Hey all, Mac here...Long time lurker, first time poster...
This is my Ruger .338, all the important parts are still stock.
Vortex Viper 5-25 (pulled off my 6.5, on my future list for this machine is a NF ATACR 7-35),
secured w/ an ARC M-Brace uni-mount (came with a side-mounted level, but my eye couldn't focus that close so I pulled it),
high rise butt plate (2" taller, better for prone position),
Adjustable bag rider (absolutely necessary IMHO),
Bipod EXT (again, absolutely necessary for my purposes. Pulled it off my 6.5, so it's a bit undersized for the .338...one of these days, I'll drop a grand and get the magnum version. For now, I keep it minimally extended to prevent flex during firing),
Ceramic ball level on my scope (and another level on the Bipod EXT - I use them both to confirm each other),
No name bipod that I snagged off a prize table for getting some hits at an ELR event (was looking for something to get my front end lower than my Accu-Tac and this things gets down to about 5" above the skis), [The Accu-Tac failed on me when the legs were extended out in front in the 45 deg position, I wanted something rock solid with the load carrying straight down]
AND most importantly for my 2000+ yd shots, a TacomHQ Bravo Tarac, which gives me an additional 30.2 MIL (the Viper maxes out at ~2100 yd...and at those distances, it's too hard for me to see the splash when I'm holding 5-10 MIL high).
I don't have any problem using the stock buttstock (other than the parts I replaced). Once I got the proper LOP and cheek rise, I zip-tied an Allen cheekpad around it (after cutting off the stupid zipper bag) and haven't adjusted it since.
My bolt had that zipper sound as well, didn't impact performance at all. After 650 rounds (and dry fires), it lapped itself and runs smooth and clean.
I'm working to get as good as I can with the machines I've got. Unless I'm dealing with 15-20 mph winds, I can regularly get impacts out to a mile. Beyond that is where my learning curve gets steep - I can get hits out to 2500, just with MUCH less regularity.
-Mac