Gunsmithing GAP for a hunting rifle?

[Mike128]

First, is GAP accepting barreling jobs currently? I have a Surgeon round action coming and was thinking of having GAP put on a barrel. The kicker is that it would be more of a hunting rifle than a sniper rifle. Is it a little overkill? Not worth the cost? I like accurate rifles and have several factory rifles that will do under an inch consistantly but not under 1/2 inch consistantly. And that is what I want.

How's this sound? 7-08 with a fluted Rock #3 countour finished at 24 inches. Put in a Rimrock stock, ADL, with Timmeny hunting trigger. Talley one piece rings with a fixed 6x scope with #4 reticle. Spitting out 120 BT and TSX it should be good for any deer out there.

 

[jasonk]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Sounds like a great rifle, but shorten the barrel to 22" and you'll be happier.

I'm sure GAP would be happy to do it, just pm George and ask him.

 

[Mike128]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Why do you prefer a 22 over 24? I kind of like the extra speed.

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

If your worried about speed you got the wrong cartridge in mind...

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

yeah......like two inches make it a flame throwing laser......

 

[jasonk]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

I think the 24" just adds length and weight to the 7-08, it's not needed and a 22" barrel is handier to carry, put in the truck, etc etc. Guys are getting to 1,000 with 18" 308's so obviously it's not like the barrel is needed to burn all the powder.

I run 25" barrels on my two custom Weatherby's, they "need" it for speed. The 7mm-08 Rem 700 TI is 22" I believe and the model 7 is only 20". You're shooting a small and handy cartridge so I'd build it in a small and handy rifle.

Just my 2 cents, that's the beauty of a custom, build what you want.

 

[B.Bates]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

mike

what about running a mountain contour and dropping it in a take off or new b&c rem ti stock.

sounds like a great rifle, i would skip the flutes and go lighter contour, unless you really like the look

and ditto jason 22in is plenty

 

[Ratbert]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

You might want to take another look at the fluting idea too. That adds a pretty significant premium to the cost of your blank and you're not really going to be saving very much weight at all on a 22" (or even 24") sporter. Fluting is something that pays dividends on a 28" MTU contour, you end up removing so little material on short thin barrels that it isn't going to save you much weight.

Head over to Pac Nor's site and punch in the specs for what you want on their barrel calculator and decide for yourself. Your nickle, your decision. But you asked for opinions so you got mine.

 

[marku]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

How's this sound? 7-08 with a fluted Rock #3 countour finished at 24 inches.

Go with a 24" Broughton. Their .284 dia barrels blanks are amazingly accurate in that bore dia. Rock make a amazing but i would perfer them for the .308 or .338 diameter.

Go with a Broughton, or Bartlin in that bore dia.

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Go 3 groove!

 

[Mike128]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

I did debate on 22 or 24 inches. Still am, kind of. I would like to get 3000 fps, without pushing it, with 120 grain bullet. 22 inches seems to be right on the line, while 24 seems to get there easier. I know 75-100fps doesn't really make much of a difference in real world applications.

I prefer a thicker barrel over a mountain countour. I have a Weatherby ULW that has a very thin barrel that I love. But it is more sensative to minor variations. I figure flutes are a good compromise. And I think they look cool.

I was debating between a 22 inch #2 (.575 at the muzzle @ 24 inches. Not sure about what the 22 inche would look. I guess .600) countour or 24 inch #3 (.630 @ muzzle) countour with flutes. I'm not sure how a #3 would look in 22 inches. But the #2 would look fine at 22 inches, without flutes. Just don't know about the speed.

 

[Grand]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

22" is about right for a 7-08 hunting stick. Shorter stiffer tube will yeild more accuracy to boot.

 

[Crazy Dog ll]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Why did you chose the 7mm x08 cal over the .308 cal? I am thinking of a .308 or a .7mm x08. I would think the 7mm-08 cal would be better out to 1k. What experences have you had ?

 

[Graham]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Don't get caught up on a velocity target: bore diameter, barrel quality, construction and type are also factors that determine speed. A 22" 7/08 will kick .308 butt to infinity and beyond. For hunting, and if you reload, 7/08 is the way to go.

 

[Crazy Dog ll]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

And a little paper punching out to 1K ?

 

[Mike128]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Harold,
I don't have a range that goes to 1K around here. Only 600 and that is not the one I belong to. This is a hunting rifle for 300 yards max. I'm looking at shooting farther and use this site because of all the great information on it.

I decided on a 7-08 over the 260 because I already shoot a couple of different 7mms. It's easier to just buy one type of bullet for three rifles than buying for three different calibers. I think it'll pair nicely with my 7saum.

 

[Crazy Dog ll]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Okay ,Thanks. I am coming to a decsion as to whether 7mm X o8 vs .308. I'm starting to lean towards a Tactical Rifle too.

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Skip the fluting, On a 7mm with a #3 you aren't going to save hardly any weight at all. Go 7/08 with a 20 or 22. I am about to build on a surgeon round action as well. My specs will be
Surgeon Round action
21 sendero contour barrel
mcm adgustable htg
7/08 AI

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Say screw it and go 7mm RUM.... Built a couple and they shoot extremely well.

 

[mdesign]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .257</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Skip the fluting......</div></div>

+1 on the fluting.

If this is a 300yrd hunting gun, I would definately go with a 22" barrel.

My perference? I'd go with a 20" barrel on a #4 contour.

 

[ackleyfan]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

I have a 7mm08 with a 23" #3 Hart that is perfect in my opinion and carries great,don't get to hung up with speed your 7 saum will take care of that,have fun!

 

[Mike128]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Maybe you guys are right. What do you guys think of a 22 inch #2 countour? That should leave a muzzle diameter around .60 inch.

 

[jasonk]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Who's #2, some are different, but I do like where you're going. If Rock contour or close then I say go for it, it'll be light, handy and make 500 yard shots without issue.

 

[ejg]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

Only my opinion, 6x fixed scope .. a bog standard remmy would do.
For me a minimum of 12 mag to head shoot small deer at around 300yds. Often the only thing visible in high grass. Quality and ability of a rifle should go hand in hand with the optics. or?
I'm also for the 22", won't poke it into the mud so often.
edi

 

[chucknelson]

Re: GAP for a hunting rifle?

I'm half way through a 7-08 build on a LH 700 SA with a stainless 21" factory contour barrel, McMillan compact stock ADL, Williams steel trigger bow, and Talley LW's.