A not quite tactical 308 build

[winmag]

Sadly, I’m not as young as I once was, or as fit. And I’m at the point in my life where the likelihood of dragging a rifle through slop and mud is infinitesimally small. So when it came time for my latest rifle I thought I’d do something a little different – I’d have something built with a primary focus on accuracy at the expense of durability.

10 years ago I had a proper tactical rifle built by hd rifles (remember them?), and it was this fantastic rifle that would really help me discern what I wanted in a long range gun. Ideally, I would be 14lb or under, relatively short for ease of handling, comfortable to shoot off hand or supported, and exceptionally accurate.

So I began by compiling a list of criteria the rifle would need to meet in terms of weight, overall length, balance, handling, and accuracy. And being the fanatical perfectionist I am, durability and absolute reliability under all conditions could take a back seat to tight tolerance and accuracy.

The criteria I arrived at was:

• 14lb or under w/ optics
• 42” Overall length
• Balance 1” in front of the front action screw
• Conventional stock (non-canoe paddle)
• Accuracy of 1/4" @ 100 yards w/ match ammo

At this point I started combing through the various rifle builder websites to see if anything ‘off the shelf’ would be what I was looking for. The closest was an offering by GA Precision, but in the end I chose to spec it out myself and have a well known benchrest smith build and balance it. I chose .308 because I'm extremely familiar with the cartridge, have brass/bullets/dies, and want to try my hand at F-T/R when I get a chance.

Specs:
Action: Remington 700 Short
Barrel: Spencer modified LV taper 22” (from lug)
Chamber: 308 Special Match
Trigger: Jewell @ 1lb
Stock: HS Precision (bedded to aprox 4" in front of recoil lug)
Bottom Metal: Williams
Scope: March 3x24 illum
Mounts: Badger

I've yet to see how it shoots, but should be sorting that out in the next couple of weeks. I haven't really done anything cosmetic with it, but I may end up cerakoting and having the bolt fluted... after I see how it shoots.

Pics:

 

[Honky]

That looks real nice as is, I think. I've always liked the look of raw stainless barrels with a black action.

 

[Shoalwater]

Nice rig, let us know how she shoots

 

[S12A]

very nice and practical rifle.
well done

 

[jwf100p]

Cool looking rig. Hope you get to see how it shoots soon.

 

[BIPMaster]

Agree with the above sentiments. Very nice rifle.

 

[p5200]

Very sharp looking rig and bet it's a shooter too!

 

[OFIS]

These are my favorite types of rifles, working my way back into one presently.

 

[DRAGON64]

Of the three angles you have shown, the bottom images is the best... except for the silver & orange color, this is what I would love to build... excellent work...

 

[D_Lamz]

that is nice!

 

[diderr]

how do you like your March?

 

[rcnpthfndr]

i like it! seems we had similar ideas.my barrel is a Shilen #7 Hvy and 24", i eventually put a Leup MK4 10x Ultra on it.

 

[winmag]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'm still on the fence with the stainless barrel, I like the look but I a satin black cerakote finish would look sharp as well.

I like the March, will have a better idea of how much I like it after I've had a chance to shoot it - it's a good bit shorter than what I've used in the past, and though it's lighter it feels denser - heavier for it's size. Turrets feel solid if even a little stiff.

Right now I'm really fighting the urge to put it in a Joel Russo blonde maple stock.

 

[TangoOscarMike]

I like it. Looks like a practical rifle.

 

[Kamkaze]

What did it end up weighing?

 

[smorgousford]

So what did your total weight end up being?

 

[Supergyro]

Beautiful rifle! when I saw your criteria I immediately thought, "he put a March on it". Scroll down and I was right.