338LM Build Suggestions and Ideas

[Doka]

I have been thinking of building a new rifle for a while now and decided that its going to be in 338LM and wanted to get your suggestions and input. Most of my other 'custom' rifles have been built of rem700 actions so this is the first time I am looking at something different

I am not trying to squeeze every ounce of performance out of the cartridge (800-100yrd performance will be good for me) as it will be used for hunting as well as a bit of target. I was originally looking at building the rifle off the Remington MLR (which the stock is inlet for) but in reality there is not too much cost wise between a custom action/barrel and buying an MLR doner.

I have picked 338LM as the calibre mainly because I have shot quite a few of them and like it as a calibre and I also have quite a bit of brass as well as Lapua Naturalis and Black Hills Factory Ammo for one. I also have had a Manners T4 LA and a Badger M5 sitting around waiting for a use for quite a while now.

My idea is to build the rifle as follows :

Manners T4
Badger M5
Badger EFR (if I can get one)
USO 3.5-17
Madco 1:10 20" barrel
Custom Brake (similar to the Barrett M98b)
Stiller TAC338 or Pierce Repeater action
Timney trigger

What action would be the preference out of the two? I was looking at the new pierce titanium actions but don't know if they make one for the 338LM or even if I can get one yet. If I can get one, that would be my preference at this stage.

I am assuming that I can get the Manners stock re-inlet or modified to fit the Stiller or Pierce action? I am considering getting the mini-chassis for it, but lead times on that (being in Australia) are up to 6 months as we have to buy from the local distributor.

I have shot a few 20" 338LM, one a custom tube gun and the other a 98B Carbine and while I understand that the 338 works better with a longer barrel the loss in velocity going to a 20" (around 200fps?) will not really be an issue for the intended use, but it may mean a bit more time spent working loads up. But at 20" the do handle better and that is the reason I picked that barrel length. I would consider going longer to 22" if there was a considerable advantage.

Looking at Quickload I should be able to get 98.2% powder burn in a 20" barrel with locally available powders and the 230gn Naturalis projectiles .. so it seems it should be ok. But I have to spend some more time looking at load outs to get a better idea of what I should run as the naturalis at 230gn is a little bit light and I would prefer a heavier projectile..

I am open to suggestions on what is the best route to go, bearing in mind I am in Australia so some parts are hard to get down here.