work just fine. None of my current rifles have either and work just fine for what we do with them. So at this point I am really leaning toward the Origin (price and availability) or the Defiance Classic. I am however going to stick with the 7-08 in this build. It will be mainly for her hunting rig. If she wants to do some extended range shooting and this does not suit her fancy, she always has access to one of my 6.5's.

Neither of us are very fond of the chassis style stocks out there. I do really like the Manners MCS-LRH for the stock choices. My others have a Mathews Fab Cheek riser and they work well but an integral cheek riser is a must have for whatever stock she chooses.

CANESFAN · Sep 29, 2024

To all of you that mentioned the Origin, how smooth is the action on these? How much slop if any are in the bolt? Nitride finish on the pictures online look to be a little rough, any comments on that? Thanks again guys..

CANESFAN · Sep 29, 2024

Well this answered quite a few questions about the Medium action choice....... Looks like I may have to stick with a short action and a Wyatt's.

From Northland shooters supply website.

clefairy · Sep 29, 2024

Terminus zues. Change out barrels easily without barrel vice.

Cody S · Sep 29, 2024

as someone who has owned AI's and DT's and stuff with quick change barrel systems, don't fall for that expensive shit. it's the difference between a 4k rifle and a 14k rifle, and you'll never *actually* need it. Just buy a barrel vice and action wrench.
but if you're in that tax bracket just get the AI, they're sweet.
ability to accept prefits in 2024 is a must.

FuhQ · Sep 29, 2024

CANESFAN said:
I appreciate all the comments and helpful information from you guys. I do like the options out there with integral recoil lug and base. However I am not certain that I would need that. Pinned would more than likely work just fine. None of my current rifles have either and work just fine for what we do with them. So at this point I am really leaning toward the Origin (price and availability) or the Defiance Classic. I am however going to stick with the 7-08 in this build. It will be mainly for her hunting rig. If she wants to do some extended range shooting and this does not suit her fancy, she always has access to one of my 6.5's.

Neither of us are very fond of the chassis style stocks out there. I do really like the Manners MCS-LRH for the stock choices. My others have a Mathews Fab Cheek riser and they work well but an integral cheek riser is a must have for whatever stock she chooses.

Forgot to mention, the Aero Solus uses Origin prefit barrels.

Csafisher · Sep 29, 2024

Terminus zues or Apollo. If not an origin would be my pick. Check out a pure precision altitude stock.

CANESFAN · Sep 29, 2024

Cody S said:
as someone who has owned AI's and DT's and stuff with quick change barrel systems, don't fall for that expensive shit. it's the difference between a 4k rifle and a 14k rifle, and you'll never *actually* need it. Just buy a barrel vice and action wrench.
but if you're in that tax bracket just get the AI, they're sweet.
prefits in 2024 is a must.

I am definitely NOT in that tax bracket!! lol Prefit barrels are something that I had not actually thought about. TBH I can't see this rifle barrel getting changed for years to come but when and if that time comes I would like to save a little coin by doing it myself. Thanks for the tip.

CANESFAN · Sep 29, 2024

60 degree bolt throw like the Solus and Apollo would be a pretty nice option.

Cody S · Sep 29, 2024

as far as the Solus, the only thing I personally don't like about it is conceptual, the dual ejector plungers. but I've only heard good things about the soulless. The action doesn't really do all that much so you'll probably be just as happy with a soulless if it's priced right.
I'm the opposite as most, I prefer longer throws like 70 to 90 degrees. the lift feels lighter when there is more movement. the cdg has quick change firing pin springs so you can tune the bolt lift to be lighter like I did if that's your thing.

FuhQ · Sep 29, 2024

Cody S said:
The action doesn't really do all that much so you'll probably be just as happy with a soulless if it's priced right.

This right here is what most people forget. The action is nothing more than a feeding system. Yes, as far as how square and true the action face, bolt lugs, and mating surfaces are is very important for straightness, consistency, smoothness, and function/feeding, but as far as repetitive precision of your actual impacts on target...The barrel, chamber job, and your reloading skills have WAY more to do with the outcome, than what action it's screwed into. Look at how many factory 700's and shitty Savages will shoot lights-out with handloads, and having never been touched by a gunsmith. Maybe just a simple trigger swap, and retorquing the action screws, and they'll stack 'em in there all day long. I have several factory 700's that will do that.

That's why I don't mind saving money by getting the Solus actions. For $600-700 on sale, they are really hard to beat. They also smooth-out significantly with use, and both of mine after about 500-1000 cycles are slicker than goose shit. The bolt lift on them is also relatively light for a 60º, too (it also seems to smooth/lighten up with use). I spent WAY too many years shooting 700's and slamming and dragging knuckles on scope rings and scope parts when running the bolt fast with that stupid 2-lug 90º throw. Once you go 60-70, you never want to go back. Also, 3-lug designs handle pressures more evenly and are stronger than 2-lug designs.

Cody S · Sep 29, 2024

I have yet to buy an action that doesn't feel really smooth after a few thousand rounds.
I literally bought a savage this year and it feels nice already. I just cleaned it, oiled it well with some Diddy level lubes and went to town.

FuhQ · Sep 29, 2024

Cody S said:
I have yet to buy an action that doesn't feel really smooth after a few thousand rounds.
I literally bought a savage this year and it feels nice already. I just cleaned it, oiled it well with some Diddy level lubes and went to town.

owtlaw · Sep 29, 2024

CANESFAN said:
To all of you that mentioned the Origin, how smooth is the action on these? How much slop if any are in the bolt? Nitride finish on the pictures online look to be a little rough, any comments on that? Thanks again guys..

All of mine run like they are running on ball bearings. They are extremely smooth. The bolts do not seem overly sloppy.

Cody S · Sep 29, 2024

I don't own an origin so I don't know how the finish wears, but they feel great, quite top notch. nitride may lose its color but the effect still stays, its still good metal. it penetrates several microns deep to infuse nitrogen with the metal making a new substance. the blackness is a byproduct.

CANESFAN · Sep 29, 2024

Lots of great information here from you guys. I really appreciate you all taking the time to reply. When I decide to pull the trigger, here soon, I will start a thread of the build. My wife would be happy with an off the shelf rig but I just can't do that.... I have several R700s that are for the most part still factory as far as barreled action goes and they shoot quite well with my hand loads. With a quality barrel and action I feel confident that I can get it to shoot really well also. I need a second job!!!!!!

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