First Long Range Rifle…Defiance Deviant…Any Tips Appreciated

[watchknut]

First post here! I’ve always wanted a long range bolt action rifle, and decided to sell an AR and pick one up.

My search took me to Gunbroker where I found an interesting rifle. After purchasing it, I started doing some digging on my gamble.

I called Defiance and they have gave me the name of the builder it was shipped to - Gene Gordner of Kalispell. He was the head gunsmith at Montana Custom Rifles and Kilimanjaro Rifles before retiring. I spoke with him, super nice guy, and said he built it back in 2014 and most likely used a Bartlein or Liljin barrel and said he most likely wouldn’t have fitted the stock.

This is what I figured out:

Defiance Deviant action
26” Bartlein or Liljin bull barrel 1-8 twist with American Precision Arms Little Bastard muzzle brake, 6.5 Creedmoor
Manners MCS-T6a
American Precision bottom metal
Triggertech Special trigger
Voted Viper PST Gen 2 with American Precision rings

It weighs an absolute ton, over 16lbs!

Anyway, before I go out and buy anything else, I wanted to get thoughts on the following:

Bipod - Atlas or other and which model
Ammo - what’s the best way to select ammo to shoot to see what it likes? I won’t be handloading…yet
Shooting bag - what are people’s go to

I’m looking forward to learning and always appreciate tips from those who’ve been shooting for years.

Thanks in advance

 

[sierracharlie338]

Bipod - Atlas or other and which model
Ammo - what’s the best way to select ammo to shoot to see what it likes? I won’t be handloading…yet
Shooting bag - what are people’s go to

Bipod - Atlas or Harris with tilting head are easy places to start.

Ammo - Hornady match 140gr is an easy place to start but yes buy as many different boxes/brands and see what the gun likes. Most will prob shoot MOA or better.

Rear bags - this is hugely a personal preference to most people. I’d start with a TAB Gear rear bag or something similar if I were you. Can be used in different positions and manners. You will probably buy several of these until you find one that just works for you.

 

[Maurygold]

Atlas cal for bipod.

Rear bag - tab, coletac, Armageddon are all good

 

[kthomas]

Atlas cal bipod is a good starting point.

For ammo I would try some 130 and 140 grain match ammo. Hornady, Berger, FGMM.

For rear bags, Underground Precision or Marc Taylors bags found here: https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...wer-compromise-grande-shipping-daily.7128412/